Jogging and Children

Question
I have a nine year old daughter who is just beginning in jogging.  I am wondering if it is important at this age to track her heart rate, using a heart rate monitor.  We want her to be as safe as possible and would like to know if this is necessary, or just overkill.

Thank you for your help!

Answer
I'm not sure how great it would be to worry about heart rates with her jogging, as I imagine it doesn't last too long?  Usually kids will tire out quickly if their heart rates become too high, and they'll back off.  It is more important not to push too much of it with her (the jogging part, pushing more & more jogging).  It is probably better if she just gets into it and is given a 'have fun' ticket with the exercise, moreso than trying to teach her about heart rates & prescribing workout intensities.  

If I may ask, is she running on a treadmill, an indoor track, and/or outside with someone?  It is important not to have her run for too long of a distance or time.  Basically have her stop when she starts to feel tired, and that is usually the safe point to stop.  She can try walking & jogging back & forth within a workout, but really, there should be no set point here for mileages or times to attain, just let her have fun with the activity itself.

Rick Karboviak