Building/Gaining Muscle Tone

hi -
there is no way to permanently change your child’s muscle tone. Neurologically, muscle tone cannot be changed under voluntary control, regardless of exercise and diet. That being said it depends on what your goals are. if your child has low muscle tone that is impacting his/her ability to engage in certain activities – such as sitting at a desk and engage in writing/other desk top activities -- then you can perform activities to increase awareness (short term) of his body/muscles/joint to increase his/her success. Remember that depending on how low tone a person is they can be completely functional (there are varying degrees – from mild to moderate to severe – mild is decreased ability to move against gravity with good speed and accuracy and severe low tone would be not being able to lift your body against gravity).

here is a link to a handout on line that maybe helpful (depending on the age of your child): http://www.rch.org.au/emplibrary/ot/InfoSheet_C.pdf

I'd say that if you feel your child's low tone is impacting his/her ability to engage in daily activities consider asking about a physical therapy or occupational therapy evaluation.

Most kids just need regular play based activities like running and climbing. Keep in mind that chidren are not able to build muscle mass and should not do weight lifting type excercises until after they hit puberty. That is unless they are working with a pt for special needs or for rehab after a broken a bone or injury.

If you child has a specific condition you need to speak with the doctor and a physical therapists. I know of some disorders that certain exercises are not necessarily helpful as you would think they are. It also depends on the age of the child. I would think that most normal activities would help to increase the tone - running, climbing, throwing balls, riding a bike, etc.

How old is the child?

Running, walking, jumping, sit ups, etc., all help. Bike riding, playing catch helps too.

There are exercise videos you can do with your kids, but you can also build muscle tone just by playing in the back yard. We have a trampoline and a rope swing. Both can build muscle. You might also consider bike riding, roller blading, or running.

I don't know how old you are, but revert back to those P.E. days....skipping, hopping, jumping, running, crab walk, seal walk, etc. ALL of those! Fun and challenging for ALL ages. I HIGHLY encourage adults to do the same!!!

It really depends on their age. For my children when they were infants I did the bicycle with their legs and for their arms would let them grasp my fingers and then lift a little for just a couple of seconds at a time. Toddlers that are walking are always on the go but you could put things on the floor that they find particularly interesting so they will squat to pick it up. Letting them go up and down a couple of stairs is a muscle builder also. For their arms just letting them carry things around like a small bucket filled with toys and have them lift it to you is an idea. For older children any physical activity you can get them to do like walking, riding a bike, (trike) pulling weeds, moving rocks, taking the stairs or going to the local park and shooting the basketball. As you can see most of these are everyday or what some would consider normal activities. The point is unless your Dr. has recommended specific exercise for some reason (you should talk to a physical therapist) everyday activities should be good. Sometimes though if we don't engage them or do the activities with them they will become bored quickly and give up. My five older children entertained each other but when we moved into town the youngest one lost out on the outside time that the others enjoyed. I hope this helps and may God bless you.