AAHPERD 2005 Convention Reflections

Thanks to the many PELINKS4U readers who took time to visit with us in Chicago. Hopefully, your week was as good as ours. It was reported that this year's convention drew approximately 7,000 attendees - the largest in recent years. If you didn't make Chicago, plan now for next year in Salt Lake City, April 25-29. If you've never been to a national convention it's a 'must do' in your professional career. Start now and you've a much better chance of solving the challenges that have so far prevented your attendance.

Anyway, what did we see? What were the highlights? What did we learn? With more than 20 sessions being offered, simultaneously each hour for nearly 5 complete days, there was something for everyone. Inside the Exhibit Hall, dozens of companies and organizations presented the newest, latest, and supposedly "best" ideas for promoting physical activity. Some exhibitors are regulars with tried and tested products and followings, while others were making the leap to promote something new to our profession.

As I mentioned last month, the chance meetings and conversations in the hallways are typically the highlights of my visits. One of the first chance contacts this year was with Teresa Vollenweider, the founder and CEO of New Lifestyles. I first met Theresa several years ago when she showed up on her own at a national convention with little more than a bag full of Japanese-made electronic pedometers. Pedometers were nothing new for hikers, but until then they measured distance using a mechanical mechanism that swung on your hip. Teresa was passionate about the improved quality of these new electronic devices, and their potential for motivating people to become more active.

Since then, interest in technology of all kinds has exploded within the PE profession. I suspect that pedometers, heart-rate monitors, PDAs, and video products now consume more of PE budgets than do balls, racquets, bats and conventional gym equipment. And as those of you who have received PEP grants already know, companies that produce technology are eager to meet your equipment needs.

I have to confess that I'm concerned about this "technological focus," a view that may seem strange coming from someone involved in producing an electronic PE magazine. But simply stated, I fear that technology can easily become a gimmicky and ineffective replacement for a quality PE curriculum. Let's not kid ourselves. Most students find repetitious lap running just as boring wearing a heart rate monitor (after the novelty has worn off) as they did before. So, it was with these thoughts in mind that my first convention session was on listening to Bob Pangrazi and colleagues discussing the use of pedometers in schools. Here’s a summary of what I heard:

	Pedometers are better suited for measuring moderate to high levels of activity, and less accurate with low activity.
	When trying to gauge a person's activity level we need to recognize that typically people are less active on weekend days.
	There are differences in the accuracy of different pedometer brands. The Yamax seems to be the highest (and yes, it does cost more than other brands).
	Data suggests that on average, young children score about 14,000 steps per day, while healthy adults vary from 7,000 to 13,000.
	30 minutes of moderate activity can score 10,000 daily steps.
	A goal of 10,000 daily steps is probably too high for sedentary people because it is 3, to 3 times, what they are currently doing. Improvement goals should be smaller.
	For girls ages 6-17, 11,000 daily steps, and for boys ages 6-17 13,000 daily steps, are the minimums recommended by the President's Challenge - Active Lifestyle Program.
	Successful use of pedometers in PE programs requires that students are taught properly how to use and care for the equipment.
	The accuracy of a pedometer varies depending on where it is worn. Students can learn the best location for them through practice.
	You can track the distribution and return of pedometers if you put them in a box so you can quickly visually locate missing devices.
	Number your pedometers, and match to a numbered list of students.
	Individualize student physical activity expectations by establishing a baseline and setting small increments.
	Pedometers can be an effective way of integrating PE with other academic areas (e.g. math).
	Pedometers can increase parental recognition of your program. Bring parents in and show them how you are using this technology.

Continue this editorial on next page.

• Toledo PE Supply
• Human Kinetics
• New Lifestyles
• GOPHER Sport
• Sportime
• Phi Epsilon Kappa Fraternity
• Exercise Express
• Speed Stacks
• Texas Woman's University
• Central Washington University
• Gym Motivators

Debby Mitchell is our technology section editor. Debby highlights this month theme, celebrating physical education and sports, by discussing the influence that we have on children and youth.

	Developing the “whole” child in physical education
	Interactive video games
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This month's editor is Debra D'Acquisto. Debra centers her section around this month's theme - celebrating physical education and sports. She reminds us that spring is a time for renewal.

	Celebrations for everyone!
	Behavioral Changes - Think habits, not diets
	Information on aerobic exercise
	Read these subjects and more