title: Aerobic and strength exercises for youngsters aged 12 to 15: what do parents think?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although strength exercises evidently have both physiological and psychological health benefits across all ages, they are erroneously considered to adversely affect health status in youngsters. The aim of this study was to examine parental attitudes towards their child's physical activity in general, as well as aerobic and strength exercises in particular.
  
  
  METHODS
  In total, 314 parents from an online panel representative of the Dutch population completed an online survey about their own physical activity and that of their child (12-15 years old). The study also explored reasons for non-participation, and attitudes about the parents' own and their child's physical activity level.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Parents consistently reported a positive attitude towards aerobic exercises, but a less positive attitude regarding strength exercises. Parents were more likely to indicate that their child was not allowed to participate in strength exercises (29.6 %) than aerobic exercises (4.0 %). They thought that strength exercises could interfere with optimal physical development.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study consistently shows that parents have a positive attitude towards aerobic exercises, but a less positive attitude regarding strength exercises. We suggest testing interventions to increase parental understanding of the advantages of and possibilities for (e.g., facilities) strength training on their child's health.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Biology, Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University Medical Center+, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands. Gill.tenHoor@MaastrichtUniversity.nl.|Department of Work and Social Psychology, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands. Gill.tenHoor@MaastrichtUniversity.nl.
authors.forename: Gill A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: ten Hoor
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Promotion, Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University Medical Center+, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands. ester.sleddens@maastrichtuniversity.nl.
authors.forename: Ester F C
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Sleddens
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Promotion, Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University Medical Center+, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands. S.Kremers@MaastrichtUniversity.nl.
authors.forename: Stef P J
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Kremers
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University Medical Center+, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands. A.Schols@MaastrichtUniversity.nl.
authors.forename: Annemie M W J
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Schols
authors.affiliation: Department of Work and Social Psychology, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands. G.Kok@MaastrichtUniversity.nl.
authors.forename: Gerjo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kok
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Biology, Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University Medical Center+, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands. G.Plasqui@MaastrichtUniversity.nl.
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Plasqui
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000067697:Adolescent Health; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D000067576:Child Health; D002668:Child Rearing; D032882:Comprehension; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016487:Parenting; D010290:Parents; D055070:Resistance Training; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires