I mean specifically for very young children such as toddlers. It seems that, as a rule of thumb, they are much more physically motivante than the average (say, 30 years old or so) adults, barring those who actually practice regular exercise. Some children seem like they can run, climb and jump with a consistent timing for longer than many adults.
Is it because our own disposition has been ruined by a generally sedentary lifestyle?
In: Biology
They have a greater enthusiasm, that hasn’t yet been worn down by life, adults can if they feel the need put the effort in, but they are reluctant to do so.
Cuz they’re young (and I’m old af) ? I’m being serious – look at what can be accomplished with a new car va an old clunker.
Because they’re training every day and you’re barring adults that train?
Partially because humans are mostly sedentary these days. Someone who runs (and trains for) triathlons as a hobby probably could out-stamina a child.
However, weight is also a consideration. The lighter and smaller you are the less strain you put on muscles/joints/bones and the less energy you use.
One huge factor is that children have a tiny fraction of the body mass of an adult. When you weigh half, a quarter, an eighth, or less of someone else, moving around consumes way less energy.
Toddlers have less weight to carry around and are not aware of how expending a significant amount of energy on jumping around is going to affect them later in the day. Adults know there’s no point in expending valuable energy if it’s not necessary.
The mechanisms that allow toddlers to grow so quickly are largely fueled by aerobic metabolism. Basically they are absolutely full of energy and their muscles recover very quickly from fatigue. Some studies have shown young children have a metabolism similar to high performance endurance athletes.
They also nap constantly, they have zero stress and everything is new to them. Which means they are constantly well-rested with nothing to think about and plenty to be excited about.
Why do people who move around all day seem to have more energy than specifically people who don’t move around all day?
Couldn’t tell ya
They haven’t felt the boot of The Man on their neck yet.
No, in all seriousness, children get more sleep than adults, are generally exposed to less stress than adults, and are fed better (more nutritionally) than adults.
Toddlers get 12 hours of sleep every day and when they sleep, they are out cold. You can pick them up by their feet and they don’t wake up. If I got that much deep sleep, I could leap mountains, too.
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