Thirty Black, Caucasian, and Mexican-American undergraduates rated photographs of infants of each race on physical attractiveness and 12 bipolar adjectives. Results indicated that strong expectations that "beauty-is-good" are elicited soon after birth for Caucasians and non-Caucasians. Activity in babies appears to be a negative…

This teacher resource focuses on athletic (track and field) skills. It includes various skills and activities that are designed to promote learning opportunities and motivate Alberta (Canada) students to run, jump, and throw. It emphasizes the physical skills that form the basis of the track and field events in the 8th IAAF World Championships in…

This report provides statewide data on Wisconsin middle and high school health education curriculum and policy. All regular public secondary schools were included in the school sampling frame. Data were collected via surveys of principals and lead health teachers regarding tobacco, physical education and activity, nutrition, HIV/AIDS, violence,…

A taxonomy which classifies different types of human movements heirarchically was developed for use in teacher education, curriculum development, and teacher behavior research. The taxonomy is related to M. Mosston's Three-Dimensional Model of Developmental Movement. The instruments permit an expanded and integrated way of categorizing movement…

A four-part taxonomy was used to analyze first-, third-, and fifth-grade children's ability to throw and to anticipate the position of a target. The children's performances were assessed under conditions in which both the thrower and the target were stationary, both were moving, and one was moving and the other stationary. (Authors/PP)

This study examined cardiovascular risk factors in Black first-year college students (N=238). Students completed surveys about blood pressure, cholesterol level, smoking, and physical activity. Results found low rates of high blood pressure, low awareness of cholesterol levels, and low numbers of students who smoked. Females had lower physical…

Examines the influence of media use on youth adiposity, dietary habits, and physical activity levels, noting that children and adolescents are increasingly turning to sedentary leisure time activities, which is leading to decreased physical activity levels, increased body mass index, and increased high- energy food intake. Current and future…

This study assessed the validity of the Children's Physical Activity Form, an observational instrument which measures the intensity of children's physical activity, by comparing observer judgments of subjects' (N=40) activity intensity level with min-by-min heart rate values. Results document the validity of the instrument for observing physical…

This article discusses the relationship between exercise, physical activity, and cardiorespiratory fitness. Data is presented from a study of 300 British children which indicated surprisingly low levels of physical activity, with significant differences occurring along age and gender lines. (IAH)

Research data on American youth physical fitness is inconclusive and insufficient to effectively compare past and present levels of activity (a component of fitness), although conclusive evidence does show more body fat. Intervention strategies for creating lifelong patterns of activity are discussed and positions of major medical associations are…

Six adults with both autism and moderate/profound mental retardation were assessed in a controlled environment for changes in frequency of maladaptive and stereotypic behaviors following nonexercise activities, general motor training activities, and aerobic exercise. Although antecedent aerobic exercise reduced undesirable behaviors, general motor…

In this study, researchers observed third graders' physical activity levels and associated variables in physical education classes in four Child and Adolescent Trial for Cardiovascular Health centers nationwide. Results found significant differences among centers for physical activity and lesson context variables. During free play, boys were more…

Reports a study that examined the utility of health and exercise locus of control and health and exercise value in predicting exercise behavior in 86 adults. Survey results indicated that exercise locus of control was a better predictor of exercise behavior than a more general measure of health locus of control. (Author/SM)

Discusses exercise-induced stress that results from motor unit recruitment, the impact of recruitment on selected systemic support systems, and some of the environmental overlays that affect the degree of physiological stress. Adaptations to sustained changes in physical activity and muscle and myotendinous injury induced by stress are examined.…

Essential hypertension is diagnosed with increasing frequency in children and adolescents. Studies indicate exercise can be a clinically useful treatment, though strenuous exercise may be contraindicated for some. The article discusses the physician's role in diagnosis, nonpharmacologic interventions, exercise safety and effectiveness, and…