Purpose: This study assessed the effectiveness of Active Start, a community-based behavior change and fitness program, designed to promote physical activity among sedentary community-dwelling older adults. Design and Methods: A quasi-experimental design was used. Data were analyzed using a within-group pretest-post-test design to calculate changes…

With the belief that theoretical integration in motivation may help us better understand motivational behavior, we designed this study to explore adolescents' motivational profiles and their associations with knowledge acquisition, leisure-time exercise behaviors, and cardiorespiratory fitness. Middle school students from a large urban inner-city…

The most recent National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data (2003-2004) revealed that approximately 18% of children 6-to-19 years old are overweight. The Beacon Street Girls brand was specifically designed to entertain while providing healthy role models and positive messages. This article presents a study that tested whether an…

A recent survey of physical educators reveals that physical development--especially its more specific parts dealing with physical fitness--is thought to be the least important physical education objectives for grades K-2. Research is available on physical fitness as it relates to (1) incidence of childhood obesity, (2) cardiovascular endurance,…

This workbook is about producing the "Inquiry Brief" or "Inquiry Brief Proposal" for TEAC (Teacher Education Accreditation Council) accreditation. It is designed as a companion to the TEAC "Guide to Accreditation." The exercises in this workbook are selected by the writing workshop presenters to help program faculty get started on their "Brief."…

In today's society, young children have few experiences with aerobic activities, a pattern of exercise traditionally reserved for adults. This paper discusses how aerobic exercises can be used in a preschool environment, arguing that such activities are best presented using a thematic approach so that young children can form impressions about…

This document investigates the physical and psychological effects of sport-intensive training for children. The following questions are addressed as a preamble to tentative conclusions: (1) Is such training a hazard to the developing bones of the preadolescent? (2) Are there any special nutritional or thermoregulatory considerations for children…

Tai ji quan, also known as "tai chi," is an ancient Chinese exercise characterized by soft, slow, and meditative movements. It consists of a set of continuous, evenly paced, carefully choreographed, but natural, body shifts. "Tai ji" is an ancient Chinese philosophy, while "tai ji quan" refers to a type of physical activity based on tai ji…

The specificity of training principle from exercise physiology was tested in a motor skills learning context. (Author/JA)

Many age-related biologic and physiologic changes can have important influences on drug pharmacology in elderly persons. Successful management depends upon good communications among health care providers, fitness instructors, and the medication user. Each exerciser should be monitored and reviewed at regular intervals. Medications may be a…

Papers presented at a conference on recreation, exercise, and wellness for aging adults included: (1) "Leisure Activity in the 11th Hour or Physical Pursuits of Old Fossils" (Larry L. Neal); (2) "Exercise and Nutrition for the Senior Adult" (Michele Anderson and Jackie A. Smith); and (3) "Senior Wellness Advocacy Network--S.W.A.N.--An Experiment…