Deanna Driver

EXS101

Instructor: Louise So

Exercise was not regarded as a very high priority.

Benjamin Franklin recommended regular physical activity, including resistance training.

President Thomas Jefferson was the first president to really take into account physical fitness’s importance. “ Not less than two hours a day should be devoted to

exercise, and the weather shall be little regarded. If the body is feeble, the mind will not be strong.” –Thomas Jefferson

Catherine Beecher, was a educator and advocator for women’s education, was the inventor of modern day “aerobics”. She started a program that mixed calisthenics and music.

The Industrial Revolution had a huge negative impact on fitness. The new widespread use of technological advances led to less physically active people.

The first scientific studies of fitness instruction started.

Organized fitness teaching methodologies started

Anthropometric measurements to assess fitness were developed.

Body fat test.

Dr. Dio Lewis (Dioclesian Lewis) introduced “The New Gymnastics”.

Started organized exercise classes.

Exercise that would meet the needs of females, the old, etc. Not just exercise that was designed for strong men.

1861, Dr. Lewis founded the Normal Institute for Physical Education. Most of today's system of physical education and culture is

based on the influence of Dr. Lewis.

The 20th Century was the beginning of a New Era for Fitness.

Much of physical fitness change was due to President Theodore Roosevelt.

Described as one of the most physically fit presidents.

President Theodore Roosevelt used his power and lead by example to encourage and help emphasize physical fitness in the United States.

After World War 1 ended, horrible details of troops physical fitness was reviled.

One of out of every three service men were found to be unfit for combat.

Under President Woodrow Wilson , the government passed legislation that demanded physical education in schools be improved.

Due to the relaxation after a war , people began to exercise less.

Physical fitness became even less important in 1929 after the stock market crash. All the legislation passed in favor of physical education after WWI was lost and forgotten.

Money spent on these programs was now being spent to help the economy.

Jack LaLanne aka “the Godfather of Fitness” began to develop new fitness programs and equipment.

Became the foundation of the modern fitness movement.

Once again poor physical ability of troops was an important factor during the war and after the facts were shared with the United States, President Truman and the government placed importance of physical fitness.

Dr. Thomas K. Cureton from the University of Illinois introduced fitness tests.

Cardiorespiratory endurance testing Muscular strength testing Flexibility testing

Dr. Cureton also identified exercise intensity guidelines to help improve fitness levels.

President Eisenhower formed the President’s Council of Youth Fitness

Citizens’ Advisory Committee on the Fitness of American Youth was appointed.

Educating the public on the harmful effects of low fitness became a priority.

American Health Association The American Medical Association The American Alliance of Youth Fitness.

1954 the American College of Sports’ Medicine (ACSM) was formed.

Throughout history ACSM has been responsible for many stands on exercise-related issues.

President John F. Kennedy played a great role in changing fitness and promoting its health-related benefits for Americans of ALL ages. He broadened the scope of the President’s council on

Youth Fitness. Changed its name to President’s Council on Physical Fitness (1963)

Prompted the Federal government in being more involved with fitness nationwide. Started youth fitness programs.

Dr. Ken H. Cooper, known as the “father of modern fitness movement”, advocated for the philosophy of diseases prevention instead of diseases treatment. Messages, programs, and ideas have established the

model from which fitness has grown to today.

1966- President Lyndon B. Johnson created the Presidential Fitness Award 1968 changed the president’s councils name to

President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. Emphasizes the importance of sports in daily life

1972 the President’s Sports Award Program was created.

1972 Title IX is passed Helps girls and women sports.

1983 United States Congress declares May “National Physical Fitness and Sports Month.”

1996 Surgeon General’s Report on Physical Activity and Health was released

1997 President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports releases its report of Physical Activity and sports in the Lives of Boys.

2010 President Barack Obama renamed the agency the President’s Council of Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition.

New emphasis on nutrition as an element to fitness.

President Barack Obama named NFL quarterback Drew Brees and Olympic gymnast Dominique Dawes as co-chair s on the council.

Michelle Obama, “the First Lady of Kids’ Health”, announces new goal “to end epidemic of childhood obesity”. Let’s Move initiative (http://www.letsmove.gov/)

Teamed up with Partnership for a Healthier American and started the Drink Up campaign.

Improved school lunches for children.

As an athlete and fitness lover it is extremely important to me that fitness is a part of my world. I think it’s cool that such influential people see the importance and share the same enthusiasm in fitness, sports, and nutrition.

I think it is important that presidents, especially Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, have placed on children and fitness. As a teacher, it is hard for me to see my students be so unmotivated about physical fitness and many are overweight. If children can learn to love physical fitness and nutrition then they hopefully can live healthier more active lives. Then also, hopefully they will pass this on to their children and so on and so forth.

Dalleck, L. PhD & Kratz, L. PhD. (No Date). Fitness in America. Ideafit.com. Retrieved February 2, 2014, from http://www.ideafit.com/fitness-library/the-history-of-fitness

President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition . Retrieved February 2, 2014, from https://www.presidentschallenge.org/challenge/physical/

Softchalk Presentation: Introduction to Exercise Science