PE classes evolve from team sports

Dodgeball . . . you're out!

High school physical education classes are evolving drastically as Americans focus more on fitness, and federal wellness guidelines push school officials to reevaluate PE curriculum by June 2006.

Teachers are giving students credit for Tai Chi, disc golf and outdoor activities that promote lifelong physical education. At the same time, educators are de-emphasizing the in-class focus on team sports such as volleyball or football.

The goal, most say, is to keep young people interested in activities that will be part of a healthy lifestyle through adulthood.

"Across the state, and the nation, physical educators are trying to balance the sports and games emphasis with the fitness and wellness component," said Ed Thomas, a physical education consultant for the Iowa Department of Education and an expert in the field.

"Scientifically, researchers are finding that rational movement wires the brain for improved academic performance."

Tessa Bogardus, 15, wants exposure to nontraditional activities, especially those she can do her whole life. Bogardus took yoga as a freshman at West Des Moines' Valley Southwoods, she said. Now a student at Walnut Creek Campus alternative school, she has tried Indian club swinging, an activity teachers are proposing for a wellness class next year.

"After all those years of doing the same old stuff like basketball or hockey, you can try something new," she said, demonstrating how to swing the clubs in fluid motions.

Physical education is at a crucial point, experts say. The No Child Left Behind accountability law has forced schools to focus on core academics, which means some have pared down time spent in music, art and PE. The wellness policy guidelines, part of the Child Nutrition Program, are vague.

"Almost every national body (of health experts) agrees on what we need, and that is class size and time period equal to other core subjects," said Ken Daley, president of the Iowa Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. "No Child Left Behind is leaving us behind in physical education and health."

Iowa law requires students to take PE, but local school boards set graduation requirements and waiver rules, which means some students dodge the classes.

The changes in courses are part of a historical cycle, Thomas said.

America's European roots originally included fitness activities such as using medicine balls and performing aerobic exercises. But in the 1920s, sports and games became all the rage, and curriculum followed.

Now, Americans are again focused on fitness.

Baby boomers are realizing the effects of healthy and unhealthy lifestyles; national security requires fit, prepared young people, not the ability to throw a football; people have adopted a more sedentary lifestyle, and few people perform manual labor anymore; and the rising obesity rate and health care system also call for a change in practice.

The cultural change begins with students, who must learn early on how to be healthy, Daley said.

Schools across Iowa are changing in various ways.

• In Grundy Center, the second PE4Life Academy in the country, students wear heart monitors regularly to monitor their activity levels during PE. Individual data help shape each student's goals and activities during class, which levels the playing field for classmates, said teacher Rick Schupbach.

"The goal is 20 minutes in or above the target heart rate, during a 40-minute class," Schupbach said. "I have kids come up to me, showing me their minutes. They're working to make their hearts stronger. And this helps build the understanding of that."

• In Marshalltown, PE teacher Mike Sinram tells students where they can do PE activities outside of class, telling them where area disc golf courses are located, for example. Students also can sign up for activities after school like fishing or ice skating. Traditional team sports have made way for the likes of eclipse ball and pickle ball, both racquet sports.

• Adel officials are considering eliminating a waiver that allows athletes to skip PE.

Parent Maria Walker, whose oldest son used the waiver while in school, supports the idea and wants to see continued emphasis on PE.

"It's not just about academics," Walker said. "We're supposed to have well-rounded students, so I'm proud of our school district. Given the statistics you hear about Americans becoming more obese, it's an alarming problem. We need to instill physical fitness in them when they're kids."

• Urbandale has eliminated a waiver for PE and this year offers contract PE, which allows students with full class schedules to work out for 2 1/2 hours per week on their own time and turn in a log signed by parents. About 180 students are enrolled.

Some school staffs still find it difficult to change their ways, due to constraints such as budgets, equipment or interest.

But school committees are searching for alternatives to traditional PE as they create the 2006 wellness policies. Overall, change requires a different mindset, educators said.

"We don't want to have the old-time gym class where they throw the balls out on the court and the instructor watches and if you're a good athlete, you're good in PE," said Richard Hutchinson, Urbandale High School principal. "We want to do things to help kids later on in life."