Credit - San Gabriel Valley Tribune

Results from the 2003 physical fitness test results released Thursday show that many East San Gabriel Valley students are not exercising their bodies as much as their minds. Statewide, just 25 percent of students were deemed physically fit. Many local schools hovered at or below that mark during the annual Fitnessgram given last spring. The test is administered in grades five, seven, and nine. Students were tested on such activities as how long it takes them to walk or run a mile; their percentage of body fat; how many push-ups, pull-ups and sit-ups they could do; and weather they could perform a trunk lift – lifting the upper body a maximum of 12 inches off the floor using the muscles of the back, then holding the position so a measurement could be taken. In a prepared statement, state Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell called the results “quite discouraging.” The test is important, O'Connell said, because research suggests that students who are physically fit perform better in school. Statewide, students performed the lowest on aerobic capacity. In the Charter Oak Unified School District, fitness test results slipped slightly in comparison to 2002, said Assistant Superintendent Robert Arias. Students had the most difficulty in the strength and endurance and flexibility categories he said. “The biggest issue is trying to carve out time for students' physical needs and also meet the rigorous content standards for English, math, social studies and science,” Arias said. School officials said that fitness is not a top priority. “We have more focus on the academics,” said Cheng-Ou Chang, testing supervisor for the Garvey School District. One trend Chang has seen on the fitness test is that middle school students generally perform better than elementary school students. That's because there are no physical fitness classes at the elementary level, he said. Schools have to meet state requirements for physical activity in elementary schools and that is done through recess, Chang said. “In elementary schools, the(fitness) test is administered by the homeroom teachers,” said Chang. “If elementary schools do have a physical education teacher, it”s usually someone who rotates among several different schools.” In the hacienda La Puente Unified School District, three years of physical education are required in high school instead of the state-mandated two years, said spokeswoman Kristen Habbestad. Aside from exercising, attempting to help students cut down on calories is another way schools are encouraging fitness. The district is already abiding by the California Childhood Obesity Prevention Act of 2003, which goes into effect July 1, said Habbestad. The legislation bans the sale of “unhealthy beverages” at elementary schools during the day. Only water, milk, 100-percent fruit juices or fruit-based drinks with no less than 50-percent fruit juice and no added sweeteners can be sold during the day at elementary schools, according to the law. In middle and junior high schools, unhealthy beverages are banned between a half-hour before school and a half-hour after school. The test used for physical fitness in California is the Fitnessgram, which was developed by the Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research.

Credit - San Gabrial Valley Tribune

Exercise is great for everyone, but if you have diabetes a regular fitness routine can be a true life saver. Where do you begin, and what special concerns exist for someone with diabetes who wants to take that first big step? We talked about it when WebMD's own fitness guru and diabetes educator Richard Weil, MEd, CDE, joined us in the Student Lounge on Oct. 12, 2004.

Support for this University course was provided by Medical Mutual.

MODERATOR: 
Welcome, Richard. Do specific types of exercise (such as aerobic or weight lifting) help in diabetes control, or is it merely exercise duration and frequency?

WEIL: 
Research shows that aerobic exercise and resistance exercise are both effective for people with diabetes, but a combination is better for blood sugar control.

Aerobic exercise reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke, which people with diabetes are at a higher risk for, and resistance exercise builds lots of muscle, muscle being important for burning fat and glucose.

Of course, burning glucose is very important for people with diabetes, so I recommend a combination of aerobic and resistance exercise. For people over the age of 70, I recommend slightly more resistance exercise because at that age and older, you tend to lose more muscle and building muscle is very important for:

• Strength
• Posture
• Balance
• Blood sugar control