When I think of Heart Month and my winter efforts to keep my kids moving once we came indoors, I remember the typical winter units and the frustrations with class size and limited space. Oh, I got full participation during volleyball, but it wasn't aerobic and neither was the much loved basketball unit that often required substitution. Educational Gymnastics was great, but not for large classes and shared space. The fact was that the only unit that met my fitness goals was dance-aerobics. It was the only activity that got heart rates up and kept them up. And it got kids smiling at each other in time for Valentines Day. The emotional pluses were that kids who didn't smile much were smiling broadly and the overweight kids moved to the music without giving it a second thought. As for the resistance - yes there was some - mostly from males - but the ones who resisted the most came back later bragging that at a wedding, or on a cruise ship or at a disco, they heard the music we danced to and got up and did what they learned in class. "It was great," they said, making my day. So, lets look at the virtues of choosing heart throbbing rhythm to drive an aerobic unit.

• The whole class moves at once to a controlled rhythm.
• The music is so motivating, most kids don't give up until it is over.
• Using multi- cultural dances as part of the routine rounds out your program.
• Kids get a social skill that will serve them for a lifetime.
• And it is possible to teach relevant information about heart rates, target zones, stretching, strengthening and healthy habits as they move. (See the Fitness Chapter in my book, Complete Physical Education Plans for Grades 7-12 for lessons that integrate activity and cognitive understandings).

Yes, though this means taking time from the usual units, it's worth it. Wishing you a happy Valentines day and Presidents Week.

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Isobel Kleinman
Secondary Section Editor

Here is one easy to learn, heart throbbing dance choreographed by Isobel Kleinman for her seventh grade classes after they were warmed-up to a moderate rhythm. The dance is to great music, repetitious, rigorous and ongoing for five minutes and can be part of any aerobic or warm-up routine. "Beat It" by Michael Jackson;
formation: individuals moving CCW begin with the song 8 runs forward, swinging arms in opposition (i.e.: left foot forward,
left arm back) 8 runs backward, swinging arms in opposition 8 hops, with hand touching opposite heel behind the back when it comes up 8 jumping jacks, arms slapping thighs on each "beat it" before bringing them overhead.

DID YOU KNOW?
- The maximum heart rate - 220 minus your age - is based on a number that has been challenged by exercise physiologists according to an article in the New York Times (April 24, 2002). The 220 came about in 1970 when Dr. Samuel Fox, on an air trip, saw data from 10 of Dr. Haskellis studies, drew a line through the points and said, "Gee, if you extrapolate that out, it looks like at age 20 the heart rate maximum is 200, and at age 40 it is 180 and at age 60 it's 160." Shortly thereafter, after his suggestion that the maximum heart rate looked as if it was 220, he was surprised to see his extrapolation take off like wild fire. Now, exercise physiologists claim that it is not accurate. First they point out that the original Haskell studies relied on volunteers, therefore, they claim, the statistics are not representative of a normal population. A leading critic, Dr. Wilmore says, "If the formula says a rate should be 150, it can as easily be 180 or 120." Dr. Haskel is not offended. He "kind of laughed about it," saying, "The formula was never supposed to be an absolute guide to rule peoples training."

- President Bush exercises 30 minutes a day and expects his staff to do the same?

- The Department of Defense selected Polar Heart Rate wrist watch monitors for use in physical education programs K-12.

- Research indicates that programs to keep kids heart healthy are more effective if their tasks are varied and complex. Body and mind involvement increases their joy and their desire to adhere to a life of active living.

The best way to get your personal maximum is to take a professional administered treadmill test. The next best way is to continue using the 220 guideline as used in the Karvonen formula below:

220 ( - ) age (- ) resting heart rate = sum
sum (x ) working rate percentage (+) resting heart rate = target zone heart rate

For example: A 15 year old with a resting heart rate of 72 who wants to work at 75% max:

220 - 15 - 72 = 133 133 x 75% = 99.75 + 72 = 171.75

The formula - 220 (-) age (x) work rate = target zone, is a much lower number.

220 - 15 = 205 205 x 75% = 153.75

WINTER FACTS
- people who exercise regularly have 25% fewer colds over the course of a year - moderate exercise produces more immunoglobulin-A, an immune-system enzyme that wards off colds
- exercising outdoors, despite the chill, avoids the germs that are trapped indoors.
- New chains of fitness centers, Curves for Women, Contours Express and Slender Lady offer 30 minute workouts where participants are directed by a music tape telling them when to change stations (every 30 seconds) and when to check their heart rate (every seven minutes).