1. Physical Activity and the School Program
chapter 1
Physical Activity and the School Program

2. The Problem and Why Physical Activity Is Important
1996 surgeon general’s report was released.
Prevalence of overweight children has doubled in past 20 years (to 18.8% in 2004).
Overweight children become overweight adults.
Obesity is second only to smoking as a cause of premature death.
Obesity is a major cause of chronic diseases that are preventable.
It is a major burden on the economy.

3. How Did We Get in This Shape?
Lifestyle issues
Technology makes things easier.
Children can’t go out and “play.”
Sedentary activities occupy too much time.
School programs
No Child Left Behind emphasizes academics.
Physical education (PE) programs and time for PE have decreased.
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4. How Did We Get in This Shape? (continued)
Community changes
Neighborhood schools have been replaced by larger, more distant schools.
People shop at mega malls rather than walking to stores.
Busy lives make it difficult to find time for physical activity.

5. The Contributions of Physical Activity
Growth and development
Builds strong bones and muscles
Controls blood pressure and cholesterol levels
Benefits all systems in the body
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6. The Contributions of Physical Activity (continued)
Social and emotional well-being
Play is an important human behavior.
Physical play is a major contributor to the development of social skills and the well-being of adults.
Children who develop skills early in life become participants later in life.
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7. The Contributions of Physical Activity (continued)
Cognitive functioning and academic performance
Physical activity enhances cognitive functioning.
Physical activity increases academic performance.
Physical activity is a great medium for learning academic content.
Physical activity decreases behavior problems in classrooms.

8. Physical Activity, Fitness, and Exercise
Physical activity: any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that results in energy expenditure
Physical fitness: a set of attributes that are either health or skill related
Exercise: a subset of physical activity that is planned, structured, and repetitive and is done to improve or maintain physical fitness

9. Fitness Health related:
Cardiorespiratory endurance
Flexibility
Body composition
Muscular strength and muscular endurance
Skill related: balance, agility, power, reaction time, speed, and coordination

11. Relationship Between Fitness and Physical Activity
For young children the relationship is not strong.
Effort should focus on physical activity and NOT fitness.
Fitness will follow participation in physical activity (PA).
Emphasis should be on health-related fitness in the school program.

12. Factors That Affect Physical Activity
Where you live
Gender
Age
Parent activity
Opportunity
Race
Socioeconomic status
Success in physical activities
Perception of value of PA

13. National Recommendations for Physical Activity
Children, adolescents, and adults should get the majority of their PA from lifestyle activities.
At least some PA should come from either active aerobic activities or active sport and recreation.
It is also important to maintain flexibility and muscular strength through activities that make you stretch or overload the muscles.
Long periods of inactivity are to be avoided at all ages.
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14. National Recommendations for Physical Activity (continued)
Physical activity does not have to be strenuous to be beneficial.
The level of intensity is typically described as moderate or vigorous and is based upon the amount of energy used by the body during activity.

15. Figure 1.1

16. Physical Activity Recommendations for Children
Children should participate in several short bouts of physical activity in a day.
Children should be encouraged and provided opportunities to participate in a variety of activities that are
age appropriate and
enjoyable.
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17. Physical Activity Recommendations for Children (continued)
Children should do 60 minutes or more of physical activity daily. The activity time should include
Aerobic activity: should be mostly at either a moderate or a vigorous intensity level and should include vigorous intensity at least three days a week
Muscle strengthening: at least three days a week
Bone strengthening: at least three days a week
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18. Physical Activity Recommendations for Children (continued)
Children have short attention spans, and long-duration activities do not keep their attention.
The idea of “future health” is usually not effective in motivating children. They need evidence of success for motivation.
Children need more intermittent activity with frequent short recovery periods.
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19. Physical Activity Recommendations for Children (continued)
High intensity may have more benefits but may also reduce persistence in some children.
Self-efficacy (a feeling that you can be successful) in physical activity is important to build in younger years to promote a lifetime of physical activity adherence.
Children can learn to be inactive if they are not given the opportunities to be active when they are young.

21. Physical Activity Recommendations for Adolescents
A minimum of 30 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week and 20 minutes of vigorous activity at least three days of the week
Two models for adolescents:
Lifetime Activity Model (e.g., yard work, housework, games and sports)
Exercise Prescription Model (e.g., jogging, exercise machines, curl-ups, push-ups, weight training)
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22. Physical Activity Recommendations for Adolescents (continued)
Only about half of U.S. adolescents (ages 12-21) regularly participate in vigorous physical activity.
Most activity should be at Level 1 of the physical activity pyramid.
Adolescents can sustain longer bouts of more intense activities than children.
They need to include Level 3 activities.

23. Physical Activity Recommendations for Adults
A minimum of 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity most days of the week (e.g., brisk walking)
A minimum of 20 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity (e.g., jogging, running, using aerobic gym equipment) three days a week
Strength training (e.g., weightlifting)—should be incorporated two days a week

24. Solutions Come With a Comprehensive Approach
Communities
Schools
Parents
Government policy making