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 "fitness athlete" and a "competitive athlete"
- What is "sedentary death" syndrome?
- Why do students have written homework in phys. ed.?
- What is "percent body fat" ?
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.
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 "fitness athlete" and a "competitive 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 is "sedentary death" syndrome?
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 "percent 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.
