Benefits of Exercise for Children Tested

4

Conclusions
(1) This study clearly demonstrates the protocol is an impartial and direct indicator of the effectiveness of a PE program. It also has an ability to measure changes from short term programs. Some shortcomings in the application and administration of the protocol were identified and are discussed below.

(2) The study shows that regular (daily) PE which emphasizes the maintenance of heart rates in a recognized training zone (135-190 bpm) yields both biometric (blood analysis) and anthropometric (physical measurements) improvements. Most notable was the marked improvement in average cardiovascular endurance of the 6th Grade group, and some outstanding changes of individuals within the group. The 3rd Graders had more mixed results, but also registered significant individual improvements, especially those most at risk to ECD.

(3) The effectiveness of the Early Sport PE program is shown in this study. It achieves its two major goals of keeping student heart rates in the zone 50%+ of the class time, and positively impacting the ECD health risk profile of participants. It does this while providing ability-appropriate, skills-based physical activity to children of all capabilities. Students found Early Sport's non-competitive approach to PE to be fun and to their liking.

All students in the Study Groups appeared to enjoy the changed philosophical approach to physical activity which encouraged non-competitive participation and progress at each individual's level. As an indication of the program's design to enable meaningful participation by students of all abilities, about two weeks into the program, there was a 'mini rebellion' by a small group of athletically capable 3rd Grade boys. Being used to dominating their PE classes, and finding themselves no longer quite so dominant, they registered their dissatisfaction. All remained in the program after counselling on the desirability of everyone being able to participate and their not having to always be 'the best' or 'the winner.'

(4) The use of HRM technology is not a requirement of the Early Sport program. It was employed in the study to accurately record the time each student spent in the target zone while in class. Still, almost without exception, both Study Groups found the adoption of heart rate technology not only interesting, but also motivating. The idea of maintaining heart rate within a particular range had universal appeal and the great majority of students made a concerted effort to remain in their training range.

Early Sport enthusiastically endorses the addition of HRM's to the Early Sport program, and firmly believes all elementary school PE programs ought to use HRM's (where budgets allow), both to validate their program and to educate and motivate their participants. Using objective, real-time feedback to each child on their physical efforts, as provided by heart rate monitors, allows achievement of the goal of improved cardiovascular endurance without either over-stressing the child or allowing excessive recovery time to negate the benefit.

(5) Given the burgeoning ECD problem of America's youth, the data from this study present a powerful and convincing rationale for the regular (3-5 times per week) inclusion of PE in elementary schools. It also presents the idea that, whether a PE class is led by a classroom teacher or a PE specialist, whether "old" or "new" PE, a key outcome of every PE program must be showing it has a positive and ongoing benefit on ECD health risk profiles. To be sure, there are other reasons for PE programs. But, in these times of tight education budgets and the subsequent elimination of funds for PE, the ability to achieve real, measurable, provable progress in combating ECD must be the seminal criterion upon which all PE programs must be measured. If the very real, immediate peril to the lives and health of our school children from ECD is not a sufficient motivator to restart P.E programs, surely the other reasons for them will fail also.

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