Archive for Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Lifetime fitness
Establishing fitness habits for our youngsters is at least as important as promoting team sports.
October 27, 2009
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When local school or parks and recreation officials start talking about youth activities, the focus often moves quickly to facilities that primarily are aimed at accommodating team sports.
Team sports are great. They help youngsters learn to get along with other people and work together toward a common goal. But how many people continue to be involved in team sports when they get past 30 or 50? Unlike team sports, fitness is a lifelong pursuit.
That’s why a couple of programs recently featured in the Journal-World seem to be on the right track. One is an effort by some parents of students at Langston Hughes School to share their success with the Bobcat Marathon Club. The aim of the club is for children to complete a standard marathon of 26.2 miles, one mile at a time. Currently, 150 students are participating in the running challenge.
Parents at other schools had inquired about the program, so the Langston Hughes parents have put together “Marathon Club In A Box” to share their experiences and help other schools get started. They also are spearheading their first “Mile-at-a-Time Marathon Kickoff,” Nov. 7 at the Hy-Vee store at 4000 W. Sixth to provide added inspiration.
Their initial goal for the program was to get students outside and involved in some kind of exercise. Running and/or walking also is an activity they can pursue by themselves at almost any age.
At Central Junior High School, a fundraising effort allowed the school to hire personal trainers to exercise with students after school two days a week. According to organizers, the goal was to provide high quality instruction in strength, fitness and nutrition. The program at Central is a pilot program, but the organizers hope it can be continued and expanded throughout the district.
Several students interviewed for Sunday’s Journal-World story said the workouts would help them stay in shape between organized sports seasons. We hope the program also attracts students who aren’t involved in team sports but can benefit from the instruction. As Michel Loomis, a teacher at Central, said, “We’re working on sustainability. It’s much more important for younger people because they can do it their whole life.”
Sustainability is the key. Not all youngsters are interested in team sports, but fitness is for everyone. Amid all the attention on youth sports competition, it’s great to see some local programs focusing on fitness instruction and activities that may spur a habit of exercise and health that will stick with students throughout their lives.
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27 October 2009
at 3:37 a.m.
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merrill (Anonymous) says…
Running can have serious negative impacts on the joints…knees,ankles etc etc even at young ages.
Staying in shape does not require multi million dollar structures funded on the backs of taxpayers. Using children as the motive is disingenuous.
The Langston Hughes parents also have interest in bicycle travel for their children which is one reason much effort was put into safe crossings around the school. This area also has lots of new sidewalks which are level, free from heaving and volunteer organic matter.
There are children all over town who could love to have level sidewalks,free of heaving and volunteer organic matter. Many of these children would also love to bicycle to and from school. Where's the sidewalk enforcement much of which needs to be aimed at landlords?
This marathon activity seems like an approach that could have an overall positive impact. Hopefully not at the expense of knees,ankles,other joints and muscles. Walking and biking are known to be low impact yet effective. Swimming is low impact exercise.
No one needs to be a track star to be in shape. In fact athletes have long term damage to joints and muscles.
Walking and bike marathons can take place in all neighborhoods. Let's get some walks cleaned up and leveled up.
27 October 2009
at 6:52 a.m.
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JackRipper (Anonymous) says…
the French don't play gimmicks like neurotic Americans. their daily life revolves around activity that is basic, transportation. it is cute how the people living in a part of town created around dumb growth have to come up with gimmicks and of course nothing less than a marathon will do. if we only looked at what countries do where people are really healthy instead of our continuing fad following perhaps we could be healthy but if you keep loading the kids up in the suv to go play what else should we expect.
27 October 2009
at 9:35 a.m.
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moosebooe (Anonymous) says…
Yes, our country needs to have city infra-structure that makes walking and biking everywhere more manageable and yes, our city needs to keep sidewalks maintained for all to use… let's continue to work on this.The bottom line is that right now most kids spend their time playing video games and tinkering on the computer. They have less time for recess and gym at school and many parents don't feel their kids are safe roaming the neighborhood or playing outside while they are at work. An unfortunate consequence of our current society is that obesity in children is on the rise. There are many social issues to tackle here, but let's just take them one at a time. The people at Central Junior High and Langston Hughes Elementary have taken the initiative to do something that benefits the children in Lawrence who choose to get involved. The marathon “gimmick” not only provides kids an opportunity to walk or run one mile at a time (they are not running a marathon at once), it teaches goal setting, gets kids outside in a safe setting, requires commitment and persistence (not the instant gratification they are used to), provides a sense of accomplishment, an opportunity for self discovery and it's all done in a non-competitive environment. Past articles about this marathon club show the kids also getting involved in philanthropic “fun runs”. All in all, I see a program that is creating good citizens for our city's future. The community wide “One Mile at a Time Marathon” promotes walking or running one mile at a time on a person's own time and the whole family is encouraged to get involved. I see no negative in this. The Central High program looks to me to be an amazing program. Not only is it an opportunity to help teens get healthy, but it is motivating and keeps them out of trouble too. Let's not forget that the kids in both programs do it because it's fun! Michel Loomis and the personal trainers involved in this program do wonderful things in this community beyond the Central project. Again, proving to me how good health contributes positively to our community. Kudos to those in our great city of Lawrence that are getting involved and encouraging a life-long habit of fitness.
27 October 2009
at 9:54 a.m.
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JackRipper (Anonymous) says…
ah yes, the excuses parade, we would but it is just so dangerous. and seriously, the philanthropic fun run hardly makes good citizens but does teach the kids how to bullcrap as well as their parents. no we can't walk to school, we need a tshirt and a place to put the bumpersticker.
27 October 2009
at 11:37 a.m.
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Seamus (Anonymous) says…
Jack— there's a good reason why recreation walkers wear those cute little outfits: it's meant to distinguish them from the “losers” who are unable or too poor to drive a car. And who cares what the French do? So what if they are thinner, happier and have fewer chronic ailments. Remember and repeat this chant: “usa! usa! We're number one! USA!”
27 October 2009
at 11:40 a.m.
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Seamus (Anonymous) says…
“The marathon “gimmick” not only provides kids an opportunity to walk or run one mile at a time (they are not running a marathon at once), it teaches goal setting, gets kids outside in a safe setting, requires commitment and persistence (not the instant gratification they are used to), provides a sense of accomplishment, an opportunity for self discovery and it's all done in a non-competitive environment.”
This almost sounds like NEA doublespeak. Just get the kids to start walking more places. Oh, and if you live too far for that to be possible, don't blame us for your fat children.
27 October 2009
at 1:21 p.m.
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JackRipper (Anonymous) says…
Seamus if there isn't a bumpersticker to put on the suv that the parents take their kids to school in and a tshirt it isn't healthy exercise. In Lawrence you can't do something without recognition. And without personal trainers, well that is just not doing things right. I suppose Ms. Loomis walks to school setting a good example, for a fact I know it is entirely doable. Or is that too down home?
27 October 2009
at 1:54 p.m.
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WilburM (Anonymous) says…
As a matter of fact, Mrs. Loomis doesn't walk to school. In part, that's because for 25 years she has arrived at school at 7 a.m. to open the gym for students to play basketball before classes start. And for 25 years she also ran most days, usually through the neighborhoods around Central, where her students and their parents would see her, out there, staying fit.
27 October 2009
at 2:10 p.m.
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JackRipper (Anonymous) says…
as expected, removing utilitarian activities from the day to day and replacing it with being seen activities. so kids seeing her walk to school isn't worthy, like let's say the French and instead neurotic boomerism exercise is better?
27 October 2009
at 2:20 p.m.
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WilburM (Anonymous) says…
wow, you're great at twisting things. As they say, no good deed goes unpunished. And who says running is not utilitarian? Or opening the gym for kids?
27 October 2009
at 2:24 p.m.
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JackRipper (Anonymous) says…
oh i'm sorry, i didn't know you meant she ran to and from school each morning and afternoon.
27 October 2009
at 2:41 p.m.
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somedude20 (Anonymous) says…
Please please please do not make “our” children fit!!! Americans are meant to be fat, laz, and with an entitlement chip on their shoulders. The best way is to teach them this when they are young fat kids. No no Johnny, sit and play your segaxboxplaystation and eat another box of twinkeys.
When the zombies come, the first to go are the fat ones (this is why we need them)
27 October 2009
at 3:34 p.m.
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BABBOY (Anonymous) says…
Did Merrell read a different editorial then I did. I do not see either option discussed in the editorial saying anything about building a multi-million dollar gym.
Not opposed to his idea of bike trials or walking trials or better sidewalks.
But, I think they were talking about school programs to promote staying in shape. They did not sound all that expensive to me. The trainer idea sounds real good because they could also address nutritional issues.
27 October 2009
at 4:04 p.m.
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Seamus (Anonymous) says…
Why can't someone walk to a place before 7 am? Or is this just more excuse-making? And you're right Jack— without some sort of recognition then there's no reason to exercise. Walking for transportation is for po' folks and weirdos apparently.
27 October 2009
at 4:06 p.m.
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Seamus (Anonymous) says…
A lot of this has to do with the American propensity for compartmentalizing everything. Shopping must be in a district away from everything else. Homes are segregated by value. And, apparently, combining transportation with daily exercise is just beyond the pale for our fellow countrymen who believe that exercise must be some stand-alone enterprise.
27 October 2009
at 4:07 p.m.
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Seamus (Anonymous) says…
And it must be stand-alone because otherwise it wouldn't be a marketable commodity on which Nike can capitalize.
27 October 2009
at 7:19 p.m.
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JackRipper (Anonymous) says…
Seamus, did you read it like I did also that, no, in fact Ms Loomis doesn't walk or jog to school but does make a show at noon for people to see how exercise is removed from the utilitarian aspects of life, never to mix because that would just be uncool? Walking or jogging with special clothing to demonstrate that indeed it is only being done to exercise and in no way being used for something useful like getting somewhere. Yes, that's what we want to teach the kids, drive expensive cars when walking is an option and be sure never to mix exercise and transportation needs together.
27 October 2009
at 8:29 p.m.
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Bernardo_de_la_Paz (Anonymous) says…
While I find most of this commentary inane soapbox criticism of an educator trying to do a good thing, you bring up an interesting point, Seamus.
“A lot of this has to do with the American propensity for compartmentalizing everything. Shopping must be in a district away from everything else. Homes are segregated by value. And, apparently, combining transportation with daily exercise is just beyond the pale for our fellow countrymen who believe that exercise must be some stand-alone enterprise”
Travelling abroad, I've seen urban areas that consist of multi-story townhomes where the ground floor is almost always dedicated to business. In practice, every residential block hosts a massive community of small business that cater to the local population. Bicycle and motorcycle shops, local grocers, restaurants, dentists and hair stylists that serve their local community with no need for parking lots because their customers are all local residents. Not only are these small businesses more accountable for their performance and service, I expect these communities will have a major advantage when automobile dependency becomes unsustainable. I would love to live in a community that took this approach instead of the zoning practice that we enforce in good ol' USA.
27 October 2009
at 8:48 p.m.
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JackRipper (Anonymous) says…
Bernardo exactly how is inane when the the actions, although not intended, just not considered, of separating the kind of walking you describe in Europe from exercise done strictly as exercise? That is America in a nutshell. We'll continue to sprawl, even in a town of so called liberals, sprawl is still rampant, but by golly we'll fix what it does to people by driving to the gym or putting on special clothes and running around a bit. If instead, especially in this case where the distances are well within reason, people don't apply usual activities as a form of exercise into their lives why should anyone be impressed? Of course in Lawrence it really is all about the image and seldom is it really meaningful actions.