Chapter 2 notes

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The Need for Physical Activity

Little change in activity patterns has occurred in lower-middle and lower-class families.

Children ages 2 - 12 watch about 25 hours of TV per week.

Current health goals for the year 2000 are based on increasing daily levels of physical activity rather than fitness levels.

Physical education programs should be designed so that they teach youngsters how to live an active and healthy lifestyle.

• Growth patterns
• Body physique
• Skeletal maturity
• Muscular development and strength
• Relative strength and motor performance
• Aerobic capacity
• Body composition, obesity and physical activity

• There is Rapid growth from birth to age 5.
• Growth slows from age 6 to adolescence.
• When growth is rapid motor performance declines.
• Elementary age boys are generally taller and heavier.
• Girls reach adolescent growth spurt first.
• Center of gravity lowers with age which yields to increased stability and balance.

• Physique affects quality of motor performance.
• Three Somatotypes
  • Endomorph- Identified as being very thin.
  • Mesomorph- Having a predominance of muscle and bone.
  • Ectomorph- Characterized as soft and round.

Skeletal Maturity

• Physical maturity has a strong impact on performance in physical education.
• Skeletal maturity can be determined by x-raying the wrist.
• A five to six year variation in a typical classroom.
• More mature boys perform better at motor tasks.
• Less mature girls perform better at motor tasks.
• Offer a wide range of developmentally appropriate activities to increase success regardless of skeletal maturity.

• Muscular strength increases with age
• Boys are generally stronger than girls regarding upper body strength between ages 7 and 17.
• Boys and girls generally equal regarding leg strength between ages 7 and 17.
• Muscle fiber types:
  • Slow twitch- slow-contracting, fatigue-resistant muscle suited to aerobic activities.
  • Fast twitch- fast-contracting, rapidly-fatiguing muscle suited to short term speed and power (anaerobic) activities.
• Muscle fiber differentiation occurs in adolescence

• Relative Strength-  strength in relation to body size.
• Higher relative strength has a positive impact on motor performance.
• Deadweight (fat) has a negative impact on motor performance.
• We need varied and personalized workloads to ensure success for all.

• Maximal aerobic power- An individuals maximum ability to use oxygen in the body.
• Maximal aerobic power is closely related to lean body mass.
• Aerobic performance training results in little increase in aerobic power in prepubescent children.
• Children perceive workload as easier than adults.
• Children exhibit rapid recovery rates.
• Interval training should be implemented including aerobic training and restful episodes.

• Body composition refers to varying amounts of muscle, bone and fat in the body.
• Physical activity is a crucial factor for dealing with weight control.
• The lack of physical activity is common among obese children.
• Children do not grow out of obesity!
• Obese children require a higher oxygen uptake capacity to perform a given task.
• Workloads should be based on time rather than distance.

• Allow the student to play all roles and positions.
  • Those who practice more achieve a greater skill level.
  • Maximize activity for all students by providing opportunities for everyone.
  • Children participate in activities that are reinforcing.
• Ensure success for all students
  • Perceived competence- how people feel about their skill level.
  • Learned helplessness is a result of low perceived competence.
  • When people are successful they generally enjoy what they are doing; this enjoyment motivates them to continue participating.

• Avoid identifying athletes at a young age.
  • Sport success cannot be predicted based on elementary school performance.
  • All children should be treated as if they have the potential to become successful.
• Don’t Push an Early Start
  • An early start does not guarantee success.
  • Many professional athletes began their sport in high school.
  • The key is to allow children to participate regardless of ability, and to have fun while playing.

Physical Education and Intellectual Development

• Recent studies have indicated that physical education does not lead to greater intelligence but does not impede it.

Guidelines for Exercising Children Safely:

Moderation-  Moderate activities may yield greater enjoyment.

Exercising in the heat-  Children do not adapt to temperature differences as well as adults.

Distance running-  It is not known how intensive distance training may negatively affect the body later in life.  Up to age 12 it is suggested that runs be kept to 800 meters or less.

Resistance training-  Strength can be increased through weight training in children.

In children it appears strength gains are achieved through motor learning.
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