| Abstract | Inactivity levels among children are climbing at alarming rates, leading to research focused on cardiovascular health. However, a less known but severely dangerous childhood inactivity effect is the lack of activities that produce muscular strength (MusS) development. Appropriate MusS during childhood decreases the chances of diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and cancer while increasing bone mineral density, healthy blood lipid profiles, insulin sensitivity, mental health and quality of life dimensions. Increases in MusS also create efficient neuromuscular control (NC), allowing the child to exhibit more powerful and efficient movements. Developing appropriate MusS during childhood leads to physical, neurological, physiological, and cognitive advantage, leading to healthier, active future adults. Therefore, this dissertation explored movements beneficial for MusS and NC development in childhood, testing measures for assessing MusS and NC among children, and exploring outdoor, unstructured play as a means of promoting healthy MusS and NC development naturally for all children. |
