- Overuse injury prevention guideline: The recommended maximum weekly hours of moderate to vigorous physical activity for youth should generally not exceed their age in years (e.g., a 12-year-old should limit to under 12 hours/week).
- Upper limit on activity: There is an approximate upper cap for weekly activity around 18 to 20 hours, beyond which injury risk is very high.
- Rationale: Overuse injuries in youth result from repetitive stress on growing bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments, which can cause pain and damage if not managed properly.
- Importance of monitoring: Parents and coaches should monitor signs of overuse injuries and adjust activity levels accordingly to prevent long-term harm.
- Expert guidance: Consultation with pediatric sports medicine specialists can ensure safe training regimens and rapid injury treatment.
How Much Vigorous Activity is Good
Staying active is important, but how much vigorous activity should children be getting?
Keith Loud, MD, MSc, Pediatrics
