Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions
of students and parents.
- Do students have to change for phys. ed. classes?
- Do you have to go to college to be a phys. ed teacher?
- What is a target or training heart rate zone?
- How long must a person exercise to strengthen their cardiovacular system?
- What is a pedometer?
- What are the components of health related fitness?
- What's the difference between health related and performance related fitness?
- What is 'Perceived Rate of Exertion?'
- What is the Talk Test?
- What are good endurance activities for middle school students?
- What are inactivity disorders?
- Why do students have to run the mile?
- What is the difference between a competitive athlete and a fitness athlete?
- What are hypokinetic disorders?
- Why do students have written homework in phys. ed.?
- What is per cent body fat?
- What is the two question test?
- I don't like this. Do I have to do it?
Do students have to change for phys. ed. classes?
Yes. Students are required to have a change of clothes (shirt
and
pants/shorts) and sneakers. They can wear long sleeve or short
sleeve
shirts, shorts or sweat pants; what ever makes them feel most
comfortable. Students still participate in class even if they
don't have a change, as long as they have sneakers.
Do you have to go to college to be a phys. ed teacher?
Phys. Ed. teachers have to receive special training just like
teachers in
any
other discipline. Phys. Ed. teachers major in Kinesiology, the
study of the
human body in motion, with a concentration in Teacher
Preparation. Other
concentrations in Phys. Ed. include Exercise Physiology, Sports
Medicine/Athletic Training, Biomechanics, Sports Psychology,
Sports
Management, Motor Learning, Motor Development, Adaptive Phys.
Ed.,
Recreation
Management, Recreational Therapy.
In addition to activity and teacher preparation courses,
Kinesiology
curriculum is rich in the life sciences (anatomy, physiology,
biology,
chemistry, exercise physiology).
What is a target or training heart rate zone?
This is a heart rate range a person needs to stay within in order
to
strengthen their cardiovascular (heart and lungs) system. The
simplest way
to
determine your target heart rate zone is to find your maximum
heart rate
(207- (.7 X your age) and multiply that number by .6 for the low
end and .85
for the high end. The Heart Rate Reserve method is more
complicated, but
more accurate, since it is based upon an individual's resting
heart rate.
How long must a person exercise to strengthen their cardiovacular system?
A person needs to exercise in their training/taret heart rate
zone at least
20 minutes, at least 3 times a week. ANY activity that raises a
person's
heart rate to their Training/Target Heart Rate Zone will
strengthen the
heart, that includes things such as weeding a garden, mowing a
lawn with a
push mower, taking the family dog for a walk, etc. The key is
raising the
heart rate to the Target Heart Rate Zone.
What is a pedometer?
A pedometer is a small device a person wear's at their waist that
records
the
total number of steps they take. It is one of the least
expensive, least
intrusive ways to keep track of physical activity. Cooper's
Aerobic
Institute in Texas has been pushing the concept of "10,000
Steps a Day."
The
total number of steps accumulated in a day's time is a reflection
of how
active a person was that day. 10,000 steps is roughly the
equivalent of 30
minutes of exercise ... sufficient for maintaining good heart
health.
What are the components of health related fitness?
There are 4 basic components of health related fitness:
1. Muscular Strength and Endurance
2. Cardiovascular Endurance
3. Flexibility
4. Body composition - the ratio of lean body mass to fat
What's the difference between health related and performance related fitness?
Health related fitness refers to those components that affect an
individual's
quality of life; muscular strength and endurance, cardiovascular
endurance,
flexibility, and body composition. Maintaining minimum levels of
health
related fitness reduces an individual's risk of developing
diseases,
disorders, and injuries related to low levels of fitness.
Performance
related
fitness refers to those components that affect an individual's
athletic
performance; speed, agility, coordination, power, balance,
reaction time,
none of which have any affect on the quality of an individual's
life. Not
everyone can be a good athlete ... but everyone can be fit.
What is 'Perceived Rate of Exertion?'
Perceived Rate of Exertion (PRE) is another method people can use
to
determine how hard they are working when exercising. You simply
ask
yourself
this question, 'On a scale of 1 to 10, how hard do I think I'm
working?'
One
would represent sitting down, watching TV, and 10 would mean your
are
working
so hard that you couldn't continue. To strengthen your heart and
lungs you
should probably be working somewhere between a 5 and a 8.
What is the Talk Test?
The Talk Test is a simple way to estimate if you're working hard
enough to
make your heart and lungs stronger. If you can talk easily while
exercising,
you're not working hard enough. If you can't talk at all, you're
working
too
hard. If you can talk but need to take a break every now and
then, that's
just about right.
What are good endurance activities for middle school students?
Any activity that raises their heart rate to the target heart
rate zone and
keeps it there for 20 minutes ... AND ... they enjoy doing ...
will do the
trick. At this age pariticipating in interscholastic,
intramural, community
leagues not only provides activity but an opportunity to
socialize with
peers outside the school setting. Walking, riding bike, roller
blading,
skate boarding, soccer, basketball, swimming, volleyball,
badminton,
horseback riding are just a few suggestions that your middle
school student
might enjoy doing with a friend ... or ... with family members.
What are inactivity disorders?
Inactivity disorders ... more appropriately referred to as
hypokinetic
disorders ... are illnesses and/or injuries associated with low
fitness
levels. Heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure, high
cholesterol,
obesity, Type II Diabetes, certain cancers, osteoporosis, higher
risk of
injuries, are some examples of inactivity disorders.
Why do students have to run the mile?
In order to test how strong students' hearts and lungs are we
need to use a
test that is of sufficient length to test their cardiovascular
system, as
well as an activity that all can participate in regardless of
skill, as
standards established through research,and can handle a large
number of
students safely at the same time. The mile run/walk fits those
parameters.
What is the difference between a competitive athlete and a fitness athlete?
A competitive athlete trains to be successful in athletic events
where they
are competing against another person or against another team as
part of a
team. A fitness athlete trains/stays active as a means of
reducing their
risk of disorders/illnesses related to low fitness levels. Not
everyone can
be a good, competitive athlete ... but everyone is capable of
being a
fitness athlete.
What are hypokinetic disorders?
This term refers to the increase in premature deaths that are
linked to an
individuals lack of activity.
Why do students have written homework in phys. ed.?
Students are sometimes given written assignments to help
reinforce fitness
concepts that are presented in class so that when they are
responsible for
their own fitness they will be able to create a comprehensive,
effective
wellness plan.
What is per cent body fat?
Percent body fat is the ratio of an individual's lean body mass
(fluids,
organs, muscles, bones, and organs) to body fat. In order to be
health an
individual needs a certain amount of fat to act as protection,
insulation,
as well as a source of energy. Too little fat can be a health
risk just as
too much fat.
What is the two question test?
This is a simple way for kids ... or grown ups ... to determine
whether or not they are working hard enough to make their heart
and lungs stronger. Just ask yourself these two, simple
questions: Am I breathing harder? Am I sweating? If the answer
is yes ... then you're working at a level that will make your
heart and lungs stronger. It's an easy concept for people to
use ... especially younger children.
I don't like this. Do I have to do it?
Yes.
