Exercise and Physical Activity

Grade 1 · Health · Study Guide

Learn why moving your body every day keeps you healthy and strong.

Exercise means moving your body in ways that make your heart beat faster and your muscles work hard. When you run, jump, swim, or play, you are exercising!

Exercise is very important for your body. It helps your heart grow strong, builds your muscles, and gives you energy to play and learn. Kids need about 60 minutes of active play every day.

There are many fun ways to exercise. You can ride a bike, dance, play tag, swim, do gymnastics, or play soccer. Even walking to school counts as exercise!

Exercise is also good for your brain. When you move around, your brain gets more oxygen, which helps you think and learn better at school. Exercise can also make you feel happy when you are sad or worried.

Remember to drink water when you exercise because your body needs water to work well. Always warm up before exercising by doing some light movements, and rest when you feel tired.

Key terms

exercise
Moving your body in ways that make your heart beat faster and your muscles work
muscle
A part of your body that helps you move; it gets stronger when you exercise
heart
The organ in your chest that pumps blood through your body; exercise makes it stronger
energy
The power your body uses to move and do things
warm up
Light movements you do before exercising to get your body ready

Flashcards

exercise
Moving your body to make your heart and muscles work harder
heart
An organ in your chest that gets stronger when you exercise
muscle
A body part that helps you move and gets stronger with exercise
energy
The power your body needs to run, jump, and play
warm up
Easy movements you do before exercising to get ready
active play
Playing in ways that make your body move a lot, like running or jumping
oxygen
A gas in the air that your body breathes in; exercise helps your brain get more of it
rest
Stopping activity so your body can recover and feel better

Questions

  1. How many minutes of active play do kids need every day?

    1. 30 minutes
    2. 60 minutes
    3. 10 minutes
    4. 90 minutes
    Show answer

    Answer: 60 minutes

    Kids need about 60 minutes of active play every day to stay healthy.

  2. Exercise helps make your heart stronger.

    Show answer

    Answer: True

    Exercise makes your heart stronger because it pumps harder when you are active.

  3. Which of the following is an example of exercise?

    1. Watching TV
    2. Playing tag outside
    3. Reading a book
    4. Taking a nap
    Show answer

    Answer: Playing tag outside

    Playing tag is active movement that makes your heart beat faster, which is exercise.

  4. You should drink _______ when you exercise because your body needs it to work well.

    Show answer

    Answer: water

    Water keeps your body working well when you exercise and prevents dehydration.

  5. Exercise is only good for your body, not your brain.

    Show answer

    Answer: False

    Exercise helps your brain too — it gets more oxygen, which helps you think and learn better.

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