Describes the current situation of physical education in American elementary, middle, and high schools, including fitness testing and the influence of outside agencies (state departments of education, professional associations, and colleges and universities). Recommendations are made to improve the situation for physical education, especially in…

Reconceptualizing physical education shifts emphasis from sports-centered programs to health-related fitness. Four program suggestions are discussed for improving long-term physical activity patterns of youth. Also discussed are two programs in transition being implemented by school districts in Georgia and Wyoming. (IAH)

Examined the effect of specialized teaching strategies to increase amounts of time spent in the training zone on middle school physical education students. Students' heart monitor data were compared with data from an earlier study without the teaching strategies. More students from the second study were within the training zone. (SM)

The effect of parental involvement in school-based exercise and nutrition education was investigated. Elementary students participated in school-home, school-only, or control groups. Pre- and posttesting on physical and knowledge measures indicated family involvement mainly helped improve flexibility and nutrition knowledge. School-based students…

Three older adults with severe/moderate mental retardation learned aerobic-type exercises in a group setting using a system of prompts and contingent praise. Prompt fading facilitated maintenance of the exercise skills in the absence of instruction, and skills were maintained at a nine-month follow-up assessment. However, only slight increases in…

This discussion of wellness for student leaders and student activities staff of higher education institutions offers guidance in identifying and reducing stressors. Specific recommendations include reducing expectations, relaxing, increasing physical fitness and activity, and adjusting eating habits. Individuals are encouraged to establish…

Presents issues in the fields of health and physical education, introducing new roles for the professions and providing challenges and direction for the future. The article discusses the impact of health and physical education on wellness, self-esteem, and values, explaining the resulting savings and benefits to society. (SM)

Examines alternate determinants of obesity, evaluates the efforts and results of current weight management programs, offers suggestions for change from traditional weight control programs, and discusses implications for health education. Comprehensive health education must include behavioral, cognitive, social, and nutritional components to…

Efficiently and inexpensively identifying athletes at risk for exercise-related sudden death is difficult. The article discusses types of cardiac disorders and outlines a practical screening method that features a cardiac history questionnaire designed to identify symptomatic athletes and those with a family history of congenital heart disease.…

Physical fitness of children with learning disabilities may be comparatively low. In a school-university cooperative program, four rural children with learning disabilities and their families participated in a 10-week fitness program that included nutrition education and family exercise activities. Results were positive and showed the need for…

Summarizes U.S. data from the 1997-98 World Health Organization Health Behavior in School-Aged Children Study, which examined the attitudes and experiences of children age 11, 13, and 15 years on various health behavior and lifestyle issues. Results are presented on: health and well-being; family relationships; school relationships; school…

Presents eight papers: "Physical Activity and Health"; "Exercise and Physical Health"; "Exercise and Physical Health: Cancer and Immune Function"; "Exercise and Psychosocial Health"; "Physical Activity, Health, and Wellbeing at Different Life Stages"; "Descriptive Epidemiology of…

Discusses common misconceptions about physical activity among children (e.g., children are fragile, children are miniature adults, girls are not interested in physical activity, and all skills are motor skills), offering alternatives for change (e.g., recognizing children's unique physical activity needs, promoting opportunities for girls, and…

Presents information on physical activity levels in young children. Provides guidelines for appropriately promoting physical activity in early childhood classrooms, focusing on movement concepts of body, space, effort, and relationship. Includes appropriate teaching strategies and activities. Concludes that guided movement instruction helps…

Describes the authors' experiences in jogging together. States that, for them, the act of running became a perceptive starting point or practice for better understanding the world and their place in it. Adds that the running experience also informed the runners' research relationship. (Contains 28 references.) (NB)