While much of the industrialized world struggles for clues to the growing rise in obesity in their respective countries, researchers and service providers involved in understanding the health characteristics and health behaviors of persons with intellectual disability (ID) struggle with their own issues regarding the increased prevalence of…

This guide is a compilation of material critical to incarcerated women and to women in the community who have a history involving the criminal justice system. It provides them with a framework for analyzing problems, formulating strategies for change, and crafting solutions. Section 1 deals with negotiating the prison system. Six chapters address…

Explains the basic constructs of the transtheoretical model, which offers an explanation of the structure of change that occurs when adults attempt to change behavior. The paper discusses application of strategies that physical educators in postsecondary and community settings may employ to facilitate the adoption and maintenance of physical…

Most colleges and universities provide physical fitness classes plus courses teaching basic concepts of healthy living. Such courses empower students to learn physical fitness assessment, make wise lifetime physical fitness decisions, and design customized exercise programs. The paper examines types of cardiorespiratory fitness testing, explaining…

Middle school physical education changes frequently. The article describes a fitness circuit that physical educators can adapt for large or small classes or for specific skill or general fitness work, noting the benefit of using music to facilitate periodic station changes. A list of 72 possible fitness stations is included. (SM)

The current state of physical fitness in American youth is unknown. While evidence exists that obesity levels are increasing in children and youth, data on declines in physical fitness measures (i.e., cardiorespiratory and musculoskeletal fitness) are lacking. Tracking of physical fitness components has been poorly done. Surveillance of behaviors…

Studies have shown that physical activity can enhance academic performance (Skolnick, 1981; Summerford, 2001). In this article, the author shares an activity that can be used to help accomplish this goal. It is based on the following considerations: (1) To expand participation in physical activity outside the gym, it is necessary to have an…

In the wake of the recent headlines and research on obesity, schools have an obligation to teach students about fitness and to provide a format for students to become and remain fit. Last year, such an opportunity arose at Davidson Middle School in Southgate, Michigan, when the school decided to incorporate some of its newly purchased technology…

Learning about the relationship between heart rate and physical activity is an important aspect of fitness education. Use of a heart rate monitor (HRM) helps a student to understand how stretching and large muscle movements gradually increase the heart rate and blood flow, and enables students to measure their exercise heart rates and set goals…

A study identified 145 adults with mild mental retardation and hyperinsulinemia, borderline high triglycerides, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, hypertension, and abdominal obesity. Those who participated in more frequent bouts of physical activity or who consumed lower dietary fat intakes were one-third as likely to have hyperinsulinemia…

Aerobics instructors can use step aerobics to motivate students. One creative method is to add the step to the circuit workout. By incorporating the step, aerobic instructors can accommodate various fitness levels. The article explains necessary equipment and procedures, describing sample stations for cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength,…

Introductory exercise courses for sedentary, moderately overweight adults were developed. The underlying principles of the courses, their structure and contents, guidelines of instruction, and use of evaluation are described. Implementation of five weight-reduction courses and six exercise courses involving 209 participants is described;…

This article provides: information on the importance of physical activity for older adults and guidelines to ensure safe and successful activity. It discusses the need for activity, risk levels, prescription of exercise intensity, determination of entry level fitness and monitoring of improvement, and the role of the professional. (SM)

A Wisconsin Girl Scout camp integrated The Healthy Kids Challenge into its program. The camp evaluated policies related to meals, snacks, physical activities, team building, and self-esteem. Staff inservice training resulted in healthier meals on the same budget and developed ownership of the program. Campers and families had opportunities to…

Public awareness of health, fitness, and exercise has increased and the fitness industry has expanded in recent years. Yet, ironically, the health of our nation continues to deteriorate. Now more than ever there is the need for qualified fitness professionals to help individuals to improve or maintain health and fitness. Since fitness…