Medicine Ball for All Kids by Patrick Mediate & Avery Faigenbaum

Author:Patrick Mediate & Avery Faigenbaum [Faigenbaum, Patrick Mediate & Avery]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Healthy Learning
Published: 2011-09-22T16:00:00+00:00

Activating Physical Education

Physical education teachers are ultimately responsible for modifying games and activities to match the various fitness levels and abilities of all the participants. If the curriculum is irrelevant, boring, or too challenging, students will likely develop negative attitudes toward physical education. Conversely, with competent instruction, quality practice time, and age-appropriate activities, students can learn the basic skills they need for successful and enjoyable participation in a variety of medicine ball activities. In school-based medicine ball training programs, success is not measured by simply assessing gains in muscular strength, but rather by watching students master tasks and move forward in difficulty levels. By progressing gradually and receiving positive reinforcement, students will gain confidence in their abilities to perform medicine ball exercises. Medicine ball training is a wonderful way to spark an interest in elementary school physical education, because balls invoke a natural desire to play.

Despite previous concerns that children would not benefit from medicine ball training or that this type of training was inappropriate for youth under age 12, research studies and observations from physical education teachers and health-care providers indicate that boys and girls in elementary school can benefit from medicine ball training provided that developmentally appropriate guidelines are followed. Although no minimum age requirement exists for participation in a medicine ball program, all participating children should be able to accept and follow directions and understand the potential benefits and risks associated with this type of training. As a point of reference, many seven-and eight-year-old children have participated in supervised medicine ball games and activities. While a one-kilogram medicine ball is typically used with children, the weight of the ball will vary depending upon body size, individual abilities, and training experience.

When designing medicine ball programs for elementary school children, it is important to remember that no matter how big or strong a child is, adult training programs and training philosophies (e.g., no pain, no gain) should not be imposed on youth. Since most elementary school children have no experience exercising with medicine balls, the focus of medicine ball training programs at the elementary level should be on learning proper form and technique and experiencing success. Explain, demonstrate, and then have the students perform each exercise while you watch and provide constructive feedback. This role model approach has proven highly effective for eliciting enthusiastic and energetic responses from students.

Throughout each class, teachers should interact with the students, listen to each child’s concerns, and closely monitor each child’s ability to perform the prescribed exercise. This interaction is particularly important when working with children who are sedentary or overweight, because positive interactions will likely have a favorable impact on students’ attitudes toward the teacher and the activities. Positive interactions include listening, showing interest, giving constructive feedback, and publicly recognizing desirable behaviors.

In school-based programs, boys and girls should exercise together. Encourage children to try new exercises and focus on participation with lots of movement. Demonstrate every exercise, because children will try to imitate the technique of a teacher or coach. Children who

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.