fitness

Staying Active during the COVID Pandemic

April 1, 2020September 2, 2020 by Classrooms in Motion

How to stay active during this quarantine? The simple answer here is to be active and to encourage activity. One positive result of the social isolation requirement is that people seem to be embracing the opportunity to go for a run, or a walk, or a bike ride. It is critically important to stay home and maintain social distancing, but our shelter-in-place regulations permit outdoor exercise. In the past few weeks, I have seen more people on the sidewalks than I have in the past few years. Children and parents are out for a walk. Children are on their bikes (wear a helmet!) and rollerblades while parents walk or run or push strollers. The multiple benefits gained from these activities extend past those specific to physical activity. Getting outside, especially when we’re cooped up indoors for a majority of the day, positively impacts mental health. Spending time with loved ones, away from media or screens, positively impacts social and psychological health. And, of course, engaging in physical activity is good for mental, social, psychological, and physical health.

When outdoor activity is not available, and to supplement those helmeted bike-rides, there are numerous resources available to parents and educators to promote physical activity during quarantine. (Updated September 2020)

CATCH Global Foundation: https://www.catch.org/pages/health-at-home
Alliance for a Healthier Generation: https://www.healthiergeneration.org/campaigns/covid-19
AHG and Kohl’s Moving More at Home: https://www.healthiergeneration.org/campaigns/kohls-healthy-at-home/moving-more
Moving Minds: https://blog.moving-minds.com
- Direct link to At-Home Activities & Resources: https://blog.moving-minds.com/category/at-home-activities-resources
Wayne State University Center for Health and Community Impact: https://dl.orangedox.com/HealthyKidsQuarantined
Action for Healthy Kids (includes activity plus other health resources): https://www.actionforhealthykids.org/back-to-school-resources/
Action for Healthy Kids Game On: https://www.actionforhealthykids.org/game-on-activity-library
GoNoodle: https://www.gonoodle.com
Wide Open School (select appropriate grade level range – from preK-12)
- Grades 3-5: https://wideopenschool.org/student-activities/get-moving/grades-3-5/
- Grades 9-12: https://wideopenschool.org/student-activities/get-moving/grades-9-12/
Online Physical Education Network: https://openphysed.org/penow
Marathon Kids: https://marathonkids.org/parents/
Sworkit app: https://sworkit.com
Minutes of Movement videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2eEMDPxQVdBwSoMKhpTDhMWPk58WmUTy

New Physical Activity Guidelines

December 10, 2018December 10, 2018 by Classrooms in Motion

The second edition of the national physical activity guidelines was recently released with expanded and enhanced recommendations. See the full document here.

Relevant revisions include:

• Additional health benefits of physical activity related to brain health
• Immediate and longer term benefits of physical activity on how people feel, function, and sleep
• Risks of sedentary behavior and their relationship with physical activity
• Physical activity guidance for children ages 3-5 years

UNICEF Kid Power…Promoting Activity and Charity

May 5, 2016January 29, 2017 by Classrooms in Motion

The UNICEF Kid Power Band is a partnership between UNICEF, Star Wars, and Target, and offers kids the chance to “unlock” food for malnourished children through activity. The idea combines the need for physical activity engagement among children in developed countries and the need for food for children in developing countries. One might hope that funds to feed malnourished children would be provided regardless of corresponding activity levels if the funds are available, but this concept does provide motivation to individuals with the band…and teaches children about giving to others. For more information, see the UNICEF Kid Power site. There is also a 44 second video to promote the program and to encourage kids to get active!

More Fit = Better Brains!

August 23, 2015January 29, 2017 by Classrooms in Motion

New research published this week demonstrates that children who are more fit have better math performance that lower fit peers. The study by Chaddock-Heyman et. al. adds to the growing body of evidence that fitness and academic achievement are linked, and can be used as support for the inclusion of classroom physical activity.

See the Research tab for the more information!

New Research!

March 12, 2015January 29, 2017 by Classrooms in Motion

Norris et al. (2015) recently conducted a systematic review of classroom physical activity. Findings indicate that classroom physical activity increases student physical activity levels and significantly improves or does not hinder educational outcomes with all results either positive or neutral. This review calls for further research to gain a more complete understanding of the impact of classroom physical activity impact.

Naylor et al. (2015) systematically reviewed implementation of school-based physical activity interventions. While studies varied in their assessment of implementation strategies and outcomes, the most influential factor to implementation success was time.

Burrows et al. (2014) determined that scheduled physical activity is associated with better academic performance. In this sample, about 80% of students exercised for less than two hours per week. Students who reported more than four hours per week of exercise were significantly more likely to perform about the 50th percentile in standardized academic achievement tests.

Katz, Mulder, and Pronk (2014) used worksite wellness Sit-Stand results as a method of improving student behavior and learning.

Chaput, Carson, Gray, and Tremblay (2014) proposed the importance of all movement behaviors in a 24 hour period for overall health of children.

See our Research Page for full abstracts.