Introduction: Examining the experiences of students with visual impairments about physical education can lead to a better understanding of how they perceive lessons, activities, and interactions with teachers and peers. Although research in this area of inquiry is growing, the existing literature is limited by geographic location. More…

Introduction: Youths with visual impairments (i.e., those who are blind or have low vision) often demonstrate reduced involvement in sports and related negative effects. This study looked at data from sports education camps to see whether involvement in this short-term intervention positively affected the performance of component sports skills…

Introduction: This study explored the relationship between first-time or repeat participation at a sports education camp and demographic variables of gender, age, race or ethnicity, measures of self-perception, body mass index (BMI), and physical activity in participants' communities. Methods: The study was a secondary data analysis of interview…

In Part III of the feature, physical educators and adapted physical educators offer current best practices as models of implementation for readers. Contributions included are: (1) Answer to the Dear Colleague Letter from the Anchorage School District's Adapted Sport Program (David Poulin); (2) Georgia's Adapted Physical Educators Response to the…

Pedometers are great equalizers. They are wonderful for students who don't have the speed of other students, but can still keep up by taking as many steps as other students while improving their fitness level. In this article, teachers describe how they are using pedometers creatively in classes to impact the level of physical activity.

This study analyzed the passing rates on five health-related fitness items on the Brockport Physical Fitness Test of youths aged 10-17 with visual impairments. It found that the youths had low passing rates on upper-body strength, cardiovascular endurance, and body composition. (Contains 2 tables.)

Childhood obesity may be an epidemic for American children in general, but experts say that for severely disabled youth, it is even worse. This article describes how in the spring of 2005, national leaders addressed the issue of childhood obesity particularly as it relates to disabled children. It was at this time that Secretary Tommy Thompson of…

This article discusses the project developed by the Southeast Island School District (SISD) to improve their physical education curriculum. The challenge faced by SISD was to determine a way to provide training that had immediate impact. An important aspect of the project was the incorporation of adventure activities--such as using kayaks,…

The rapid increase in the number of students with visual impairments currently being educated in inclusive general physical education makes it important that physical education instructors know how best to serve them. Assessment of the experiences of students with visual impairments during general physical education classes, knowledge of students'…

A program is described in which fifth graders in Alaska learn water survival techniques with school and community help. (DS)

Importing traditional, yet unknown, physical activities from different cultures is an exciting way to add creativity and imagination to the physical education curriculum. Explanations, accompanied by teaching hints, are given of several traditional Alaskan native games which have been successfully used with K-Six students in the Anchorage School…

The national push to address the rising problem of childhood obesity is especially relevant for students with disabilities, because experts say such students are more likely to be obese than their peers without disabilities. Despite the progress that has been made over the years to address the needs of children with disabilities, the vast majority…