IRISH SOCIETY OF CHARTERED PHYSIOTHERAPISTS
Fascinating Facts!
Did you know….
• The longest bone in the body is in your
thigh and is called the femur
• The smallest bone in the body is in your ear
and is called the stapes
• A giraffe has the same number of bones in its neck
as a human adult
• A baby has about 350 bones while an adult
has only 206 bones
• Some animals have their skeleton outside their skin,
for example insects and spiders! They are called
exoskeletons.
• Without your skeleton, you would just be
one big blob!!!
For
more information,
please contact:
LET'S
KEEP
ACTIVE!
Irish Society of
Chartered Physiotherapists
St. Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, Ireland
Tel: +353 (0)1 402 21 48
Fax: +353 (0)1 402 21 60
www.iscp.ie
Images courtesy of Canada's Physical Activity Guides for Children & Youth, Health Canada, 2002.
Reproduced with the permission of the Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada, 2004.
Bones,
bones, bones!
Did you know a child has more bones than an adult?!
An adult has 206 bones but a child has many more.
As you get bigger your bones grow in to each other and
that is why NOW is the best time to build strong bones.
It Takes Three
Weight
bearing
exercises
+
Calcium
+
Vitamin
D
Weight
Bearing Exercises
for Healthy Bones
• Hopping • Skipping • Jumping • Gymnastics
Wheelbarrow races • Running • Karate • Handstands
• All types of dancing like hip hop, ballet and Irish dancing
• Hopscotch • GAA Football • Hurling & Camogie
• Rugby • Athletics • Tennis
• Hockey • Basketball
=
HEALTHY
BONES
WEIGHT BEARING EXERCISE
means you are on your hands or feet carrying your weight,
for example skipping, running, dancing, football,
gymnastics, handstands, wheelbarrow games …..
Can you think of some more?
Here
are some
activities to try……
Play hopscotch in school or at home
Have competitions with your friends to see
who can hop for the longest
Use the stairs instead of the lift
Go to dance classes or practice with your friends at home
Remember that ALL exercise is good for you!
Weight bearing exercises are essential for building
strong healthy bones but don’t forget other
exercises like swimming and cycling which are
good for your heart,
lungs & muscles.
And for an extra challenge…….
Keep an activity diary for a week
with your classmates or friends
Encourage your family
to participate too and see
who is the most active!!