Describes causes of overweight and obesity in children; cites research linking good nutrition and a child's capacity to learn; includes six Web-based links to resources to help principals and teachers reduce the serious problem of overweight and obese children. (PKP)

An active lifestyle is important in helping overweight people both lose and manage their weight. Exercise has many health benefits beyond weight control. The traditional exercise prescription of regular bouts of continuous vigorous exercise may need modification to increase rates of adoption and compliance, with people needing encouragement to…

The SeniorCise booklet and program (based on the Transtheoretical Model of behavior change) were evaluated by 61 older adults; 91% said it helped them think about exercise and 72% engaged in exercise. Positive aspects were presentation, instructions, motivation, and ease of understanding. Few illustrations and lack of a Spanish edition were…

With all the extra demands that are placed on teachers during the months of May and June, the end of the year can be an extremely stressful time. This article describes several tips for diminishing the effects of end of year stress. The following relaxation tips are described: (1) Neck and Upper Shoulder Stretch; (2) Superman Stretch; (3) Doorway…

Near-infrared spectroscopy is currently used to assess changes in the oxygen saturation of the muscle during exercise. The primary purpose of this study was to assess the reliability of near-infrared spectroscopy in determining muscle oxygen saturation (StO[subscript 2]) in the vastus lateralis during cycling and the gastrocnemius during running…

The authors sought to determine whether a greater academic incentive would improve the effectiveness and student adherence to a 12-week voluntary exercise program designed to decrease students' percentage of body fat. They randomly assigned 210 students to 1 of 2 groups with different academic reward structures. The group with the greater reward…

"Of the many difficulties young writers may encounter when engaged in the complex act of writing, crafting sentences that accurately convey their intended meaning is particularly challenging. Sentence combining can provide systematic instruction in sentence-construction skills within an overall framework of the writing workshop."

Using data from a supplement to the 1995 National Health Interview Survey, this article examines the relationship among three major work and family roles - marriage, parenthood, and employment - and time spent on exercise among American men and women ages 18 to 64 N=13,496. As the time availability perspective suggests, work and family roles…

Qigong is a traditional Chinese exercise that is used to enhance health, vitality, and well-being. Some of the health benefits attributed to qigong include improved circulation, coordination, muscle tone, and flexibility. Scientists and researchers in the Eastern world have documented numerous medical benefits. While fewer Western medical studies…

The benefits of using virtual environments (VEs) in psychology arise from the fact that movements in virtual space, and accompanying perceptual changes, are treated by the brain in much the same way as those in equivalent real space. The research benefits of using VEs, in areas of psychology such as spatial learning and cognition, include…

Two classes from diverse graduate programs merged and melded for a weeklong intensive outdoor experience to learn how to be leaders for an outdoor challenge course. Physical Education graduate students and students in a Counselor Education program together participated in the Challenge Course, co-led by an Exercise Scientist and a Psychologist.…

In 2004, the Women's Sports Foundation published the first edition of "Her Life Depends On It" (Sabo et al.). At that time, it was clear that evidence-based research confirmed that regular physical activity and sport provides the critical foundation, in no small part, that allows girls and women to lead healthy, strong, and fulfilled lives. Now,…

Studies report that U.S. students rank among the lowest in the area of mathematical knowledge of all industrialized countries. Schools in the United States are producing graduates ill-prepared to be successful at jobs which require mathematical competency. To increase mathematical understanding, this study examined the inclusion of writing in…

This article explores the beneficial and sometimes unpredictable implications of a daily reflective writing exercise for introductory literature courses: the learning log. Pseudonymous samples of student writing, coupled with instructor commentary, gesture toward ways in which the learning log's continual implementation and modification foster a…

Athletic training was spawned from physical education in the 1960s, and since that time has evolved into a recognized health care profession. The majority of accredited athletic training education programs (ATEPs) are housed within academic units of kinesiology. However, the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) has recommended that ATEPs…