The authors investigated vigorous physical activity, psychological well-being, and self-reported illness during transition to first-year university life in a sample of 175 Canadian under-graduates. At the completion of their first year of university study, participants completed retrospective measures assessing vigorous physical activity, upper…

Purpose: We present final outcomes from the multiple-component Fit and Strong! intervention for older adults with lower extremity osteoarthritis. Design and Methods: A randomized controlled trial compared the effects of this exercise and behavior-change program followed by home-based reinforcement (n = 115) with a wait list control (n = 100) at 2,…

The Academic Learning Time in Physical Education (ALT-PE) instrument is a popular research tool for investigations of student engagement patterns in physical education settings. This study examined student engagement patterns in a large Canadian urban center measured with the 1982 version of the ALT-PE instrument in a variety of secondary physical…

The present study investigated whether infants of mothers who were depressed postpartum would behave like infants of non-depressed mothers who simulated depression. A total of 24 mothers and their 3-month-old infants were videotaped during face-to-face interactions. All mothers were given the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the State-Trait…

This booklet gives parents suggestions for helping their children's motor development by careful selection of physical activities and sports from birth through the teen years. In each of three sections, comprising birth to five years, six to twelve years, and the teen years, brief introductory passages discuss skill development and give specific…

This book provides guidance on what high-quality movement programs for young children should include, offering a curricular foundation, strategies for teaching, and assessment ideas. It defines and illustrates specific interrelated components of developmentally appropriate practice in providing movement education for young children. There are…

Regular physical activity, fitness, and exercise are critically important for all people's health and wellbeing. It can reduce morbidity and mortality from many chronic diseases. Despite its well-known benefits, most U.S. adults, and many children, are not active enough to achieve these health benefits. Physical inactivity and related health…

This document presents content and performance standards for physical education in Nevada's public schools. The five content standards are: students will understand and apply movement concepts and principles to the learning and development of motor skills; students will demonstrate competency in many movement forms and proficiency in a few…

For the past 50 years, poor physical health of adolescents has been a concern in the U.S. The obesity rate has tripled from 5% in 1980 to 15% in 2000. With more emphasis placed on high stakes standardized tests, the priority of physical education classes has taken a back seat. Based on a survey done in 2003, slightly more than half of the states…

A study investigated changes in children's physical fitness during summer vacation. Children's cardiorespiratory fitness decreased, as did their body weight, especially for boys. Fall curriculum offerings should be designed to accommodate detrained students. (PP)

Physical fitness, sports, and recreation are as necessary for the handicapped as for the nonhandicapped. Recreational opportunities for handicapped children involving horseback riding, square dancing, and skiing are described, and changing attitudes on the subject are explained. (PP)

Several simple performance tests are described for assessing an athlete's major energy-producing capabilities. The tests are suitable for mass screening because they are easy to administer, require no sophisticated equipment, and can be done quickly. Information for evaluating test results is included. (PP)

Analyzes why so many adults are inactive by examining how children are introduced to physical activity, focusing on two behavioral principles that are germane to turning children on to physical activity (fun and self-worth), reviewing practices that violate these principles, and speculating about why the principles get violated. (SM)

Reviewed research on school-based obesity prevention programs to identify ways to minimize increasing obesity levels. Seven studies showed change in body mass index and differed from those not finding change in three ways: program implementers were not classroom teachers, intervention targeted middle or high schools, and inactivity reduction was…

This report summarizes results from the national survey, 24 state surveys, and 9 local school-based surveys of U.S. high school students. Categories of behaviors monitored are: behaviors that contribute to unintentional and intentional injuries, tobacco use, alcohol and other drug use, sexual behaviors, dietary behaviors, and physical activity.…