Suzan F. Ayers and Mary Jo Sariscsany Introduction to Physical Best 1 chapter

Benefits of Regular Physical Activity Increase strength and endurance Build healthy bones and muscles Control weight Reduce anxiety and stress Increase self-esteem Improve blood pressure and cholesterol levels

Important Terminology: Health-Related Fitness A measure of a person’s ability to perform physical activities that require endurance, strength, or flexibility Achieved through a combination of regular exercise and inherent ability (continued)

Important Terminology: Health-Related Fitness (continued) Components: –Aerobic fitness –Body composition –Flexibility –Muscular endurance –Muscular strength

Important Terminology: Skill-Related Fitness Often goes hand-in-hand with certain physical activities Is necessary to accomplish or enhance a skill or task (continued)

Important Terminology: Skill-Related Fitness (continued) Components: –Agility –Balance –Coordination –Power –Reaction time –Speed

Important Terminology: Physical Activity Any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that results in expenditure of energy Includes a broad range of occupational, leisure time, and routine daily activities ranging from manual labor to gardening, walking, and household chores

Important Terminology: Exercise Physical activity of a repetitive nature Planned and structured to improve or maintain health-related fitness components

Physical Best Mission To foster healthier youth by providing quality resources and professional development for educators. The program emphasizes teaching health- related fitness concepts and attitudes through activity, in a manner that includes all children, is enjoyable, and promotes a physically active lifestyle.

Unique Aspects of Physical Best Comprehensive conceptual framework Active participation Individualized activities Tools for lifelong activity Health-related physical activity Adherence to standards

Related Resources Fitnessgram –Comprehensive health-related fitness and activity assessment and computerized reporting system –Based on a belief that extremely high levels of physical fitness, while admirable, are not necessary to accomplish objectives associated with good health and improved function –Published by and available through Human Kinetics, as are the materials for the Brockport Physical Fitness Test, a health-related fitness assessment for students with disabilities (continued)

Related Resources (continued) Fitness for Life –A complete set of resources for teaching a lifetime fitness and wellness course at the elementary and secondary levels –Compatible with the Physical Best program in philosophy, having the goal of lifelong physical activity habits (continued)

Related Resources (continued) Moving Into the Future: Standards for Physical Education, 2nd Edition. Beyond Activities: Learning Experiences to Support the National Physical Education Standards Appropriate Practices Documents (Elementary, Middle School, and High School) Physical Activity for Children: A Statement of Guidelines for Children Ages 5–12 Assessment series (relating to fitness and heart rate) Advocacy publications and brochures K–12 publications relating to conceptual learning and school- based wellness centers

Physical Best Certification Attend a one-day Physical Best Health Fitness Specialist Workshop, or Complete a college- or university-based semester-long course including Physical Best content. (continued)

Physical Best Certification (continued) Read the accompanying textbook Physical Education for Lifelong Fitness: The Physical Best Teacher’s Guide, Third Edition, the latest versions of Fitnessgram/Activitygram Test Administration Manual and Physical Best Activity Guides, Elementary Level or Middle and High School Levels. Using the required resources, complete an online, open-book examination. Successful completion of the examination will result in certification.

Summary Physical Best –Complements and supports existing physical education programs –Bases its philosophy and materials on current research and expert, field-tested input –Offers national certification as a Physical Best Health-Fitness Specialist –Focuses on the positive (such as student strengths and enjoyable activities) –Emphasizes individualizing instruction so that all students may benefit and succeed –Enhances the likelihood that students will pursue healthy, physically active lifestyles after they leave quality physical education programs and move into adulthood