Physical FitnessPhysical Fitness

Physical Activity & HealthPhysical Activity & Health

“Scientists and doctors have known for years that substantial benefits can be gained from regular physical activity…We have today strong evidence to indicate that regular physical activity will provide clear and substantial health gains.”

Audrey Manley, Surgeon General USA, 1996

Defining FitnessDefining Fitness

Health Fitness– prevention and remediation of disease– includes physical and mental

Motor-Performance– focused on sport performance– requires physical skill and strength

Health FitnessHealth Fitness

Importance of aerobic exercise– Kenneth Cooper

Focus on strength and flexibilityBenefits of resistance trainingFlexibility

– Static– Dynamic

Motor-Performance FitnessMotor-Performance Fitness

Purpose is to perform sport skillMinimal impact to health fitnessImportance of functional specificity

– strength in relation to the task

Cosmetic FitnessCosmetic Fitness

Goal of looking goodAttractive physical appearance

– fitness look is “in”

Increases active lifestylesAcceptance of various body shapes

The Dose-Response DebateThe Dose-Response Debate

Intensity– focuses on target heart rate

Duration– amount of time sustaining target heart rate

Frequency– focus on recovery and rebuilding

Current Exercise PrescriptionCurrent Exercise Prescription

Adults– accumulation of 30 minutes of daily activity– moderate intensity

Children– double adult suggestions– typically in short bouts with resting between

Fitness Levels Among Fitness Levels Among Children and YouthsChildren and Youths

Results from NCYFS I (1985)– 8,800 subjects– body composition (increase in body fat)– cardiopulmonary measure (increased times)

Results from NCYFS II (1987)– 4,853 subjects– results similar to NCYFS I

Activity Patterns Among Activity Patterns Among Children and YouthsChildren and Youths

Ten conclusions from research (see p. 191)Activity reduces with ageEstablish good habits earlyDecrease in sport after age 11Teen years influence adult behaviors

Fitness Levels Among AdultsFitness Levels Among Adults

Difficult to obtain data (Adults aren’t in school) American Sports Data

– several key findings (p.192)

Examine risk factors - inactivity is a major threat Activity level more important than fitness level Fitness boom confined by class (upper and middle

class phenomenon)

Fitness and Activity PatternsFitness and Activity Patterns Among Older Adults Among Older Adults

Older citizens becoming more activeResistance exercise (weight training for all)Aerobic conditioningSignificant psychological benefitsFuture research field - appropriate exercise

for older adults

Fitness and Physical Activity Fitness and Physical Activity Programs for Programs for

Children and YouthsChildren and YouthsSchoolwide programsFitness clubsFitness-remediation programsHome-based fitnessDaily fitness programsFitness courses

Fitness and Physical Activity Fitness and Physical Activity Programs for Programs for

Children and YouthsChildren and YouthsFitness focus in Physical EducationFitness elective coursesFitness centersHigh school fitness programState requirement approachNeed to be creative!

Comprehensive Schoolwide Comprehensive Schoolwide and Community-Linked and Community-Linked

ProgramsProgramsCATCHHealthy LifestylesDistrictwide Wellness InitiativeCommunity recreation centerCollaboration for Intramural SportsAAHPERD initiatives (e.g. Fitnessgram,

JFH, HFH, etc.)

Worksite Fitness and Worksite Fitness and Wellness Programs for AdultsWellness Programs for Adults

Prominent in large companiesPurposes

– reduce health care costs– increase employee productivity– reduce absenteeism

Facilities and programs (onsite gyms or purchase club membership)

Informal Home-Based FitnessInformal Home-Based Fitness

Videotape workoutsHome-fitness equipmentBicycles (mountain and road)Walking and aerobic danceFree weights

Physical Fitness InstructionPhysical Fitness Instruction

No national certificationOrganizations offer certificationMost fitness instructors have no trainingAmerican College of Sports Medicine

– three different certification levels– two clinical certifications

Fitness CertificationsFitness Certifications

Strength and Conditioning Certification– bachelors degree and CPR– certification

YMCA Fitness Instructor CertificationsBachelor’s Degree in Adult FitnessPhysical TherapyMaster’s Degree in Fitness

Problems and Issues in Problems and Issues in FitnessFitness

The Costs of Inadequate The Costs of Inadequate Health FitnessHealth Fitness

High costs both social and economic (pp. 212-213)

Poor fitness employees greater health problems than fit employees

Increase in medical costs (For children 6-17 costs associated with obesity have tripled in last 20 years to $127 billion/year)

Worker’s compensation increases Data suggests not an individual issue

Fitness Behavior: Fitness Behavior: Short and Long TermShort and Long Term

Increased public awareness (Challenge is to change beliefs into behaviors!)

Sufficient intensity, duration, and frequency Commitment to sustained involvement Change in lifestyle Quick fix programs tend to fail Forcing fitness on children tends to fail!

Developing a Fitness-Developing a Fitness-Educated PublicEducated Public

Average individual needs fitness educationMedia myths

– ideal image of a fit person– fitness miracles can occur quickly– celebrity status and instant experts

Knowledge explosion needs to occurIdeal source: school physical education

Equity Issues in Fitness and Equity Issues in Fitness and ActivityActivity

Issues of gender, race and socioeconomicsImpact of obesity and physical inactivityUrban settings and activity levelsImportance of neighborhood programsIncreased focus on women’s issues

Fitness Tests or Activity Fitness Tests or Activity Estimates?Estimates?

Value of moderate activity levels Importance of daily activity measures Mass fitness testing can be counterproductive Suggested testing guidelines (Dev. Approp.?)

– Test to identify at-risk children– Criterion-referenced standards– Activity evaluation– Self-testing instead of mass testing– Test for diagnosis and providing feedback

Fitness and AgingFitness and Aging

American population is agingMaintain productive living capacityActivities are availableDisadvantage is ingrained lifestylesNeed better information to seniorsIncorporate more programsProvide more publicity

Fitness Issues in Physical Fitness Issues in Physical EducationEducation

Physical fitness in schools is complex (See Corbin quote p. 220)

Implementation ranges from high to lowFocus of physical education programs

should be “health related fitness”?Main barrier perceived as lack of time in

school - creative solutions needed!

Toward a Physical Activity Toward a Physical Activity Infrastructure for the Infrastructure for the

United StatesUnited States

Move from remediation to preventionDevelop and sustain active lifestylesChange involves social context (i.e. race

and gender issues)Public-policy initiatives must occur (PEP

Grants?)

Questions?Questions?