A study of the effectiveness of Washington State University's aerobic dance program showed that participation in the program did not improve students' cardiovascular fitness. Aerobics instructors should be trained to use pulse rate and other principles of exercise physiology to make their work more effective. (PP)

This book provides evidence that the pedometer is an effective tool for teaching students about physical activity, improving teaching and facilitating program accountability. It covers all the basics of starting a pedometer program, including how to use and store the devices. It also offers special considerations for school settings (e.g.,…

This book presents six units filled with games, hints, and special game variations for teaching elementary school physical education classes. It is intended to help physical education teachers increase the time students are active in class, minimize discipline problems, develop healthy attitudes that lead to a lifetime of physical activity, save…

Noting that infants should be encouraged to be physically active from the beginning of life to enhance physical and cognitive development, this statement provides teachers, parents, caregivers, and health care professionals with guidelines that address the kinds of activities, the environment, and the individuals responsible for facilitating very…

This Digest discusses the importance of and ways to foster activity and exercise in children. Following an introduction, the Digest is organized into four sections. The first section deals with the significant health benefits of physical activity, including: reduction in chronic disease risk; lowered risk of colon cancer; increase in bone density;…

This publication examines influences on the present and future physical activity levels of adolescents, noting that the adolescents' physical activity habits, as well as other risk factors, are likely to track into the adult years. Section 1 discusses physical activity in adolescence, noting that adolescence is a time when physical activity tends…

Describes a survey that collected information about perceived activity participation levels, health status, income, social supports, and life satisfaction of participants in a nutritional lunch program for the elderly. Results showed that perceptions of the above factors were significant predictors of life satisfaction. (NJ)

Outcomes of fantasy play training were compared with those of nonfantasy/skills training in English nursery classes and play groups. Children receiving fantasy play training engaged in cooperative play more than did those receiving skills training, played more often in larger subgroups, and were more physically active. Most effects were present at…

The perceptual responses of individuals at different levels of physical fitness to absolute exercise intensities were compared. Perceived exertion, as measured by the Rating of Perceived Exertion scale, did not discriminate between subjects who were physically fit and those who were not, despite differences in physiological strain. (Author/PP)

To maintain good health, one must learn to deal with stress and its physical responses. Included in this article about stress is an Activity Level Self-Assessment, an instrument that lists normal, daily activities and totals the amount of time spent doing them. (CJ)

Children who actively take part in sports are susceptible to special injury risks because their bodies are still growing. Parents should keep both the child's individual physical and emotional makeup and the demands of the sport in mind when selecting an activity. Proper training methods and equipment are discussed. (PP)

A path analysis model was applied to data on (N=98) older Mexican Americans. Measures of perceived intergenerational solidarity and activity were treated as intervening variables between health and socioeconomic status and life satisfaction. The addition of intergenerational solidarity to the variables contributed significantly to the explanation…

Teaching implications for the instruction of mentally retarded persons in the skill of overarm throwing are provided. A sequence is described that allows instructors to observe both body part actions (components) and whole body patterns (profiles), which makes it amenable to the task analysis approach. (JN)

A relationship between an anomaly of the footprint suggested by ancient Abhidhamma meditations and Minor Physical Anomalies Scale was observed in children. The footprint anomalies correlated with the activity levels of children in the same way as the scores on the scale and consistently with prior research using the scale. (Author/RD)