The Official SPARK Blog

The SPARK Blog Has Moved!

2009-09-28T16:00:00.000-07:00

Please visit http://www.sparkpe.org/blog/ to view all current blog articles.

Thanks!

-The SPARK Team

Where is Health?

2009-09-09T08:27:00.000-07:00

This was not written as a blog entry. It was written as an op-ed piece for a newspaper. However, 4 major newspapers have rejected it, but I would like someone to read it, so I am sharing it with you. I wrote this piece because even before the health reform debate devolved into a depressing spectacle of shouting and fear-mongering, almost noone was talking about how reforms might actually improve health. Use your freedom of speech to make your views known on this critical national issue.

Where is Health?

Where is health in the debate over health care reform? The mass media debate is almost completely about improving health care coverage, reducing health care costs, and paying for the increased coverage. There is a great deal of media attention to the proposed public option for insurance, and we hear a lot from hospital groups, insurance companies, and the pharmaceutical industry about what the proposals would do to their businesses. But people’s health is virtually absent from the mass media debate; an afterthought at best. Every so often there is a passing mention of prevention or enhanced primary care, but no explanation of what that might mean.

Where is health in the Congressional debates? Believe it or not, health is present in discussions of preventing disease to both control health care costs and improve the health of Americans. Did you know that in the Senate three committees are working on health reform and one of those is focused on prevention and public health? I’m guessing you did not know that. I’ve been looking for reports on their work, and I don’t find them in the mass media.

Where is health on the minds of the American people? Surprise, it’s the number one priority for health reform. A May 2009 Trust for America’s Health poll of 1014 US voters identified prevention as the top priority of six health reform proposals that included universal health care coverage and prohibiting insurance companies from denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions. What’s more, 76% of voters supported investing more money in prevention, and that included at least 70% of Republicans, Democrats, and Independents.

Why is the public debate on health care so discrepant from the public’s interest in health improvement? This is a question that needs to be answered by media organizations, but here is my guess. The debate is being driven by money, health care industry money. Hospitals, insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, medical device makers, medical testing companies, and physician groups are the beneficiaries of the current system that spends $2 trillion annually. They are on the receiving end of the unrelenting rise in health care costs. They have something to lose if Americans become healthier, so I imagine they are sending the most letters and emails to news organizations and lobbyists to Capitol Hill. Their primary concern is the financial health of their companies, so excuse them if they don’t talk much about the health of the American people.

Who is representing the voice of the American people who want a health system that helps them stay healthy and prevent disease? Almost nobody. There are public interest groups and foundations that are trying to make their voices heard and find some scraps for prevention, but they are no match for the lobbying activities of giant health care industries. If you are one of the 76% of American voters who wants health reform to create a health system that invests much more in prevention, you are going to have to speak for yourself. Express your opinion to your representatives and to news outlets.

But as we prepare to speak our minds, let’s be clear about what prevention really is. In the health care debate, prevention usually refers to mammograms, prostate screening, and cholesterol testing. These are worthy but not at the heart of making people healthier. Prevention can summed up by “3four50”. This means that 3 behaviors (smoking, inactivity, poor diet) contribute to four leading diseases (heart disease, cancers, diabetes, and lung disease) that in turn are responsible for 50% of all deaths in the world, more in the U.S. As everyone knows, achieving those behavior changes is difficult. But, if our health system was designed to focus on preventing smoking and helping people be physically active and eat sensible portions of nutritious foods, we could prevent disease, reduce the need for health care, and control health care costs. This is our chance for true health reform. Let’s add the voice of the American people to the debate before it’s too late.

Jim Sallis

www.drjamessallis.sdsu.edu

Honey, Please Pass the Scale?

2009-09-02T12:55:00.000-07:00

The next time you and your spouse sit down to dinner together, take a critical look at all the food on your table. You might be sharing a pretty unhealthy meal. According to a recent study, married men and women are twice as likely to become obese as the general population. And the longer they live together, the greater the risk.

By the way, women should not think they’ll be exempt from packing on the pounds if they forgo the marriage license and simply live with the one they love. Women co-habitating with a romantic partner have a 64% greater risk of obesity. However, men co-habitating with a romantic partner have no increased risk at all—proving once again that it's really great to be born male.

The researchers, from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, aren’t sure why marriage might make you fat. They do note that being married does provide other health benefits, including decreased smoking and longer life. “But we also see greater weight gain than in others of the same age, and greater risk of obesity,” said Penny Gordon-Larsen, an associate professor of nutrition at UNC and co-author of the study.

According to Gordon-Larsen, when people are living together – married or not – they tend to share behaviors and activity patterns. They may chose to eat meals together, possibly cooking bigger meals or eating out more often than they did when they were single, and may watch TV together instead of going to the gym or playing a sport. Gordon-Larsen said that in subsequent interviews with both romantic partners, they found that couples who lived together for more than two years (especially those who were married) were most likely to display similar weight/obesity patterns and physical activity behaviors.

The UNC researchers suggest that, just as spouses share unhealthy behaviors, they could learn to share healthy behaviors. Would the couple that runs together be as likely to stay together as the couple who shares a late night venture out for Mexican food and margaritas?

I think there's another factor at play here. Prior to marriage, we watch what we eat, exercise more, take better care of ourselves -- trying to look better and attract a mate. Then, when the romantic chase is over we say our mutual, "I do's," people become complacent and let themselves go. Too bad. It should be about health -- and not being more physically attractive.

Why don't you "weigh in" on this topic? How many of you have noticed a similar pattern -- weight gain after marriage or co-habitating? What do you think contributes to it?

-Paul Rosengard

This article adapted from Cathy Arnst, "Marriage Makes You Fat" in Business Week magazine.

Obesity Dollars and Sense

2009-08-05T13:38:00.000-07:00

It's swimsuit season -- that time of year when people assess the way the look with fewer clothes on -- and maybe, resolve to make some changes.

Whatever the motivator to shed fat/lose weight, statistics show there is surely a need for Americans to take a long look in the mirror. A recent USA Today front page article titled, "Obesity is a key link to soaring health tab" said that about 40% of adults -- more than 72 million -- were obese in 2006; up from 23% in 1994. And, 2/3 of everyone in the US is overweight or obese. I can almost hear the Europeans chuckling at us...

While many of us judge our bodies by how they look in a bathing suit at the beach, the article goes beyond skin deep. It reports that the cost of healthcare has doubled to $147 billion in a decade, and obesity accounts for almost 10% of that total.

Eric Finkelstein, a health economist says,

"If you really want to rein in healthcare dollars, you have to get people dieting, exercising and living a healthier lifestyle."

Alright, we get it. The message isn't new -- it's just that the statistics are getting worse and the unfortunate result is obesity is costing us more. People KNOW they are overweight and many want to drop some unhealthy fat and be more active, but it's harder than just shouting from the rooftops, "Eat less and move more!" If changing behavior were that easy, we wouldn't be in this predicament.

Here are a few tips for personal change that are less commonly known:

1. Call in a Substitute. Take one thing you consume every day (e.g., coffee creamer) and go from full fat to no fat. This little change done frequently adds up. Once you've made one small change, add another. Rinse and repeat.

2. Take 10: After dinner or anytime, go for a 5 minute walk (always consult your Doctor before beginning any exercise regimen). Five minutes in one direction, then turn around and head back. These 10 minutes -- most if not all days of the week -- will kick-start your activity program. Build from this foundation by increasing your frequency (how many times a week you walk) and duration (how long you walk). And check out a previous blog spot where I talk about how our dog Scout has helped my wife Wendy become a daily walker -- after work.

3. Tell a Friend: Ask someone you know to be your health coach. Encourage you to eat regular size portions -- and try and eat smaller meals 4-5 times a day, instead of 3 big ones. More frequent eating helps regulate your blood sugar, keeps you from getting hungry, and fires up your metabolism. Use that friend for support (e.g., an exercise buddy). By the way, my wife Wendy does this for an optimal health program called Take Shape for Life (www.spreadyourwings.tsfl.com). It works, people lose weight and keep it off, and I highly recommend it!

While personal responsibility is by far the main factor in weight management -- our communities can play a role -- positive or negative. From the USA Today article, here are 6 steps communities can take to help prevent obesity:

1. Put schools within easy walking distance of residential areas.

2. Improve access to outdoor recreational facilities.

3. REQUIRE PHYSICAL EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS -- YEA!

4. Enhance traffic safety in areas where people could be physically active.

5. Enhance infrastructure supporting walking and biking.

6. Discourage consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks.

So, if you haven't had that long, self-assessment look in the mirror yet this summer, maybe it's time. Ultimately, it's up to each of us to be in control of our own healthy lifestyle. If we don't, healthcare costs will take control of us.

-Paul Rosengard

It's About Professional Growth

2009-07-30T09:22:00.000-07:00

This was a great week of the year for all of us at SPARK. We just finished hosting our K-2 and 3-6 physical education Institutes and meeting approximately 100 passionate educators from around the globe. Since 1995, SPARK has been facilitating these professional growth opportunities for individuals whose districts are either too small, too poor, or too poorly prioritized to bring a SPARK trainer to them. Institutes provide the opportunity for people to come to SPARK -- and we love it.

While we do our best to limit each program focus to the first 40 people to register, we usually invite a number of special guests to observe, and they may swell our numbers to 50 or more. This year, we entertained people from India, China, Canada, Australia and myriad cities and towns across the U.S. Personally, I think learning about physical education in other countries is fascinating. For example, in China, children start preschool at age 3 and don't begin at the elementary school until age 6 or 7 -- missing what we call Kindergarten, and beginning in first grade. In India, almost everyone speaks English, and our SPARK books don't have to be translated for teachers there. What we refer to as Standards in the U.S., are known as Outcomes in Canada. And Canadian funding for education comes only from provincial money, not from the federal government, therefore, each province writes their own outcomes. By the way, SPARK has already aligned with Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan outcomes and they're posted on our website Here.

In the evenings, we have a place selected for people to meet, eat, and socialize with our SPARK staff. While it's definitely about having fun in the sun in San Diego and meeting new friends, SPARK Institutes are designed so each person receives the best possible physical education workshop -- and learns SPARK's unique content and instructional methodology. Our specially selected, fantastic trainers (this week it was Courtney Sjoerdsma and Ken McFadden for K-2; Julie Green and Joan Gillem for 3-6) inspire and motivate everyone, often taking the skeptical and converting them into our most enthusiastic advocates. And, each person leaves with a thorough understanding of SPARK and all training, materials, and support they need to begin "practicing" the craft with their students right away.

We encourage these newly formed professional families to stay in touch with us and one another, and we facilitate that via email distribution lists, our monthly e-newsletter, and the opportunity to visit SPARK again for another Institute in the future. For the people that attended the Level I K-2 and 3-6 last week, they're ready now for Level II Institute next year, or whenever they're ready to see us again.

If YOU haven't attended a SPARK Institute yet, I highly recommend it. I don't know anyone who didn't think it was a terrific experience and well worth their time and money.

Hope to see YOU in San Diego next year!

-Paul Rosengard

It was 20 years ago today!

2009-07-22T09:31:00.000-07:00

In August 1989 the SPARK study began, with funding from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Our goal was to create a national model of physical education designed to respond to children’s health needs. We wanted to not only get kids active, but “turn them on” to activity and build the physical and behavior-change competencies they needed to remain active and healthy.

Twenty years later, I can say we succeeded beyond my wildest expectations! The SPARK and M-SPAN studies provided some of the evidence that led The Community Guide to strongly recommend enhanced physical education as an evidence-based intervention. We now have a suite of physical activity and school health programs to help young people remain active. There is a network of talented trainers across the country who provide hundreds of enthusiastically-received trainings every year. We have shown that when teachers learn to use SPARK, they keep using it for years. Most importantly, well over 1 million children benefit from SPARK every day. I often say SPARK is the most fulfilling experience of my career.

Of course, I was just a catalyst for what SPARK has become. Thom McKenzie is the architect who built a fabulous program. Paul Rosengard is the mastermind behind the blossoming of SPARK into a powerful force for improving health throughout the nation (and hopefully, soon, the world). It is a rare combination of skills to go from being an award-winning coach to a PE innovator to directing the phenomenal growth of SPARK, while maintaining quality and our strong reputation the whole time.

Recently, the SPARK staff and the master trainers got together to celebrate SPARK’s 20^th birthday. It was a special occasion for me for many reasons. I really enjoyed paying tribute to Thom, Paul, and all the fabulous staff. It was a special treat to recognize SPARK employee numero uno, Kecia Carrasco. She was number one then, and she is number one now. We are all blessed that she is still devoting her considerable talents to SPARK. And it wouldn’t have been a SPARK party without a lot of fun activities. The master trainers led us in 3 great dances under the California sun, and I hope you get a chance to see some of the video.

With all that the SPARK team has accomplished, it is not nearly enough. While SPARK was growing, so was the obesity epidemic. It is very fortunate that we created some solutions for this problem, because concern about childhood obesity is certainly driving much of the interest in what we can provide. But still most schools do not have evidence-based activity-focused physical education. Most after-school, preschool, and recreation programs are not active enough. We have much more to do. But “with a little help from our friends” we will “come together” and SPARK the “revolution” that is needed to get every child active so they can be healthier and happier.

Jim Sallis

www.drjamessallis.sdsu.edu

This ATM Isn’t About Money

2009-07-08T16:51:00.000-07:00

Nope – this ATM is the SPARK Annual Trainers Meeting and it’s one of those special things that sets SPARK apart from other organizations. Each year, SPARK brings its top trainers to San Diego for 2+ days of professional and personal growth. The professional comes from constantly striving to improve SPARK workshop agendas, powerpoints, and facilitation techniques. The personal from the friendships that grow when terrific people gather because of a shared passion for children and teaching.

SPARK is a training organization at heart, because we know from research that the most efficacious of what we refer to as the “essential components” (i.e., curriculum, staff development, follow up support, and equipment) is the teacher training. And, if you can change (for the better) the way a teacher teaches, then you have a chance to impact many children over time. So, SPARK invests to find the best presenters, train them well, and support their ongoing development.

Each SPARK program (Early Childhood, After School, Physical Education K-2, 3-6, Middle and High school, and Coordinated School Health) has a Lead Trainer. The Lead Trainers mentor their flock and gather feedback on how to improve their program’s content, instruction, and equipment lists.

Trainers begin as novices and once they complete an extensive training program, they can advance to Certified, Master, and Elite levels. Today, SPARK is proud to have more than a dozen trainers with over a decade worth of experience conducting SPARK workshops. And in this case, experience matters.

So, the next time you’re ready to deposit or withdraw money from your ATM, think about our ATM. Yours might have a lot of cash stored inside, but ours is priceless.

-Paul Rosengard

Happy Birthday SPARK!

2009-06-25T13:55:00.000-07:00

“It was 20years ago today, Dr. Sallis taught the band to play.”

Can you believe it, SPARK is 20 years old! Back in June 1989, Drs. Sallis and McKenzie received funding to start the original research project. Their very first employee was Kecia Carrasco, who began as the office manager; and today, Kecia is SPARK’s Fiscal Manager. One of the two first PE specialists hired, B.J. Williston, is still contributing to SPARK content as a co-author of our K-2 and 3-6 manuals, and she’s working on the next edition of SPARK Middle School PE. We have over 10 trainers that have been conducting SPARK workshops for more than a decade, and many other employees that have been “SPARKing” for over 5 years. Jim and Thom hired me in August 1990 to be the Head Teacher in the research study, and it has been a great ride.

All of us “SPARKers,” past and present – hope you’ll continue to be a part of our growing family. Speaking for Jim, Thom, and all of us on the SPARK team – THANK YOU for a great 20 years.

“Dr. Sallis’ lonely SPARKclub band.”

-Paul Rosengard

Do You Live in a Healthy Neighborhood?

2009-06-18T14:58:00.000-07:00

I was recently asked to propose a short list of indicators of a “healthy neighborhood.” The list was to be considered by the San Diego Childhood Obesity Initiative, which is a wonderful coalition working hard to improve environments and policies to support children’s health. I thought others might be interested in the list, so I am sharing it here.

The items represent my understanding of likely physical or built environmental influences on diet, physical activity, and sedentary behaviors. Many of the items are consistent with evidence. I believe the general concepts are sound, but the specific numbers and distances are best guesses. For present purposes I added a few priority indicators for healthy schools and homes.

Healthy food access

Supermarket or other source of affordable fresh fruits and vegetables within ½ mile of homes
No more than 2 convenience or liquor stores within ½ mile of homes
No more fast food than sit-down restaurants within ½ mile of homes
Community garden within 1 mile of homes
Weekly farmer’s market within 1 mile of homes

Facilities for active recreation

Park with play equipment in good working order within ½ mile of homes
Parks have walking paths
Daily youth activity programs for free or sliding scale fees in all parks
Private recreation facility with sliding scale fees within ½ mile of homes
Nearest school activity facilities is open for public use

Designing for active transport

Sidewalks on every street in neighborhood
Pedestrian aids (crosswalks, signal) at intersection with nearest busy street
Street pattern creates direct routes from homes to nearby destinations
Nearest shopping area has sidewalks and safe pedestrian crossings
Public transit stop within ½ mile of homes

Healthy school environments

Evidence-based physical education offered daily
Markings on preschool and elementary playgrounds to stimulate active play
Sidewalks, marked crosswalks, and traffic calming within ¼ mile of each school to facilitate safe walking and biking
Salad bars with multiple raw food choices daily in every cafeteria
Only healthy foods provided at school
Convenience stores and fast food restaurants are not within ¼ mile of schools
No food advertising in schools

Healthy home environments

No televisions in children’s bedrooms
Only healthy foods out on the counter for snacking
Sports and activity supplies available for both indoor and outdoor play
A bicycle or skateboard for every child

James Sallis

www.drjamessallis.sdsu.edu

Rage Against the Political Machine

2009-06-09T16:07:00.000-07:00

SPARK was born and bred in California, and while we're proud of our beautiful beaches, mountains, deserts and diversity, when the topic turns to politics, we deflate like a leaky balloon.

That's because when you google, "budget crisis," you see a big picture of the Golden State with a black hole where Sacramento used to be. CA was in terrible economic shape BEFORE the great recession hit. Now, our Governor is actually talking about closing state parks, selling the Del Mar Fairgrounds and racetrack, and other extreme measures to make up for the revenue shortfall. CA is beyond broke -- which connotates no money to spend -- we're in debt, big debt, all the way up to the top of our surfboards.

You know the cycle. Budget woes affect schools, school budgets effect physical education (PE), and politicians begin writing non-sensical legislation. I"m embarassed to say, that a local, San Diego based Assembly-person, Mary Salas, was the ringleader for one of the worst PE inspired ideas since picking teams for dodgeball. She drafted and tried to pass a bill (AB 351) that would allow high school students to take band, ROTC, (et. al.) in lieu of their PE requirement.

This concept was popular with some parents and students, who unfortunately, don't know the difference between physical education (a standards-based, progressive, sequential, and evaluated course of study) and physical activity. And it became painfully obvious Ms. Salas and her staff didn't either. Either that or the idea of upsetting some influential parents was just too hard of a stand to take. I personally spoke on the phone with one of her assistants, and while he listened to reason, I was quite certain his boss's mind was made up.

My argument? Students are physically active (at times) in band and ROTC, of course, but to draw a parallel to those programs and physical education is simply wrong. It's the equivalent of allowing students to take band instead of Math (afterall, they march in formation, count the number of instruments) or ROTC instead of Science (guns are made of metals and consist of elements) or cheerleading instead of English (students read and write routines). You get the idea.

Now look, we all love giving students choices, and ROTC and band in and of themselves, should absolutely be a part of every high school's program. There is no disrespect or devaluation here, I believe ALL learning and moving opportunities are important. It's more an apples to oranges approach when you talk about equivalent substitutes.

And, with the CA high school PE requirement already limited to freshman year -- and one more before graduation -- presenting more "opt out options" represents a move in the wrong direction. Students need MORE quality PE, daily; not less.

Fortunately, physical educators around the state, including Arleen Hammerschmidt, Joe Herzog, Kim Butler, Ashley Wirth, Bruce Bettey, and countless others, rallied with organizations (including SPARK and CAHPERD) to fight this bill and it's backers.

However, in the end, logic and reason prevailed. The bill was killed -- DOA! A true victory for physical education and physical educators -- and our supporters in health, and other related fields.

Well, California is a great place to live. We still have our budget crisis, our crazy politicians, a Governor who has trouble pronouncing our state, but that's OK. When cornered, our people pull together and fight the madness and do what's best for our kids. Let's all hope we have a few parks and pennies to leave them when our latest financial mess is behind us.

-Paul Rosengard

Physical Educators North of the Border

2009-06-03T09:24:00.000-07:00

I always liked the Canadian national anthem. Think it has a nice melody. I heard a real Canadian sing it in beautiful Banff at their national PHE (Physical and Health Education) conference this month, and she really belted it out with pride.

The conference was terrific. It was attended by 1,000 dedicated professionals, a nice mix of university pedagogy people, elementary and middle school practitioners, and a smattering of high school folks. All of them appeared to love their jobs, and yet, they experience some of the same challenges we do in the states (e.g., lack of administrative priority for PE, not enough elementary specialists, classroom teachers responsible to instruct PE but lacking some of the resources to actually do it, secondary people who place coaching first instead of teaching, just to name a few).

So while there were many similarities, there were some differences. What we refer to as Standards, they call Outcomes. Their provinces seem to have more autonomy when it comes to receiving funding then our states do, the weather is (generally speaking), colder more often, so outside activities are less frequent. And, I couldn't help but notice that the % of overweight teachers appeared to be far lower than ours. I give them credit for walking the talk.

I presented a session called, "SPARK's Greatest Hits," but the surprise was that our greatest hits consisted of our unique teaching strategies rather than the terrific activities we're known for. I incorporated a variety of content and instruction examples into 3 main themes:

1. Talk Less
2. Disguise and Differentiate
3. Modify Traditional Sports

One of our SPARK trainers there, Dan Cooney, led a session called, "Disguising Fitness." It was a dynamic sampling of activities from elementary through middle school and the attendees had a great time "playing up a sweat."

The handouts are posted on this website http://www.sparkpe.org/MovingMountains.pdf
If you are one of the very nice people I met at the conference, or at Mt. Royal College in Calgary, where I presented on several topics the day prior to leaving for Banff, I hope you'll stay in touch with us at SPARK and take advantage of all the resources we have to offer.
If you're one of the unfortunate few that hasn't visited Canada for vacation or for professional growth, I strongly recommend planning a trip one day. I think you'll find the people are more than accommodating, the physical educators are top notch and happy to share ideas, and the scenery (especially in Banff) is something very special.

Thanks to my new Canadian friends for a great trip, and special kudos to my fantastic hosts, Bill McGregor and Harry Deboer of School Specialty Canada, who made it all happen.

"Oh Canada, We Stand on Guard for Thee!"

-Paul Rosengard

Stuck in the Sixties

2009-05-27T11:31:00.000-07:00

By Dr. Thom McKenzie

Forty-three years ago this week (1966) I received my first degree, a Bachelors of Physical Education. I had mastered a very excellent program, and I had wonderful teachers. They ensured that I was physically fit, physically skilled, current academically on exercise physiology, kinesiology, and other subjects, and that I had practice and feedback on managing and instructing students. I was ready for my first job as a high school teacher and coach, and I did well at it.

My teacher preparation program taught me nothing at all about promoting physical activity or changing human behavior (Skinner was still being entertained by rodents in his laboratory). But that was OK because it was the sixties and sedentary living was not yet a problem. There were no global obesity and diabetes crises and the term diabesity had not yet been coined. I was not at all concerned with getting my students active outside the gym, because they did this automatically. Most walked to school, many did physical labor at home, and the only screen time to worry about was during fly season in the summer.

In my current job as a researcher I spend more time observing what happens in gyms than directing what goes on there. Teachers are still doing pretty much what I did over 40 years ago, although they now face much larger classes and more disruptive students. I find most are pretty well prepared. Unfortunately their preparation has been aimed primarily at facing the challenges that I encountered long ago, not the challenges of today.

In a scientific study using direct observation we found that PE teachers in six states spent only about 20 seconds of each class prompting or encouraging their middle school students to be active outside of class (McKenzie et al., 2006). In addition at AAHPERD this spring, I conducted a very unscientific poll of physical educators and teacher educators. Of the over 40 higher education institutions represented, only two offered current physical education majors courses in behavior analysis/behavior modification and none provided coursework in social marketing.

Even when offered daily, PE provides only a small proportion of the 60 minutes per day recommended by health authorities. According to NASPE Standard 3, a physically educated person “participates regularly in physical activity.” PE teachers cannot help students meet this objective unless they have been prepared to promote physical activity beyond their gym walls. It is time for PETE (Physical Education Teacher Education) programs to become unstuck from the sixties. In the interim, it is up to district staff development programs to help teachers acquire the new skills that are needed to assist students to avoid a lifetime of sedentary living.

References:

McKenzie, T. L. (2007). The preparation of physical educators: A public health perspective. Quest, 59, 346-357.

McKenzie, T. L., Catellier, D. J., Conway, T., Lytle, L. A., Grieser, M., Webber, L. A., Pratt, C. A, & Elder, J. P. (2006). Girls’ activity levels and lesson contexts during middle school PE: TAAG baseline. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 38(7), 1229-1235.

Where does PE fit within our schools? (Part Two)

2009-05-13T09:10:00.000-07:00

Can PE contribute optimally to both educational and health goals? There is a clear illustration that public health’s priorities for PE are not shared in the PE field. The public health concern is that PE is the only required time for physical activity that affects almost all students on a regular basis. Remember that almost all of the school day is enforced sitting. It is essential to ensure that opportunity for activity and health promotion is not missed. The Healthy People health promotion objectives for the US adopted a goal that at least 50% of PE class time would be spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Everyone is aware that “PE is more than just physical activity,” but the objective does not require that PE would be reduced to exercise programs where students run all the time. Active learning, less-active skill drills, game play, and some didactics would seem to fit comfortably in classes that are at least 50% active. But studies show 50% MVPA requires planning, and often training and an appropriate curriculum. Major studies funded by NIH, such as SPARK, CATCH, LEAP, and TAAG showed that activity levels can be raised in elementary, middle, and high schools, so the 50% MVPA is realistic and evidence-based.

The 50% MVPA objective was announced in 1990, repeated in 2000, and is likely to remain in the 2010 editions of Healthy People. CDC’s Community Guide recommends “enhanced” or highly active PE as an evidence-based intervention to promote physical activity. The public health community is strong in its support for PE. However, to my knowledge, no state education department, no PE professional organization, and no school district has adopted the 50% MVPA objective as a requirement or official goal.

This situation demonstrates the need for ongoing dialog between education and health departments at the national, state, and local levels, to work together to achieve multiple aims through excellent PE. Because improved PE would benefit health, perhaps part of PE’s funding should come from the health sector. There are several examples of this approach being effective, so it is a model that could be expanded.

James Sallis

www.drjamessallis.sdsu.edu

Where does PE fit within our schools? (Part One)

2009-05-06T16:13:00.000-07:00

Physical education is at the intersection of at least three major academic thoroughfares. PE has roots in exercise and sports science and represents a primary means of applying the science. PE is itself a pedagogical field and is practiced within educational systems. The public health field claims PE as a health intervention that is of increasing value due to the childhood obesity epidemic. Major intersections are often centers of culture and commerce, but the turf surrounding PE is often contested.

These are my personal observations of how the various fields view PE, though they are necessarily over-generalized. Over the decades PE programs in universities have split from exercise science departments because they could not reconcile the science and application missions. This may not be too unfortunate, because neither the scientists nor the PE practitioners tried too hard to bridge the gap between science and practice. Because all states have some kind of school physical education requirements, education departments in universities and state governments have no choice but to accommodate PE. However, there is a notable lack of enthusiasm for PE on the part of the education establishment. The federal Department of Education provides little leadership or support for PE. Many state education departments refuse to hire a physical education coordinator. After 100 years in the schools, PE is not considered a core subject and education departments remain unsure what to do with PE. The percentage of students taking PE has declined in recent years.

In my view, of the three disciplines, public health has the highest level of interest in PE, because it is part of coordinated school health and physical activity has many physical and mental health benefits. The obesity epidemic has only heightened interest in PE, because obesity is seen as a crisis needing urgent attention. But public health’s interests in PE are often not reciprocated. PE professionals seem much more interested in gaining status as a core academic discipline than in ensuring PE is optimized to benefit children’s health. Is it possible for PE to improve its status within education while improving children’s health? I will touch on this in my next entry.

James Sallis

www.drjamessallis.sdsu.edu

PE's Unlikely Champion...

2009-04-23T10:38:00.000-07:00

Why am I interested in improving physical education? Two main reasons. The first is professional. I am very aware of the need for excellent, daily, active, fun PE and the long way we have to go to get there. The second is personal, and that’s what I want to write about today. As a kid growing up in the 1950s and 1960s I enjoyed many of my PE experiences, but I also experienced just about every kind of “PE malpractice” you can think of. I was often picked last for teams, running and pushups were used as punishment, we seemed to play dodge ball mainly to amuse PE teachers’ twisted sense of humor, and I spent countless hours “playing right field” but mainly looking for 4-leaf clovers. In junior high and high school we played the same team sports each year, but I never really learned how to play them better. I don’t remember doing any particular skill, exercise, or activity frequently enough to improve. When we were active I had fun, and it was great being outside to escape classroom boredom, but I didn’t understand the point of it.

When I understood the important role PE COULD play in getting children active and prepared for a lifetime of activity, I also became motivated to help kids avoid my negative experiences. I have learned from Thom McKenzie, Paul Rosengard, and other visionaries and dedicated teachers and researchers that PE can be active, educational, and fun.

When we designed the original SPARK study, our goal was to create and evaluate a program that could be a model of health-related PE used around the country. Happily, that has come to pass in many ways. The SPARK story, going from a modest research project to a program improving the lives of more than 1 million children per day, has certainly been my most gratifying professional experience. I am grateful to the people who have worked at SPARK and the many around the nation who have adopted and implemented the program for all these years. I am humbled to have played a role in this wonderful program that so many children learn from, benefit from, and enjoy every day. It has been a long way from my inauspicious start in PE.

Jim Sallis

www.drjamessallis.sdsu.edu

Scout had a bad day

2009-04-17T09:42:00.000-07:00

You might remember our precocious 11 month old (now) female labradoodle Scout from a recent blog entry (“Man’s Best Friend – and Personal Trainer”). Her beautiful long hair (reminiscent of Farrah Fawcett in the 70’s) was recently shorn (like a sheep on the Australian plain) during her first visit to the groomer. We dropped our Rastafarian looking “big dog” and 3 hours later, picked up a French poodle looking “skinny chick.”

We were shocked – (Scout, we hardly knew ye) and from the way Scout acted the rest of the weekend, so was she.

Personally, as much as I love dogs (and all critters for that matter), I have a problem having a poodle. I know, I know, it’s not supposed to be about looks and superficiality (“Oh, that’s the cutest dog I’ve ever seen,” I’d hear and smile with a sense of fatherly pride.) but about love, loyalty, and companionship. So why do I feel I need to adopt a Rottweiller to compensate?

Scout and I used to be most popular pair on the trail (“What kind of dog is that? Love her hair!)” at the yogurt store (“Can I pet your dog -- oh her hair is so soft!”) and at dog beach (It that a boy or a girl? Her coat is so pretty and long I can’t tell.”) Now, we’re ignored like two door to door salesmen with vacuum cleaners in toe.

I know, I know, it’s only hair and it will grow back -- eventually. Scout is still the same sweet dog I know and love. I’ll get over it and try and dig deeper; even move below the shallow surface and my 8^th grade mentality (Wendy’s descriptor for my current attitude).

But for now, if you happen to see Scout and I out for our run, you can call us,

The Hairless Pairless in San Diego.

-Paul Rosengard

Is it time to Tampa with your curriculum?

2009-04-08T10:01:00.000-07:00

I’m just back from 6 rigorous days at the AAHPERD Convention in Tampa. Rigorous, not because I was physically active! Rigorous because I made 5 presentations and participated in 2 additional national meetings that contributed an additional 9 hours of sedentary living to my week. I was again reminded that if we don’t plan for physical activity it will not happen—even if the weather is superb and the beach is next door.

I was also reminded that lots of physical educators are unaware of how many others are attempting to get moving. For example, in October the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the first ever National Guidelines for physical activity. These guidelines describe the types and amounts of physical activity that offer substantial health benefits to Americans. These follow the Surgeon Generals Report on Physical Activity by 12 years (in 1996), and are a BIG deal!

The 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans can be found at http://www.health.gov/PAGuidelines/

Briefly for children and adolescents, the guidelines call for 60 minutes or more of physical activity (PA) daily. Most of this should be of moderate- or vigorous-intensity, and include vigorous intensity at least 3 days a week. Additionally the activity should include muscle-strengthening PA at least 3 days a week and bone-strengthening PA at least 3 days a week.

These guidelines were derived for a thorough review of the evidence related to physical activity and health. This evidence is summarized (if 683 pages can be considered a summary) in a document titled Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee Report 2008. It is also available free from Health and Human Services

http://www.health.gov/PAGuidelines/committeereport.aspx

Based on these new Guidelines, a National Plan for Physical Activity is being developed. This national plan will not only involve Education, but 7 other Sectors:

• Public Health

• Transportation/Urban Design/Community Planning

• Mass Media

• Healthcare

• Business/Industry

• Parks/Recreation/Fitness/Sports

• Not for Profit Organizations

Wouldn’t it be nice if all these sectors came together to help promote physical activity? Actually they are! Each sector is producing a “White Paper” which will be presented at a national meeting in DC in early July [http://www.physicalactivityplan.org/conference2009.htm].

Daryl Siedentop, former dean and professor emeritus at The Ohio State University, will produce the white paper for the education sector. It will have 10 important recommendations regarding how schools can be helpful in promoting physical activity. Stay tuned to see if your school program is aligned with these recommendations. If not, perhaps you will need to “Tampa” with it.

Thrive,

Thom

Got PE?

2009-04-01T10:56:00.000-07:00

Like milk, isn’t physical education (PE) “essential” for kids? Doesn’t it contribute to their growth and development? So why are so many deprived of it?

Myth vs. reality:

“Time in PE is time away from academic pursuits – and that’s what the kids are tested in.”

The latter is true – too bad because PE should be a part of standardized testing – but the former is false. No study has ever shown that more time in PE has a negative impact on academic achievement. The good news? Students don’t have to sacrifice their health for the core subjects – they can have their math and move it too. Need proof? Go to http://www.sparkpe.org/results.jsp

“We don’t have enough money to afford daily, quality, PE – or the credentialed teachers we need to instruct it.”

Budgets are tighter than ever. However, it’s not a money issue – never has been. There is money to spend – not much, not enough, but there IS money. Budgets are always a pie to be consumed and the issue is how do you slice it? How large a piece does PE receive -- deserve? I believe its section should be the equivalent of the other core subjects and not a penny less – and that includes equality for class size too. Class size for PE should be linked to class size averages for other subjects.

“Parents care about grade point averages and want their students in class and learning.”

A national survey of parents and teachers concluded that over 75% opposed eliminating PE due to budget constraints or to meet increased academic standards (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 2003).

There are more myths and contradictory realities. The issue is clear and the time is now. When PE programs and teachers are placed on the budgetary chopping block – speak up. Ask if they plan to stop serving milk in the cafeteria too. Got PE?

We’d like to hear YOUR opinions on this subject. Wipe that milk mustache off your face and speak up! (smiling)

-Paul Rosengard

Physical Inactivity- A Growing Crisis

2009-03-25T08:36:00.000-07:00

This is my first blog. What I’ll try to do is share thoughts that might be useful in furthering my goal of getting people more active, thus healthier and happier. I want to start with the big picture as I see it. Most Americans are very inactive, and the rest of the world is trying to catch up with us. Based on accelerometer monitoring in the NHANES study, fewer than 10% of teenagers and 5% of adults meet physical activity guidelines. The real number is probably higher because accelerometers miss some activities, but I’m sure it is closer to the truth than surveys. If 95% of adults smoked, we would consider it a health crisis, but that’s about where we are with physical inactivity. We should consider it a crisis.

The epidemics of obesity and type 2 diabetes in adults and children are indications that low activity levels, along with disastrous eating habits, are the biggest health challenges of our time. I suggest you check out www.3four50.org. The basic idea is that 3 behaviors—smoking, inactivity, poor diet—are the main causes of four diseases—heart disease, cancers, lung disease, diabetes—that account for 50% of deaths worldwide. Physical inactivity is one of the big three, so we need to be serious about improving the situation.

I want to end on a positive note. With support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as several health organizations, a National Plan for Physical Activity is being developed. Having a plan does not ensure we will be successful, but not having a plan is a good way to guarantee continued failure. There are opportunities to have input into the development of The Plan, and it is essential that every person who believes physical activity is essential for health is directly involved in the implementation of plan. As a first step, visit www.physicalactivityplan.org.

Jim Sallis

www.drjamessallis.sdsu.edu

An Unhealthy Irony

2009-03-12T15:32:00.000-07:00

While the “Next Great Depression” has school physical education (PE) budgets down on the canvas listening to the eight count, USA Today (March 11, 2009) publishes an article titled, “21% of Americans Scramble to Cover Medical, Drug Bills”.

It continues on page 5 with a headline that reads, “The biggest problem the country has is the cost of health care.” Jim Clifton, Gallup’s CEO and chief scientist for well-being and workplace management says,

“It’s a lot bigger problem than war and a bigger problem than the current (economic) meltdown because there are no fixes to it on the horizon right now.”

Well, I have a suggestion: Support the concept of quality, daily PE for every child grades K-12 instructed by credentialed, well-trained specialists.

CDC summarized the research and strongly recommends PE as an effective way to promote children’s health. The data show that highly active PE classes (like SPARK) help children move more now and hopefully, that behavior continues into the future. Simply stated, physical education IS preventive medicine. Let’s contribute to reducing the cost of health care by ensuring the next generation of adults is ill less frequently than the current one.

How to do that? I believe our challenge has been in formulating a clear message around physical education’s preventative assets and building an effective marketing campaign (simple and clear) that can be sustained. Verb (funded by the CDC) began a media blitz years ago and data show they were making some progress -- until their funding stream dried up. The PEP grants (Physical Education for Progress) are federal dollars that have been generously supporting PE and PA programs (but for only 50-75 winners nationally) for the past 6 years. These dollars remain precarious year to year.

Therefore, I call upon our national organizations and friends of SPARK, including AAHPERD and their state affiliates, the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, American Heart and Cancer Associations, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and all others who have a stake in public health, to work together and formulate a compelling message that can be broadcast via various media (websites, podcasts, webinars, presentations, television, radio, more) and organize behind a common theme- physical education is prevention – and a proven solution to reducing health care costs.

Speaking for SPARK, we are willing to contribute time and staff to this cause. Who will join us? Share you thoughts online and lets start the movement (pun intended) here.

-Paul Rosengard

Man's Best Friend (And Personal Trainer)

2009-03-04T14:44:00.000-08:00

YOUR blog contributors, Dr. Jim Sallis, Dr. Thom McKenzie and Mr. Paul Rosengard (YOURS TRULY) have been conducting SPARK research and disseminating those findings worldwide (with the help of MANY of our friends) since 1989.

In the weeks and months to come, we hope to share stories of what we've learned, people we've met, and how our work-life experiences have shaped the thoughts we have today. Our observations will cover a variety of public health topics: Childhood obesity, physical activity promotion, coordinated school health, healthy eating, best practices and resources, the latest research, behavior and environmental change, and much more.

We'll tag team this task and have a different contributor each week. Please plan to join us every Wednesday when a new blog is posted!

Man's Best Friend (And Personal Trainer)

Wendy (my much better half who you met in previous entries) and I added Scout, a labradoodle puppy, to our family last June. Since she's a 3rd grade teacher (Wendy, not Scout) we wanted to get a puppy at the beginning of summer knowing there would be many lessons to learn (Scout, not us -- at least that's what we thought...) and the time to learn them.

We had never raised a puppy together before, so Scout was a very new adventure. Sure, I have stories to tell about crate training, housebreaking (the wet and smelly housebreaking and the other kind Scout tries from time to time) and socialization (or lack thereof) with other people and dogs, but since I'm a physical educator, let's look at a quality of Scout's that I'm particularly found of. The girl is a 4-legged exercise machine.

Now MY activity regimen was set before Scout's arrival -- running and lifting weights on alternate days. But Scout has changed Wendy's life for the better. Wendy comes home for work and takes Scout for a walk every day, 5 days a week. She didn't use to do this before, in fact, Wendy was your classic weekend exerciser. Scout is her motivation and together, they are quite a pair. Wendy feels better, is less stressed, sleeps well, and really has a better quality of life because of Scout and their daily constitution. Yea Scout! Yea Wendy!

A friend gave us a very sweet book called, Puppy MIracles that provides the following "advice" from a very perceptive puppy (the author is anonymous):

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them
Run, romp, and play daily
Never pass up an opportunity to go for a joyride
Allow the experience of fresh air and wind in your face to be pure ecstasy
Thrive on attention and let people touch you
On warm days, stop to lie on your back in the grass
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body
No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout. Run right back and make friends.
Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you've had enough.
Be loyal

Scout is 10 months old now. These are lessons that Scout teaches/reinforces with us often. We love her and are grateful she's in our lives, enriching them everyday. She's right by my feet as I type this note, probably dreaming about her next run on the trail...

Questions: Does anyone have a "Dog as exercise machine story" you'd like to share? Besides critters, has there been any other influencers that have gotten you off the couch and into a consistent movement regimen?

We'd like to hear from YOU.

The World According to SPARK

2009-02-25T17:07:00.000-08:00

The blog contributors, Dr. Jim Sallis, Dr. Thom McKenzie and Mr. Paul Rosengard, have been conducting SPARK research and disseminating those findings worldwide (with the help of MANY of our friends) since 1989.

We'll tag team this task and have a different contributor each week. Please plan to join us every Wednesday when a new blog is posted!

The World According to SPARK- Saipan, Portugal, England, Norway, Canada, China -- all trips that I was able to make because of SPARK. I know, tough job but someone had to do it...

Besides sight seeing, learning about different cultures, trying new foods (ever had duck tongue in China?), and thoroughly enjoying the people, it was fascinating to meet and speak with physical educators in each of these places. I was surprised to see firsthand that physical education (PE) around the world looks very much like PE in the US. Students are doing many of the same activities and using the same manipulatives and equipment at grade levels as they do here. Movement is truly the universal language and maybe something else that can bring us closer together.

Yet, the story is not completely positive. Teachers complaints mirrored those we hear often in America: They don't feel their subject is valued like other subjects instructed, administrators are less than supportive of PE, PE days and minutes are insufficient, facilities are too small, too cold, or somehow subpar, and classes can be too large.

I also saw some of the same instructional traits, that could be improved. A lot of fitness without purpose or enjoyment, direct and command style teaching and little student choice or empowerment. Differentiated learning was almost non-existent as classes take a "one-size fits all" approach to instruction, and teachers all over the world, just like here in the U.S., talk too much. I know these are generalizations, and there are many outstanding PE programs in the US and certainly all over the world. But my contention is there are still too many in need of improvement.

If you have traveled and seen PE programs in schools around the world, please write and share your views.

-Paul Rosengard

Thom’s Cruise

2009-02-18T15:41:00.000-08:00

It’s good to get out every now and then to see how the other half lives. To avoid the pressures of the Winter Holiday Season my wife and I took our first (and perhaps last) cruise. It was an 8-day venture from San Diego to Acapulco, planned strategically so we could avoid airplanes, crowds, and temperatures below 60 degrees.

It was a large ship (13 decks) with lots of places to be physically active (the walk around Deck 10 took 5.5 minutes) and eat (24 hours a day). One actually could continue to have a healthy lifestyle if they had the appropriate avoidance skills. Because of my good behavior management training, I was able to exercise every day and accumulated an average of 13,233 steps and avoided the three elevators except to occasionally amuse myself.

The plusses were that I had lots of quiet time to grade my papers and plenty of opportunities for cultural experiences at each port of call. I got neither see- or sea-sick, so that was positive. Nonetheless, I found the midnight chocolate buffet, paying $54.00 an hour for internet service, and having tour guide in Acapulco who was from Germany a bit much. It did just not seem authentic--sort of like having a physiologist as a PE instructor—the background was there, but things just did not translate well.

-THOM MCKENZIE

Have any of you taken a cruise and found it was easy to stay active -- or did you find it difficult to maintain your workout routine? What about weight gain -- could you resist overeating or did you take a holiday from moderation? If you share your thoughts with us we'll place your name in our raffle for a free dessert (kidding).

Welcome to our first SPARK Blog!

2009-02-11T16:30:00.000-08:00

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun: I heard this Cyndi Lauper song on the drive to SPARK this morning, and thought about how much we are asked to quantify and evaluate every little thing our students do these days. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for assessment and having standards to guide instruction, yet I wonder if sometimes we're losing sight of what makes kids (and Cyndi) want to be active in the first place -- having fun?

Sure, that's one of the differences between physical education and physical activity, yet, as physical educators, isn't it possible for us to get so caught up in assessment and demonstrating student learning that our classes become counterproductive? Ultimately don't we really want students to move and enjoy it without feeling we're counting every little step they take (last pop culture reference I promise...)? And I think Cyndi knows boys just wanna have fun too.

Please think about the mixed message and share your thoughts with us.

Fitness for Fitness Teachers: I always enjoy my annual trip to Florida AAHPERD and spending time laughing with Patty Lanier. Patty is one of our terrific SPARK trainers and after a 20-year career teaching elementary PE, she went to the University of Central Florida where she instructs methods classes to future teachers -- among many other things. Patty and I workout together in the am before the conference and discuss our pet peeve: Why aren't more of our colleagues in the gym with us? It's obvious when you attend conferences that many of our best and brightest are not exactly scoring 10's in the role model department. Patty and I think we need to walk the talk. What do YOU think? Should NASPE sponsor some type of recognition for physical educators who maintain healthy lifestyles (consistent training schedules, BMI"s within respectable limits, etc,)? Should we have to submit to testing like our students and achieve a certain fitness standard? Aren't fire and police people required to stay in shape to do their jobs?

Let us know YOUR thoughts.

-Paul Rosengard