The study examined the sensitivity to change of field assessments of handgrip strength and vertical jump following programmatic interventions in physical education settings. Using a naturalistic experimental design, classes of 6th grade students (N = 158) were randomized to receive either an 8-week musculoskeletal strength or plyometric power…

Background/Purpose: Before school exercise programs (BSEPs) give students time for breakfast and add time to their daily physical activity. However, the effects of BSEP on physical fitness and academic achievement in the classroom remain unclear. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of BSEP on cardiorespiratory fitness and academic…

Purpose: This study examined the test-retest reliability and feasibility of select fitness assessments in 7-12 year old children on the autism spectrum. Method: Participants (N = 14; n = 1 female; Mage = 9.5 ± 1.7 years) completed 7 fitness assessments, administered in a random order, on two occasions--Bruce protocol; Modified 6-minute walk test…

The purpose of this article is to provide information on how to teach a Sport Education fitness season with the intent to improve students' physical activity, fitness development, and health-related fitness knowledge as to work towards achieving SHAPE America's goal of 50 Million strong. Readers are provided with a daily lesson schedule, detailed…

The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of four warm-up protocols on agility, strength, static and dynamic flexibility in primary school students. The participants were forty-four students of a primary school (19 boys and 25 girls) and the mean age of the children was 11.7±0.47. All of them executed, in four different days, one of…

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influences of a structured after-school program on student physical activity for third- through fifth-grade students at five schools in southern Colorado. The study utilized a pretest-posttest intervention design in which six elementary schools in a low socioeconomic status school district in southern…

Although there is a growing consensus about the positive relationship between prevention of overweight/obesity and academic performance in children, relevant studies targeting the relationship between underweight and academic performance are scarce. This study aimed to examine the longitudinal relationship of favorable weight change to academic…

Background: The World Health Organization recommends that children should participate in sufficient PA by engaging in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity for at least 60 min daily per week. Schools are important settings for the promotion of children's physical activity. Through commuting, break times, and physical education lessons they…

The purpose of this study is to determine the overweight and obesity prevalence among students studying in primary school by ages and to reveal the relation with physical activity. 1946 students aged between 7 and 11 and receiving primary education in a district of Manisa province have participated in this study. There are 885 female students and…

The purpose of this study was to examine the determinants of benefits and barriers and their relationship with physical activity (PA) among predominantly Latino middle school students. Data were collected in a cross-sectional survey of 4,773 seventh-grade students recruited from a large, urban school district in Los Angeles. Hierarchical logistic…

Over the past decade many muscular strength and endurance routines have been introduced to children and adults toward improving overall health and fitness. When performed correctly, there are countless benefits to performing weight bearing resistance-type exercises to develop the upper, lower, and core areas of the body. The National Association…

BAckground: Reversing decline in physical fitness and increase in excess body weight in school children are considered major public health challenges. We evaluated a proposed model to integrate a screening and healthy exercise, eating, and lifestyle program (HEELP) into primary schools in Canberra, Australia. Objectives were: (1) to establish body…

Even with school-based efforts, many young people remain inactive. For school-age children, physical activity levels may be increased through participation in physical education or other organized physical activities throughout the school day. The implementation of a comprehensive school physical activity program (CSPAP) within the school…

There is a growing need for physical education teachers to integrate different types of fitness activities into their lessons in order to provide opportunities for all students to learn and practice a variety of movement skills that will enhance their physical fitness and support free-time physical activity. An increased focus on age-appropriate…

Physical education should have a powerful and positive impact on students' ability and desire to be physically active for a lifetime. Increasing physical activity continues to be a national priority because of the positive physical and mental health benefits associated with an active lifestyle (Pangrazi & Beighle, 2010). To promote these…