Adventure racing got started in the 1990s. The Eco-Challenge and Primal Quest races were multi-day events that included challenging physical activities and extreme conditions. Today, highly publicized adventure races like the Eco-Challenge and Amazing Race usually feature elite athletes or celebrities completing exotic tasks or globe-hopping to…

Service learning has been utilized as an effective type of pedagogy, and students involved in service learning projects gain real-world experiences outside the classroom. Research suggests that intergenerational service learning projects are becoming increasingly common and such projects are likely to enhance the quality of both academic and civic…

Several recent studies have shown that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are less physically active than their typically developing peers and are thus at risk of health problems associated with inactivity (e.g., obesity or diabetes). There is a need to examine the effectiveness of interventions such as swimming that are aimed at…

Although it is assumed that the values learned in physical activity-based youth programs can be applied in other areas of life, the transfer of values has not been widely explored. The purpose of this article is to address the transfer issue as it relates to physical activity programs and school cultures. The article begins with an overview of the…

Background: Strength training (ST) is an important health behavior for aging women; it helps maintain strength and function and reduces risk for chronic diseases. This study assessed change in physical fitness following participation in a ST program implemented and evaluated by community leaders. Method: The StrongWomen Program is a nationally…

Objective: Physical activity can reduce the risk of several chronic diseases. Such diseases are most prevalent in economically-disadvantaged groups where physical activity levels are consistently lower. There is a need to engage disadvantaged groups in programmes to increase physical activity. This case study examined programmes on offer in a…

Researchers from the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University prepared a case study of CODES (Community Outreach and Development Efforts Save). CODES is a coalition of 35 people and organizations in northern Manhattan committed to promoting safe streets, parks and schools. The case study analyzed the factors that prompted CODES'…

A community program established to encourage regular walking for exercise and pleasure is described. (JD)

The Richmond Volleyball Association is an example of a meaningful sports program offered to urban school children and developed as a result of individual physical education student interest. (MJB)

This study analyzes the Soviet award system, in particular the Prepared for Word and Defense (PWD) program. The PWD program is composed of five stages and embraces people from ages 10 to 60. Each stage has a section of requirements and a section of norms, which take into consideration age variations. The norms section, which is the most important…

In this study, the researchers aim to compare the personal attributes and experiences of children who met or exceeded physical activity guidelines with those who did not. By creating profiles, the researchers could compare motor performance, physical fitness, self-efficacy, time spent outdoors during physical activity, social support from friends…

This article states findings on the fitness and physcial activity patterns of youth as determined from the National Children and Youth Fitness Study. The role and effectiveness of schools and parks and recreation programs in improving the fitness of youth is explored, and suggestions for parents and citizens are offered. (DG)

This study assessed recreational facilities for European children 5 to 15 years of age, and discussed the best means of meeting needs. The first chapter reviews the educational aspects of children's play--including physical, social, and creative development--as they pertain to various age groups. The second chapter considers the types of…