According to data from the National Center for Health Statistics, childhood obesity rates are highest among ethnic minorities. It is very helpful to consider the role of culture when attempting to analyze and explain obesity rates in ethnic minority populations. Culture influences the attitudes and beliefs toward exercise, food and nutrition, and…

Physical education practitioners and programs have the opportunity and obligation to help children become physically educated, healthy, and active adults. This article discusses the battle against obesity in K-12 learners from an exercise physiology perspective and focuses on the fact that practitioners have all the tools they need to battle this…

The current need for physical activity has extended beyond the limited time given to students in physical education classes. In order for students to receive appropriate levels of physical activity (i.e., at least 60 minutes per day), it is necessary for physical educators to incorporate physical activity opportunities outside the traditional…

In Japan, pedometers are so popular that most households there now have several. While pedometers have not yet reached this level of popularity in the United States, the media commonly discuss monitoring physical activity with pedometers. This discussion has focused both on its use as a monitoring device and as a means of physical activity…

Standard one of the National Association for Sport and Physical Education states students should demonstrate competency in many, and proficiency in some, movement forms. This article presents recommendations to help students achieve motor skill competency and proficiency, providing task progressions for elementary students and illustrating…

Physical educators have a responsibility to be aware of signs of abuse or neglect of students. Common injuries to and behavior characteristics of abused children are described. The Oklahoma statute on reporting child abuse is presented as a model to govern school policy. (MT)

Physical education is a lifelong process with physical fitness being a principal objective. An important aspect of a physical education program lies in the leadership qualities of the teacher. Knowledge and understanding essential to an effective program are listed. (DF)

Initiating change in preschool and elementary schools could enhance childrens' present physical fitness and help them understand and achieve physical fitness in adulthood. Mastering motor skills and locomotor patterns in early childhood is important to future physical development. A new direction for physical activity programs is offered. (DF)

The secondary curriculum provides the student a transitional period between childhood and adulthood. Physical fitness objectives at this level should enhance dynamic health through physical activity for all individuals rather than for elite performers only. Suggestions are offered to help physical educators accomplish fitness goals. (DF)

Laban Movement Analysis is a system that helps dancers recognize and define the variety of elements that make up the movement event. This is not a method of teaching a movement style, but provides a means for creative expression. (DF)

In response to concern about the prevalence of anorexia and bulimia, several departments of the University of Iowa collaborated to design and implement an inservice training program for dance and physical educators, coaches and athletic trainers. The rationale, planning, program content, and implications of the eating disorders project are…

Transfer of learning from drills to real games is a complex process, depending on similarities between the components of stimulus and response. Designing drills to more closely reflect game skills and differentiating scoring during games to reward the use of new skills can improve playing performance. (MT)

A game which introduces longer-distance runs while minimizing competition, helps develop skill in self-pacing, improves cardiovascular performance, and reduces stress is described. (MT)

A running program to increase the cardiovascular fitness levels of fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-grade children is described. Discussed are the running environment, implementation of a running program, feedback, and reinforcement. (MT)

The process of developing guidelines for evaluating content of physical education teacher education programs for National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) accreditation is described. NCATE guidelines are presented. (MT)