I must confess that I am not a "technological" guru when it comes to physical education. However, since I am a guest editor this month I have tried my best to offer a variety of information. There is information on endless swimming pools, the differences between bikes, treadmills, and ellipticals, and various activities and resources.

I'm also sharing some information on how technology has been used in baseball. I hope you enjoy the section. Take care!

Angela Roth (& Terri Covey, webmaster)
Technology Section Editor

Small Swim-in-Place Pools May Offer Answer to Better Fitness for Senior Citizens - Swimming is a popular fitness activity for many senior citizens, because it provides good aerobic exercise without the high impact and joint stress of running or jogging. It also helps them control their weight. A drawback, however, has been the lack of a pool. We can run or jog anywhere but finding a place to swim laps or do aquatic aerobics is often challenging. An answer for many may be the Endless Pool, a counter-current swimming and water exercise machine that is small enough to fit inside a home. Read more...

Endless Pools - Welcome to Endless Pools, where limited space can be easily converted into limitless possibilities. Measuring just 8' x 15', the Endless Pool, often referred to as a swimmer's treadmill, provides all the benefits of a full-size swimming pool in a fraction of the space. Find out more, and request a free DVD to learn more about their various swimming machines.

Elliptical vs Treadmill vs Bike: Which is Right for You? - If you love exercising, but are confused with all of the machines that technology has to offer, you are not alone. Every time I see a commercial on TV advertising a bike, elliptical, or treadmill, they are all saying that they are better than any other. So what is the real story? This information from True Fitness helps to answer that question by comparing these three types of machines.

There are also many different contraptions, gadgets, and the like out there that have come a long way, and gone through some fun changes. Some of them, I didn't even know existed. didn’t even know existed. Take this Digital Calorie counter jump rope, for example, with a calorie counter on the handle, or the HealthyJump jump rope with calorie counter.

Technology has also made it possible to play many sports in the dark (not that I'm suggesting that anyone should do so, as my husband would tell you after running into a fence while trying to catch a glow in the dark football). It could be dangerous. However, for those of you who wish to brave the dark, here are a few sport items that glow in the dark: football, basketball, soccer ball, golf balls.

WHICH VR BIKE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

PEsoftware.com has multiple resources when it comes to technology in Physical Education. One of their latest articles features the comparison of two virtual reality bikes that are currently on the market. If you are not aware of the two types of bikes being compared, simply click on gamebike or VCycling systems to learn more about each of them.

In past issues we have examined the GameBike from CatEye and the VCycling system. So, how do the two systems compare? Following the links for each device will provide you with detailed information.

But, generally speaker, the VCycling system comes with a Trek Bike, the Trainer and Steering Unit, and all the software. It Requires the purchase of a computer. VCycling is like a real biking experience. The user sits on a regular bike and steering is the same as riding outdoors. The software displays all the training data on the screen during ride, and also provides for recall of the data at any time. Training data includes: Heart rate (actual, average, and maximum), speed, cadence or RPMs, power or wattage, incline and distance. The training rides include rides and races from all over the world. These rides can be adjusted when class time limits the ride to five to ten minutes per youngster.

Computers and Phys Ed Do Mix!
Students and teachers in Hood River, Oregon, use a spreadsheet program to track progress in physical fitness. Graphs and charts show how students have improved and what skills they need to work on. A copy of those graphs and charts is included with student report cards. Find out more...

The Glove Radar!
The purpose of the Glove Radar is to assist in developing players' throwing capabilities. It provides instant feedback on their velocity, which increases as players learn to use proper throwing mechanics. The Glove Radar can aid any player throwing from any distance during practice, training, or warm-up sessions. Find out more...

Pitching Machines
Here is a neat website that has multiple pitching machines that you can choose from. Some are very high tech, while others offer basic pitches. Either way the technology is amazing that these machines can throw a curve ball with precise accuracy, or a slider, knuckle, and any other pitch that a regular pitcher can make. Find out more...

Hands Back Hitter - The Hands Back is the perfect hitting station for all playing levels and it provides safe and effective practice, even in limited space. It can be used for hours of unsupervised practice in the backyard. Find out more...

Where's The Play? - Where's The Play? is an information-packed interactive CD that teaches the all-important baseball and softball basics that young players need to learn...and visualize...again and again. See plays unfold, learn the right way to react, and with constant interactive feedback, correct mistakes. Find out more...

Technology In The Dugout
Decisions in the dugout have come a long way since the days of the 15-cent ballpark hot dog. No longer is it a simple matter of just going down the roster to select a right hand hitter to face a southpaw on the mound. The information revolution has invaded baseball's humble--if not primitive--dugout. Major League Baseball doesn't allow computers and other electronic gear in the dugout during a game, but there's nothing preventing the use of printouts, charts and a zillion types of computer-generated reports to help give a manager that all-important edge, be it ever so slight, over the opposing ballclub. Read the rest...

Dancing to Music (K-2)
Students will listen to a variety of music and design an appropriate dance presentation. This activity encourages students to appreciate, and examine different styles of music as well as create dance presentations that are specifically related to the music.

Dance Collage (grade: any)
Students will examine, appreciate, and learn about the different reasons for dancing.

Marionette Dancing (K-3)
Students will examine and perform movements of different parts of their body. This is a good activity to use for warming up, encouraging balance, and the examination of the space around for safe movement.

Intro to Controlling a Ball With Your Feet
Students will practice the skills of stopping and guiding a ball with their feet. Note: This is a good lesson to use as an introduction to a soccer unit.

Intro to Controlling a Ball With a Hockey Stick
Students will learn and practice stopping and guiding a ball with a hockey stick. Note: This is a good lesson to use as an introduction to floor hockey.

The Dragons Are Coming! (K-2)
Students will develop an awareness of and practice the mobility needed to run around with, and from, other children. See also "The Wolf and the Goslings (K-4)."

Crab Monsters (3+)
Students will practice the skill of dribbling a ball with their feet and kicking it in a specific direction.

Multicultural Games (4+)
Students will learn, appreciate, and teach the history, cultural significance, and the rules of a multicultural game.

Animal Exercises - Children love to use their imagination when they play. What a wonderful idea to have children stretch and strengthen their bodies as they mimic imaginary animals.

Be a Cat, Be a Tree - Try some simple yoga. Your children will enjoy these two creative movement exercises. They are both based on yoga, an ancient form of exercise and meditation. Invite your children to stretch their bodies and let their imaginations soar!

ExerDice - This is a fun fitness game to do with your children. Take the children outside in your yard or to the park. Roll the dice and whatever action the dice falls on the children have to do.

HEAT STROKE – AVOID IT!
by Steve Johnson

It is said that experience is the best educator, but I hope that what follows will encourage all coaches and players to be aware of the grave dangers surrounding dehydration and heat stroke, thus avoiding the same terrible consequences we suffered.

Two years ago I took time off and returned to England for one of the RFU summer conferences. One of the topics was about dehydration and I felt smugly confident that the system we had in place was adequate. How pride comes before a fall! A few days later, while I was relaxing in England prior to flying back to Japan, the following happened.

As I was enjoying the relaxation spell in England, the Japanese players were coming to the end of our summer off-season and the assistant coaches chose one day to open our pre-season with a longish jog, "to start to get us all ready for when Steve comes back." The day was warm, but not unreasonably so. It was humid, but not dreadfully so.

Toward the end of the run, one of our heavier front-row players suddenly collapsed, obviously in distress, and it could be clearly seen that he was suffering from heat stroke. All normal reactions were undertaken; the school nurse was called, the player was wrapped up in a cold wet blanket and the ambulance summoned.

He was taken to a nearby hospital and attempts were made to re-hydrate him. The next day, however, the doctor announced that his liver was damaged beyond repair, and that a liver transplant was needed at once or he would not survive. What followed is the stuff of Hollywood drama, but I will keep to the basics.

We hear about 'heat stroke' and 'dehydration' so often that we can tend NOT to hear anymore, but to make a lasting impression in regard to the seriousness of the injuries that can result from excessive heat and dehydration, please read this article. I think you'll want to be much more careful.

Joe Chemo - (grade 6-12)The Joe Chemo Web site is a tool for teachers, health educators, and parents to reduce teen smoking. Joe Chemo, a takeoff on the Joe Camel advertisements, encourages teens not to smoke.

Physically Fit Children Appear To Do Better In Classroom - The health benefits of exercise across the lifespan have been well documented. More recently, scientists have begun to demonstrate that exercise also may improve cognitive functioning in older adults. But what about children? Are physically fit kids better suited to compete not only on the ball field, but in the classroom as well? Read more...

Dehydration Makes Exercise-Induced Asthma Worse - If athletes from elite to novice needed yet another reason to drink plenty of fluids during exercise, a new study by University at Buffalo exercise scientists provides it. Their research shows that dehydration may induce bronchospasm even before exercise and make exercise-induced asthma worse. Read more...

Kids Still Lack Violence Education - A study finds most Florida public school districts have policies against violence, but few actually teach kids how to prevent it. Read more...

Pacifiers Reduce Sudden Infant Deaths - Use of a pacifier seems to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), finds a study published online by the British Medical Journal. See also a detailed report.

The Changing Concept of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: diagnostic coding shifts, controversies regarding the sleeping environment, and new variables to consider in reducing risk.

Teaching About (and With) Technology - Some pointers for teaching in a new, connected world.

Helping Boys Learn - Over the past several decades, boys' behavior and performance in school has continued to decline. Researchers like Michael Gurian say these are indications that schools are not structured to accommodate how boys' brains work and how they learn.