Physical Activity

What is the number one barrier to physical activity in schools?

Physical Activity

Physical education and physical activity does not reduce academic learning and it may actually increase it.

MyActivity Pyramid

Graphic illustration explaining types of physical activityDesigned to help understand how much of each type Allows for moderate and vigorous; and flex and strengthGeneral idea: accumulate 60 mins from the first 3 levels.

MyActivity Pyramid

Based on National Guidelines

Modeled after MyPyramid

Needs some explanation

Some activities can fit into more than one categoryNote: Guidelines for children are not overly

specific compared to adolescents/adults

PA Guidelines for Children

60 minutes minimum

Up to several hours

Intermittent activity with rest periods

No long periods of inactivity

Variety of activities

Important Child Concepts

Expose youngsters to a wide variety of physical activities Teach physical skills to help maintain lifetime health and fitness Encourage self-monitoring so youngsters can see how active they are and set their own goals Individualize intensity of activities Focus feedback on process of doing your best rather than on product Be active role models.

Important Child Concepts

Inherently active

Short attention span

Concrete thinkers

Active intermittently and need rest periods

Skill development

High intensity has benefits but limits adherence

Inactivity tracks better than activity

Self-efficacy in PA is good determinant of lifetime PA

Active parents more likely to have active children

Can learn to be inactive

PA Guidelines for Adolescents

Should be physically active daily as part of play, game, sports, work, transportation, recreation, physical education, or planned exercise, in the family, school and community activities

Should engage in 3 or more sessions per week for at least 20 minutes or more at a time at a moderate to vigorous level