Students' self-testing experiences and the proper use of reinforcement by teachers are components of the ongoing process to shape fitness behaviors during the school years and beyond. (IAH)

Exercises and classroom activities that familiarize students with the "human body machine" are the focus of this article which addresses the decline in elementary student health and fitness. A reproducible worksheet, "Benefits of Exercise Worksheet", is included. (IAH)

Movement activities which utilize a rectangular chute are described. The chute, in addition to its motivational qualities, can be employed in several fitness areas--flexibility, muscular strength and endurance, and cardiorespiratory endurance. (IAH)

This article describes an exercise program for children. "Shapes for Kids," takes the same 30-minute approach at the Curves workout for women. The program is set up using 20 stations, which rotate upper-body work, abdominal exercises, lower-body work, and cardiovascular exercises. Some stations combine more than one component. Children change…

Guidelines for teaching complex psychomotor skills are presented in three phases: 1) introductory, 2) practice, and 3) perfecting. The introductory phase of the model involves the preparation of the student for learning, the providing of information, and analysis of the skill. The second phase is concerned with the observation of student practice…

The papers included in this publication encompass research studies in physical fitness, the physiology of exercise, anthropometry, motor learning, teaching methodology, and personality. Many of these papers accentuate physical components; others identify different variables in the composite of personality such as the mental, social, and emotional…

This book investigates brain structures and functions of the brain's five major systems (emotional, social, cognitive, physical, and reflective), applying findings from neuro-biology to education. It translates neuroscience into an educational framework for lesson planning and teaching. This framework can serve as a mental model for an ongoing…

Swimming teachers and coaches can improve their feedback to swimmers, when correcting or refining swim movements, by applying some basic biomechanical concepts relevant to swimming. This article focuses on the biomechanical considerations used in analyzing swimming performance. Techniques for spotting and correcting problems that impede…

"Jog around the World" is an interdisciplinary, schoolwide activity. Each class collaborates to jog the equivalent of the earth's circumference during the school year, learning about the different areas as they go. The program develops cardiovascular fitness, builds responsibility, and is a unifying force within the school. (SM)

This paper presents survey results from 70 physical education departments in Washington State high schools on their current student fitness strategies and how they rated each strategy. Also included are brief discussions on recent innovative strategies and recommendations based on survey findings. (GLR)

This article describes Success in Physical Activity, a program for students with autism. The program, based on adaptations of the Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communications-Handicapped Children (TEACCH) recreational structure program, focuses on two areas: physical fitness and motor ability. (Contains seven references.)…

This article applies the principles and concepts of the aesthetics of movement to actual physical education teaching situations. It does so by discussing the author's one-day observations of several middle school physical education classes taught by three different teachers. During these classes, the teachers taught students how to calculate and…

Martina Bergman-Osterberg came to London from Sweden versed in the theory and practice of Swedish gymnastics as taught by Per Henrik Ling (1776-1881), and introduced his system into British schools, first while working for the London School Board and subsequently by establishing the Dartford College of Physical Training. This paper examines the…

Physical education is still taught in outdoor settings in many warmer climates of the United States. Even when indoor facilities are available, physical education may be moved outside because of other curricular needs or facility issues. How can physical educators make the outdoor setting seem more like an indoor classroom? Outdoor teaching…

Disc activities are an excellent elementary content area for both skill and fitness enhancement. They may occur through progressive skill and drill practice, small sided-game examples, modifications of traditional disc activities appropriate to large groups, and with adjustments designed to increase activity and fitness levels. For games in this…