I N T H I S I S S U EJump Rope For Heart All the way to Baltimore .............................................. 2

AAHPERD Staff Jump Ropes For Heart ... 3

Top 100 HFH Schools ............................ 4

Top 100 JRFH Schools .......................... 5

Top 100 JRFH/HFH Combined Schools .. 6

2006-2007 American Heart Association Award Winners ..................................... 7

Teachers with Heart ............................. 7

Hoops For Heart Research Grant Summary .............................................. 8

websites: www.aahperd.org/jointprojectswww.americanheart.org

At the Heart of the Matter

The Pulse NewsletterVolume 7, Number 4

Joint Projects OfficeAAHPERD

1900 Association DriveReston, VA 20191

ctaylor@aahperd.org1-800-213-7193 ext. 429

27 Years of Jump rope for Heart Submitted By: Fonda Rosenbaum – Grant Recipient

Rural Hall Elementary, Rural Hall, NC

Reflecting on 35 years of teacher and 27 years of coordinating Jump Rope For Heart at Rural Hall Elementary, I became very aware of how much these affected me

personally and professionally. During a sermon at my church recently, my minister was talking about “the importance of the works of our hearts and our hands.” Immediately, my priceless memories from Jump Rope For Heart came to mind. There are the handprints on the wall representing the children that are helping others by participating in Jump Rope For Heart. There are pink hearts that name who the children are dedicating their jumping to. I think of the jump ropes in the children’s hands as they learn and proudly perform new jumping skills. They’re always so enthusiastic and eager to say the heart pledge for their teachers. A tradition that we look forward to at the conclusion of our event is the formation of a huge heart with the handprints of all the children that participated. We use the center of this heart to announce our total contribution to the American Heart Association.

I am so grateful to the Joint Projects for making this grant available and that my AHA representative talked to me into applying. I was so thrilled to receive the JRFH/HFH Grant this year to go to my first ever AAHPERD National Convention in Baltimore, MD. I enjoyed meeting and sharing ideas with other grant winners at the Award Ceremony and dinner. Attending motivational sessions and collecting new ideas and equipment for my curriculum were great! I bought two surprises for the kids to enjoy in P.E. at a big discount. Bilingual Skillastics Fitness game and Cal Ripkin’s Baseball Game. They were so thrilled and loved to be challenged with new activities!

See The Pulse online at www.aahperd.org/thepulse

D e c e m b e r 2 0 0 7

Story continues on page 2

The students and teachers from Rural Hall Elementary would like to thank the Joint Projects for the 2006-2007 AAHPERD JRFH/HFH Grant. The US Games Certificate for $1200 was used to purchase equipment to make grade level sets to motivate the children to become even more physically active and challenged by a variety of activities.

I would like to encourage everyone to apply for the JRFH/HFH Grant. Don’t wait as long as I did. If you have applied, but haven’t been a recipient, just try again! It is such a wonderful opportunity for you and for the children you teach in physical education! I promise it will give you a great feeling you’ll never forget!

Every time I wear my charm bracelet with a gold heart engraved 2007 AAHPERD Convention, I smile and get a warm feeling in my heart!Y

Story continued from page 1

First, I want to thank the Joint Projects Committee, AAHPERD and Jump Rope For

Heart for selecting me to be one of the 2007 JRFH/HFH Grant recipients! It was certainly an honor! Thanks to them for making available such a wonderful opportunity. JRFH has been a part of my physical education program for 18 years and this grant is another way in which they add to my physical education program.

With the grant award, my 2007 annual dues for AAHPERD were paid, the registration and travel expenses were paid for me to attend the AAHPERD National Convention in Baltimore, I had access to ideas from effective educators around the country, additional equipment was purchased for my school, and my students’ fitness will improve. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing new ideas for fitness, skill development and health. There was such a variety of sessions offered! I had a difficult time choosing just one session each time; usually there were more than two workshops in which I was particularly interested that were offered at the same time. I brought back more than a few ideas and my students are enjoying them already. I also enjoyed hearing the keynote speaker, Dr. Seffrin, from the

American Cancer Society. I believe he was an encouragement for all the physical educators who heard him. He conveyed our importance in educating our nation so as to squelch our advancing health crisis.

Baltimore is a lovely city and showed off itself. Everything was within walking distance: hotel, food, convention site, entertainment and tourist sights. I loved that the conference included a 6:30 a.m. walking tour of Baltimore – sight-seeing, fun, and fitness all in one!

I have also received the equipment I ordered to help my students be more physically fit. I am introducing my students to pedometers! Another neat bonus was finding a workshop at the convention on using pedometers and integrating lessons. I will be adding math facts with their fitness lessons.

I appreciate the opportunity to grow as a physical educator: membership in our national alliance, attending our AAHPERD convention, meeting peer teachers, and receiving funds for additional equipment. I encourage others to take the time and make the effort of writing for their grant this next year.Y

Jump Rope For Heart All the Way to Baltimore!

By: Cindy Clough, Atkinson Elementary School, Newnan, Georgia

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AAHPHERD Staff Jump Ropes For Heart

By: Jennifer Jones

W hen I applied for the position of Director of Marketing for the American Alliance of

Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) last Winter, I recognized the Jump Rope For Heart logo on the AAHPERD website. My oldest son had participated in the program the year before, and I was excited to pursue a job with an organization that co-sponsored such a great event.

Now I have been at AAHPERD for 6 months, and my son again participated in Jump Rope For Heart this spring, this time raising more than $1000, the most in his school—Horizon Elementary in Potomac Falls, Virginia. Horizon is lucky to have a Physical Education Teacher who takes participation in Jump Rope For Heart seriously—She has the kids write up a few words about who they are jumping for and posts them in the school hallway, she honors the kids who raise the most money, and she runs a well-organized event. The event could even be more successful if more parents, the PTA, and community businesses got involved in supporting the kids.

To me, what better l esson i s the r e than encouraging our kids to helps others? To help them develop a sense of responsib i l i t y toward a greater good and to see beyond themselves? Participation in Jump Rope Fo r Hea r t teaches compassion, rewards dedication, and gives children a sense that they can make a difference—

All in a fun environment that encourages better health through fitness. More parents, teachers,

and community leaders need to support the annual Jump Rope For Heart and Hoops For Heart events.

I know that you, the PE Teacher, can’t do it alone. Recruit a willing parent to encourage participation in or support of the event. Have parents send e-mails out to other parents to get more kids to participate or to support another child with a donation. Make friends with your PTA leaders, and have a PTA member or parent speak at a meeting about the importance of volunteering time or encouraging school-wide and community-wide participation in the event. You can also share stories from The Pulse in your school newspaper, newsletter, or website to help generate interest in Jump Rope For Heart or Hoops For Heart.

Spread the word about Jump Rope For Heart—And I guarantee you’ll get more participation, support, and appreciation for what you do to teach kids the importance of a healthy and active lifestyle.Y

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Rank Account Account Gross State Raised 1 North Attleboro Middle School MA $84,917.65 2 Bel Air Middle School MD $40,904.59 3 Riverchase Middle School AL $29,022.29 4 Glenmont Elementary School NY $28,562.89 5 Tenafly Middle School NJ $24,532.00 6 Welch Elementary School GA $23,313.77 7 Jay M. Robinson Middle School NC $22,632.95 8 Crone Middle School IL $21,119.25 9 Heritage Lakes Elementary School IL $21,051.45 10 Moorestown Upper Elementary School NJ $21,034.36 11 Avalon Middle School FL $18,610.42 12 Central Elementary School OH $18,426.84 13 Hickory Middle School VA $18,260.10 14 South Charlotte Middle School NC $18,220.62 15 Kennard Elementary School MD $17,635.64 16 Auten Road Intermediate School NJ $17,549.00 17 Scullen Middle School IL $16,831.50 18 Monclova Elementary School OH $16,807.10 19 Ilchester Elementary School MD $16,345.09 20 Pequenakonck Elementary School NY $16,172.50 21 Homewood Middle School AL $16,055.81 22 Elkhorn Ridge Middle School NE $16,049.00 23 East Woods School OH $15,545.00 24 Lime Kiln Middle School MD $15,511.75 25 Alvey Elementary School VA $15,345.50 26 Bellingham Memorial Middle School MA $14,760.20 27 Wantagh Middle School NY $14,133.05 28 Heineman Middle School IL $14,095.51 29 Plum Point Elementary School MD $14,092.20 30 St Jane Francis de Chantal School MD $13,900.00 31 Spring Ford Flex School PA $13,870.59 32 Clyde Campbell Elementary School NC $13,611.51 33 Thompson Middle School NJ $13,590.32 34 Berkshire Middle School MI $13,312.50 35 Haverford Middle School PA $13,274.25 36 Afton Elementary School PA $12,739.05 37 Davis Drive Middle School NC $12,689.60 38 Lawton Chiles Elementary School FL $12,657.25 39 Ardsley Middle School NY $12,428.77 40 Mountain Brook Jr High School AL $12,235.00 41 Meyer Middle School WI $12,136.07 42 Severna Park Middle School MD $12,048.00 43 Stepney Elementary School CT $11,983.00 44 Mulvane Grade School KS $11,877.25 45 Montessori School of Raleigh NC $11,824.09 46 Newnan Crossing Elementary School GA $11,816.01 47 Bumpus Middle School AL $11,788.40 48 Voyager Elementary School MN $11,714.04 49 Red House Run Elementary School MD $11,581.65 50 Central Grade School IL $11,487.57

Rank Account Account Gross State Raised 51 Westfield Intermediate School IN $11,450.25 52 Lamar Middle School TX $11,385.95 53 Avondale Meadows Upper Elementary School MI $11,281.00 54 Sun Path Elementary School MN $11,253.74 55 Barbers Hill Elementary School TX $11,216.17 56 Hilltop Elementary TX $11,201.74 57 Frankfort Middle School WV $11,125.00 58 Wedgwood Elementary School NJ $10,952.75 59 Southport Elementary School NC $10,926.00 60 Quarry Hill Elementary School PA $10,893.50 61 Chico Elementary TX $10,835.95 62 Southern Lehigh Middle School PA $10,690.35 63 Churchville-Chili Middle School NY $10,656.63 64 Alice Drive Middle School SC $10,608.94 65 Herricks Middle School NY $10,607.46 66 Sequoya Middle School NY $10,406.00 67 Mount Pleasant Middle School NJ $10,390.33 68 Hook Elementary TX $10,357.88 69 Helena Middle School MT $10,337.00 70 Londonderry Middle School NH $10,297.45 71 Apex Middle School NC $10,227.00 72 Hudson Elementary School OH $10,199.30 73 C R Anderson Middle School MT $10,175.00 74 Trinity Lutheran School OR $10,144.14 75 Springville Middle School AL $10,131.00 76 Westchester Intermediate School IN $10,125.19 77 Mason Middle School MI $10,080.00 78 Rock Bridge Elementary MO $10,033.85 79 Paul R Baird Middle School MA $10,024.00 80 Southwest Middle School GA $10,000.00 81 William T Rogers Middle School NY $9,772.43 82 Drake Middle School AL $9,710.51 83 Tiverton Middle School RI $9,582.00 84 Chalk Hill Middle School CT $9,579.70 85 List Elementary School MI $9,561.11 86 Miraleste Intermediate CA $9,560.00 87 Barnum Woods Elementary School NY $9,531.90 88 Pearsall Intermediate TX $9,436.94 89 Winston School NJ $9,296.61 90 Hampstead Elementary School MD $9,274.50 91 Deer Path Middle School - East Campus IL $9,263.00 92 West Woods Upper Elementary School CT $9,240.52 93 Capitol Intermediate TX $9,230.46 94 Deshler Middle School AL $9,190.08 95 Century Junior High School IL $9,189.00 96 Robert F Hunt Elementary TX $9,168.81 97 Minooka Jr High School IL $9,138.27 98 Smart's Mill Middle School VA $9,067.60 99 Eunice Thomas Elementary School MO $9,061.14 100 Liberty Intermediate School IN $9,054.70

ToP100hoopS for heart SchoolS

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Rank Account Account Gross State Raised 1 French Rd Elementary NY $85,808.63 2 Greater Atlanta Christian School GA $64,522.36 3 New Hope / Solebury Elementary School PA $63,006.91 4 Kamehameha Elementary School HI $61,640.85 5 Pleasant Ridge Elementary School IL $61,172.02 6 Vanderlyn Elementary School GA $53,325.79 7 Commonwealth Elementary TX $51,528.17 8 Fort Dorchester Elementary School SC $50,112.00 9 Prospect Mill Elementary School MD $48,872.64 10 Youth’s Benefit Elementary School MD $42,858.00 11 Whitehorne Middle School NJ $41,538.90 12 Daniels Farm Elementary School CT $41,458.95 13 Sharon Elementary School GA $38,640.60 14 Kennesaw Elementary School GA $36,489.82 15 The Community School of Naples FL $35,641.91 16 May Chesak Elementary School IL $35,602.95 17 Woodland Intermediate School IL $35,475.10 18 Alabama Christian Academy AL $34,953.63 19 Abingdon Elementary School MD $34,661.82 20 Graham Elementary School IL $34,447.00 21 Savannah Christian Prep School GA $34,298.89 22 Mason Heights Elem School OH $33,581.47 23 Oak Hill School TN $33,058.37 24 Mahala F Atchison Elementary School NJ $32,997.00 25 Ben Franklin Elementary School WI $32,298.33 26 Hayes Elementary School TX $32,277.05 27 Sequoya Elementary School AZ $31,851.27 28 Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School IL $31,728.65 29 Mandracchia Sawmill Intermediate School NY $31,620.26 30 Homestead Elementary TX $31,558.63 31 Mt Bethel Elementary School GA $30,778.35 32 St Paul The Apostle Elementary CA $30,311.00 33 Leggee Elementary School IL $30,140.14 34 Gloria Dei Lutheran School VA $30,031.40 35 Chelsea Intermediate School IL $29,252.71 36 Hillander School TX $29,011.63 37 Mill Run Elementary School VA $29,011.37 38 Alamance Elementary School NC $28,958.72 39 Hawthorne School CA $28,957.36 40 Lincoln Trail Elementary School IL $28,741.36 41 Forest Vista Elementary TX $28,622.31 42 Wichita Collegiate Lower School KS $28,351.00 43 The Bright School TN $28,284.25 44 Gayhead Elementary School NY $27,375.00 45 Ebenezer Elementary School PA $27,355.50 46 Mechanicsville Elementary School MD $27,303.63 47 Hawaii Baptist Academy HI $27,214.67 48 Riverglades Elementary School FL $27,176.65 49 Booth Hill Elementary School CT $27,171.39 50 Hershey Primary Elementary School PA $26,997.16

Rank Account Account Gross State Raised 51 Spring Brook Elementary School IL $26,867.90 52 Hutchins Elementary TX $26,784.00 53 Windy Hill Elementary School MD $26,741.10 54 Ralph M T Johnson School CT $26,489.68 55 Settles Bridge Elementary School GA $26,464.12 56 Forest Lakes Elementary School MD $26,462.35 57 Twin Springs Elementary School VA $26,301.44 58 Oakwood Elementary School IL $25,848.54 59 Pingry Short Hills Campus School NJ $25,713.24 60 Lake Highland Preparatory School FL $25,629.93 61 Jack Johnson Elementary TX $25,609.37 62 Warren T Jackson Elementary School GA $25,520.14 63 Fawn Hollow Elementary School CT $25,462.51 64 Copper Ridge School AZ $25,423.57 65 Old Mill Elementary School NJ $25,366.01 66 Jefferson Elementary School NC $25,310.54 67 Tyngsboro Elementary School MA $25,259.49 68 Needville Elementary TX $25,182.28 69 Spark M. Matsunaga Elementary School MD $25,148.71 70 Highlands Elementary TX $25,117.81 71 Knightsville Elementary School SC $25,050.62 72 Reeves-Hinger Elementary TX $24,999.66 73 Daves Creek Elementary School GA $24,950.88 74 Boyette Springs Elementary School FL $24,865.19 75 Morris Brandon Elementary School GA $24,839.08 76 Regina Howell Elementary School TX $24,816.20 77 S S Dixon Primary School FL $24,556.82 78 Joella C Good Elementary School FL $24,513.49 79 Lexington Creek Elementary TX $24,183.21 80 Spring Run Elementary School VA $24,160.34 81 Villages Elementary of Lady Lake FL $24,121.72 82 Cheyenne Traditional School AZ $24,034.03 83 Sugar Mill Elementary TX $24,006.28 84 Huntersville Elementary School NC $23,954.25 85 Lee Elementary School MI $23,875.49 86 The Benjamin School FL $23,866.50 87 Ford Elementary School GA $23,804.37 88 Waiakeawaena Elementary School HI $23,749.69 89 Longbranch Elementary School TX $23,712.76 90 Uwchlan Hills Elementary School PA $23,639.18 91 Rockport Elementary School ME $23,586.33 92 Sandy Ridge Elementary NC $23,476.40 93 Episcopal School of Dallas TX $23,244.06 94 Allenwood Elementary School NJ $23,100.86 95 Watson Elementary School IN $23,055.65 96 Bullard Elementary School GA $22,753.69 97 Bob Graham Education Center (Elementary) FL $22,623.57 98 Western Row Elementary School OH $22,564.10 99 Chocachatti Elementary School FL $22,460.77 100 Forest Hill Elementary School MD $22,327.03

Jump rope for heart SchoolSToP100

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Rank Account Account Gross State Raised 1 Tolland Middle School CT $34,135 2 Holland Hall School OK $28,303 3 Fallston Middle School MD $27,478 4 Geist Elementary School IN $25,582 5 Mauldin Elementary School SC $23,636 6 Windham Center School NH $23,413 7 Columbus Academy OH $22,164 8 Sherman Elementary School IL $21,477 9 Creative Montessori Academy MI $21,408 10 Our Lady of Good Counsel School MI $20,721 11 Windermere Preparatory School FL $20,076 12 Hazel Pattison Elementary TX $19,987 13 Reagan Magnet School TX $19,412 14 Parley’s Park Elementary UT $19,182 15 Indian Ridge Middle School FL $19,142 16 Randall School WI $19,092 17 Oakview Elementary School SC $18,967 18 Exley Elementary TX $18,446 19 Erma Siegel Elementary School TN $17,783 20 Quinney Elementary WI $17,627 21 Miscoe Middle School MA $17,497 22 Darby Woods Elementary OH $17,278 23 S.G. Reinertsen Elementary MN $17,230 24 Pharr Elementary School GA $17,214 25 Happy Valley Elementary OR $16,811 26 Charles E Smith Jewish Day School MD $16,795 27 Stony Mill Elementary School VA $16,425 28 Latrobe Elementary School PA $16,210 29 Melvin Berman Hebrew Academy MD $16,184 30 Rye Country Day School NY $16,172 31 Forestville Elementary School VA $16,152 32 St Matthew School OH $15,997 33 Sierra Canyon School CA $15,821 34 Thorson Elementary WI $15,801 35 Greathouse School TX $15,730 36 Red Cross Elementary KY $15,704 37 Preston Hollow Presbyterian TX $15,680 38 Charlotte Ann Cox Elementary TX $15,578 39 Center Street Elementary CA $15,431 40 St Albert The Great School KY $15,390 41 Pelham Elementary School NH $15,358 42 Reuben Johnson Elementary TX $15,293 43 Wolford Elementary TX $15,179 44 Groesbeck Elementary School TX $15,168 45 Coats Elementary School NC $15,080 46 Eldorado Elementary School CO $14,926 47 Radnor Middle School PA $14,848 48 McLean School of Maryland MD $14,790 49 Trico Elementary School IL $14,734 50 Austin Elementary TX $14,729

Rank Account Account Gross State Raised 51 Oak Ridge School IA $14,719 52 Watts Elementary School TX $14,523 53 Central Valley Christian School CA $14,465 54 Edna Louise Spear Elementary School NY $14,464 55 Alvord Elementary TX $14,091 56 Unity West School IL $14,023 57 Cibolo Creek Elementary School TX $13,969 58 H A Jones Elementary School GA $13,938 59 Visitation School MO $13,914 60 The Potomac School VA $13,801 61 Hale Middle School CA $13,790 62 The Calverton School MD $13,577 63 Vallemar Elementary CA $13,554 64 John F Kennedy Intermediate School NY $13,445 65 McPolin Elementary UT $13,333 66 Washington Grade School IL $13,232 67 Greenwood Elementary Sch WI $13,192 68 Deretchin Elementary TX $13,056 69 Spotswood Elementary School VA $12,868 70 Morgantown Elementary School KY $12,762 71 Lawrence Intermediate School NJ $12,754 72 Rosa International Middle School NJ $12,618 73 Hudson PEP School TX $12,598 74 Mifflinburg Middle School PA $12,511 75 Grand Traverse Academy MI $12,509 76 Kingsley Middle School MI $12,390 77 Bales Intermediate TX $12,190 78 Alexander Dawson School NV $12,178 79 Winchester Elementary School IL $12,128 80 St Dominics School AL $12,072 81 Oaks Elementary School #3 NY $12,036 82 Washburn District Elementary School ME $12,000 83 T F Birmingham Elementary TX $11,917 84 Dolly Vogel Intermediate School TX $11,881 85 Curington Elementary School TX $11,850 86 Key Elementary School VA $11,789 87 Lake Elementary School LA $11,757 88 Saint John’s School PR $11,756 89 Clayton Huey Elementary School NY $11,754 90 Alcott Elementary School OH $11,714 91 Brooks Museums Magnet School NC $11,705 92 Bear Tavern Elementary School NJ $11,684 93 West Elementary School MA $11,645 94 East Wake Charter Academy NC $11,544 95 Edgemere Elementary School MD $11,500 96 Red Oak Elementary School NC $11,436 97 Florence A Smith Elementary School NY $11,403 98 Faith Lutheran Community School NV $11,393 99 Copper Beech Elementary School PA $11,332 100 Wilderness Elementary School VA $11,311

Jrfh/hfh combined SchoolSToP100

6 A m e r i c a n A l l i a n c e f o r H e a l t h , P h y s i c a l E d u c a t i o n , R e c r e a t i o n a n d D a n c e

2006-2007American Heart

Association Award Winners

Jump Coordinator of the YearLaura Gardiner

Washburn District Elementary SchoolWashburn, Maine

Hoops Coordinator of the YearMike Taylor

French American SchoolMamaroneck, NY

Administrator of the YearDr. Steven Staples

Superintendent of SchoolsYork County, Virginia

Principal of the YearBeth Devine

Tyngsborough ElementaryTyngsborough, MA

Faye Biles AwardPatti Kassey

North Stratfield SchoolFairfield, CT

Open DoorKim Ferrie

Pashley Elementary SchoolGlenville, NY

Heart Healthy SchoolHamagrael ES - Chris Berschwinger

Delmar, NY

Rookie of the Year AwardJump Rope For Heart

Tammi Scola - Hershey Primary Elementary School

Dauphin, PA$26,997.16

Hoops For HeartKevin Chambless - Welch Elementary

Coweta, GA$23,313.77

YTeachersYWith Heart

Introducing a heartfelt opportunity for your school’s faculty and staff to partner with your

students in the rewarding fundraising efforts associated with your school’s Jump Rope/Hoops For Heart program...we bring you Teachers With Heart!

The American Heart Association is proud to offer the opportunity for everyone in your school to participate in the fundraising efforts associated with Jump Rope For Heart and Hoops For Heart. These fundraising programs provide an opportunity to educate youth and adults about living a heart-healthy lifestyle. As the Jump Rope and/or Hoops For Heart event coordinator at your school, you have a unique opportunity to engage your colleagues and school staff with the Jump Rope and/or Hoops For Heart program you have currently planned for your students, by participating in Teachers With Heart. Engaging your faculty and staff in addition to your students will help make your event a fun school wide community event! Funds raised by your school staff will also increase the total funds raised by your school which will help you earn a larger U.S. Games Gift Certificate.

To make it easier, the Teachers With Heart materials will already be included in your Jump Rope/Hoops For Heart Event Kit. These materials will include customized Teachers With Heart collection envelopes, banking forms, thank-you gift marketing materials, and much more! There is also a special Teachers With Heart thank-you gift structure that has been developed especially for the faculty & staff who raise funds. All classroom teachers, principals, administrative staff, cafeteria staff, etc. are encouraged to participate. For more information, please contact your local American Heart Association Representative.Y

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The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of students’ attitudes and

motivation toward physical education with an ultimate goal of learning how to design class environments and activities that will promote the adoption of active life styles. The investigators examined the relationships between self-reported levels of physical activity, measures of health related fitness, attitudes toward physical education, perceived motivational climate, and level of activity in physical education classes. Surveys, field-based fitness tests, and pedometers were utilized to gather information from students.

Self-repor ted level of physical activity and the number of steps taken during a

physical education class displayed a strong positive correlation with health-related fitness assessments. Children who repor ted higher levels of physical activity as well as those who took more steps during their physical education class had a higher cardiovascular fitness level. Those individuals also had a lower body mass index and lower percent body fat, which was estimated by skinfold tests. Learning climates that emphasized personal improvement and mastering tasks were associated with positive

attitudes toward physical education and physical activity, higher levels of perceived competence, and higher levels of motivation to be physically active. Current levels of physical activity and positive attitudes were directly related to intentions to engage in physical activity in the future.

The major findings of the study suppor t several implications for teachers. Children

who are currently engaged in physical activity perform better on measures of health related fitness which indicates that they intend to be active in the future. Positive attitudes toward physical education increase the likelihood that children will be actively engaged in physical activity. Positive attitudes are fostered in physical education classes where teachers emphasize learning and improvement rather than on winning games or outperforming other students. Creating motivational class climates in which students can be successful while engaging in physical activity is important, especially for students who are sedentary. In conclusion, it is important to select tasks and activities that students find to be useful and enjoyable in order to foster positive attitudes and increase the likelihood that children will choose to be active.Y

of the american alliance for Health, physical education, recreation and Dance

ATTiTuDES, inTRinSic MoTivATion, AnD PERcEivED cliMATE in PHySicAl EDucATion clASSES:

How Do They Relate to Physical Fitness and Physical Activity?

By: Melinda A. Solmon & Charity Bryan, Lousiana State University

For further information on the AAHPERD Research Grant Program,contact the Research Consortium office at research@aahperd.org / (703)476-3415

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