Cardiovascular fitness is an important aspect of overall fitness, health, and wellness, and running can be an excellent lifetime physical activity. One of the most simple and effective means of exercise, running raises heart rate in a short amount of time and can be done with little to no cost for equipment. There are many benefits to running,…

This study examines the predictive utility of students' motivation (self-efficacy and task values) to their physical activity levels and health-related physical fitness (cardiovascular fitness and muscular strength/endurance) in middle school fitness activity classes. Participants (N = 305) responded to questionnaires assessing their self-efficacy…

The President's Challenge Physical Fitness Awards Program makes four awards: The Presidential Physical Fitness Award recognizes those students who score at or about the 85th percentile on all five tests; the National Physical Fitness Award for those in the 50th to 84th percentile; the Participant Award for those who fall below the 50th percentile…

Physical fitness as it relates to children is discussed. The importance of retaining children's enthusiasm for physical activity is emphasized. (MT)

Physical educators can help students set goals to achieve maximum physical fitness. Educators should continually assess students' progress toward their goals, repeatedly updating goals and activities for reaching the goals. The article explains how to determine students' fitness levels and includes a fitness components activity sheet and class…

The author argues that children's physical fitness is a pervasive social issue and that skillful moving must be the central goal of children's physical education. The next three articles are introduced as a thematic approach to the development of skillful moving. (MT)

A program of the Salt Lake City School District and the University of Utah, Operation C.H.A.M.P. (Children's Health and Movement Program), was designed to motivate elementary school children to do their best in physical education and fitness testing. The program is described. (MT)

A running program to increase the cardiovascular fitness levels of fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-grade children is described. Discussed are the running environment, implementation of a running program, feedback, and reinforcement. (MT)

The Biomechanical Principles and Movement Concepts Curriculum for third- through fifth-grade students is described. Basic movements and the amount of time each is to be taught are listed. Activities for application of dance to fitness based on biomechancial principles are given. (MT)

Gymnastics builds increasingly complex body management and control skills which are the basis for later learning. The demands for strength, speed, and agility help develop the overall physical capacity of children at this crucial stage. Themes for different age groups are offered. (MT)

Most children at a young age appear to enjoy creative movement and have some sense of rhythm. There is a need to implement a sound, theory-based, practical program in elementary schools. This article proposes such a program. (MT)

This publication explains the Halliwick Method of swim instruction for people with disabilities. The Halliwick Method emphasizes independent functioning in the water, obtained through the development of control over body movements and establishing physical and psychological comfort. Containing over 75 photographs, including underwater shots, this…

The Physical Fitness Unit for grades K-12 of the Roslyn Public Schools in New York provides students with the knowledge to develop and maintain a level of health-related physical fitness both in and out of school that minimizes the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. The unit teaches the interrelationship of physical fitness, exercise, and…

This article focuses on three aspects of kinesiology: training principles, technique, and class design as they relate to injury prevention. Recommendations for prevention of some common dance injuries are offered. (MT)

Appropriate regular physical activity produces significant health benefits. Physical education can promote such activity, but for lifetime fitness, people must move to higher-order objectives, such as establishing personal exercise programs. Ways physical educators can motivate students to enjoy a lifetime of fitness are presented. (MT)