The 10-volume "Health Facts" series is intended to supplement health education curricula and to provide a handy reference for individuals who would like additional background information on particular health topics. The emphasis is placed on topics and examples relevant to youth of middle and high school age. The five sections in this…

A variety of topics on human development is covered in this annual report. The 11 articles are: (1) "Young Children's Personifying and Vitalistic Biology" (Kayoko Inagaki and Giyoo Hatano); (2) "Acoustic Analysis of Natural Maternal Speech to Preschool Language Impaired and Normal Children" (Debora L. Scheffel and Murray…

The report summarizes findings from an examination of the physical fitness of orthopedically and sensory impaired students (10-17 years old). Physical fitness was hypothesized to include six areas: body composition, muscular strength/endurance, speed, agility, flexibility, and cardiorespiratory endurance. A chapter on methods details subject…

The use of motor ability tests to achieve sex-fair ability groups should be considered from three standpoints--task specificity, sex differences, and individual learning differences. Motor ability is frequently described as an individual's present ability to perform motor skills. Although several motor ability tests have been constructed for…

The effects of exercise in children can be assessed by physiological measures of the respiratory and cardiovascular body functions and by anthropometric measures of body composition and maturation. Several methods and techniques in these areas are available to the researcher and practitioner for attempting to assess the physiological aspect of…

Children with cerebral palsy frequently receive therapeutic intervention to remediate standing balance deficits. Evaluation of the impairments associated with poor balance could facilitate more effective treatment programs. This study evaluated the relationship between lower extremity force production, range of motion and standing balance in…

This volume of abstracts describes papers written on the following topics: (1) Strength Physiology; (2) Learning Disabilities (motor); (3) Physiology - General; (4) Work Capacity; (5) Measurement and Recreation; (6) Biomechanics; (7) Professional Preparation (physical education); (8) Muscle Performance; (9) Sociology of Sport; (10) History of…

This guidebook is designed for teachers of physical education at both the elementary and secondary levels. It is divided into six sections. The first section presents an overview of the scope and purpose of physical education in the schools. Discussions are included on developmental objectives, growth characteristics, physical fitness, safety in…

This paper defines a variety of fitness components, using a simple multidimensional hierarchical model that is consistent with recent definitions in the literature. It groups the definitions into two broad categories: product and process. Products refer to states of being such as physical fitness, health, and wellness. They are commonly referred…

Purpose: Our study identified factors common to a variety of populations and settings that may promote or inhibit uptake and adherence to falls-related interventions. Design and Methods: Semistructured interviews to assess perceived advantages and barriers to taking part in falls-related interventions were carried out in six European countries…

This collaboration between teachers in Saint Lucia (West Indies) and Peace Corps volunteers offers a comprehensive physical education program for children and youth ages 10-18 years, including lesson plans, evaluation and assessment techniques, and psychological and physical growth and development characteristics for this age group. The program is…

A study focused on developmentally delayed children who participated in a home-based, parent intervention motor development program. The major question considered was: Is there any difference in gross and fine motor mean scores obtained on the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales (field test edition), received by children who participated in the…

This teacher guide describes a parent education course designed to develop the skills of preschool and elementary school children by introducing parents to a number of learning activities suitable for implementation at home. The guide contains a series of seven lesson plans focusing on: (1) what the child learns in the primary grades, (2) how the…

Personnel selection processes for physically demanding jobs often discriminate against women, minorities, and handicapped individuals. Developing and validating job-related performance tests requires the assessment of the physical demands of a job and of the same physical capabilities in individuals. Job analysis is a systematic assessment…

The sport of artistic gymnastics is viewed from a multidisciplinary point of view. The training, performance, and judgment of the sport undergo specialized study of interest to sport scientists, teachers, coaches, and athletes. Organized into five major sections, the book presents such themes as the psychological, physiological, biomechanical,…