Designing and Teaching Fitness Education Courses

Jayne Greenberg, EdD, has served as program director for the I Can Do It! program for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Prior to that position, Dr. Greenberg served as the district director of physical education and health literacy for Miami-Dade County Public Schools from 1995 to 2017. During her career in education, she has worked as an elementary, middle, and high school physical education teacher in both public and private schools; a region physical education coordinator; a high school and middle school administrator; and an adjunct professor teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses in teaching methods, sport psychology, and research. Dr. Greenberg has served as president of the Florida Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. She also has chaired the Sport Development Committee for the United States Olympic Committee and USA Field Hockey. She assisted the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in the development of the I Can Do It, You Can Do It! program, a national initiative to address the physical activity levels of youth with disabilities. Dr. Greenberg was named the 2005 National Physical Education Administrator of the Year by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education and received the 2005 Highest Recognition Award from the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Michael Leavitt. In 2009, she received the Point of Light Award from Florida Governor Charlie Crist and was appointed to the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness. In 2011, Dr. Greenberg was appointed by President Barack Obama to serve on the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition. In 2015, she was named as the North America chair for the International Sport and Culture Association. In 2016, she was named as an Aspen Institute Scholar and received the 2016 North America Society of HPERD Professionals Award. In 2017, she received the Lifetime of Giving Award from Delta Psi Kappa and was named as the education sector chair for the National Physical Activity Plan. Dr. Greenberg was inducted into the SHAPE America Hall of Fame in 2019. Dr. Greenberg serves as an international consultant in many capacities. She coordinated Olympic education programs in Canada; developed the sport science curriculum at the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; and developed a math and science sailing curriculum for the National Maritime Museum and Royal Observatory in London and Sydney, Australia. Dr. Greenberg coauthored the Human Kinetics text Organization and Administration of Physical Education and the handbook Developing School Site Wellness Centers and has published numerous articles. She also has been a featured speaker at several state, national, and international conventions and meetings. In the past 12 years, Dr. Greenberg has secured more than $39 million in federal and foundation grants for educational programs. Nichole Calkins, EdD, is an assistant professor of physical education pedagogy and the program director of the kinesiology department at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. She was a high school health and physical education teacher and a sports coach in the public school system for more than 14 years, and she was a district health and physical education instructional specialist for two years. Dr. Calkins is a curriculum writer and works with various school districts and organizations as a consultant on curriculum design and instructional practices. She is certified by the NSCA as Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. Lisa S. Spinosa, MS, is a physical education teacher for Miami-Dade County Public Schools. She received both her bachelor’s and master’s of education from Florida International University, where she was part of the women’s basketball team. She later pursued her leadership degree from Nova University. In addition to being a physical education teacher, Spinosa has worked in many capacities, including as a girls’ and boys’ high school basketball coach, athletic trainer, assistant athletic director, and athletic business manager. She was recruited to open a new high school, where she later became the athletic director and department chair. Ms. Spinosa presently has returned to the classroom to further pursue her goal of finding and implementing new, innovative, and motivating ways to transform children’s ways of thinking regarding health and fitness.

Part I. Foundations of Fitness Education

Chapter 1. Introduction to Fitness Education
Introduction
Physical Education and Fitness Education: What Is the Difference?
Why Fitness Education?
Implementing Fitness Education
Fitness Education Barriers and Solutions
Roles and Responsibilities in Fitness Education
Conclusion
Review Questions

Chapter 2. Fitness Components and Training Principles
Introduction
The Components of Physical Fitness
The Basic Principles of Training
Exercise Fitness Planning: Designing the Training to FITT the Goal
Training Methods for the Components of Fitness
Conclusion
Review Questions

Chapter 3. Curricular and Instructional Considerations in Fitness Education
Introduction
Content Knowledge and Pedagogical Content Knowledge
Designing an Instructional Framework
Employing a Variety of Teaching Strategies
Modifying Learning Tasks: A Universal Design for Learning Approach
The Instructional Delivery Process
Providing Performance Feedback
Characteristics of Effective Feedback
Conclusion
Review Questions

Chapter 4. Classroom Considerations and Teaching Tips
Introduction
General Class and Teaching Considerations
Supervision, Safety, and Environmental Factors
Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Social Justice
Conclusion
Review Questions

Chapter 5. Nutrition, Wellness, and Consumer Issues
Introduction
Nutritional Needs in Adolescence
Nutrition Education
Daily Calorie Needs for Weight Management
Healthy Weight Range
Dieting and Eating Disorders
Dietary Composition
Special Diet Concerns
Gluten Intolerance and Sensitivity
Vegetarian Diets
Supplements and Steroids
Adolescent Stress
Sleep
Alcohol
Breakfast and Snacks for Optimal Health and Performance
Becoming a Smart Consumer
Sample Menus
Conclusion

Chapter 6. Social and Emotional Learning
Introduction
Creating a Positive and Motivational Learning Environment
Trauma-Informed Teaching
Developing Social and Emotional Learning
Interpersonal Competencies: Social Awareness
Interpersonal Competencies: Relationship Skills
Cognitive Competencies: Responsible Decision Making
Intrapersonal Competencies: Self-Awareness
Intrapersonal Competencies: Self-Management Skills
Conclusion
Review Questions

Chapter 7. Standards, Grade-Level Outcomes, and Assessment
Introduction
Fitness Education Assessment Strategies
Rubrics
SOFIT Observation Assessment
Alternative Assessments
Use of Technology in Student Learning and Assessment
Fitness Education Grading
Health-Related Fitness Assessments
FitnessGram
Brockport Physical Fitness Test
Lab Fitness Assessments and Career Opportunities
Developing an Individual Fitness Plan
Conclusion
Review Questions

Part II. Fitness Elements and Lesson Plans

Chapter 8. Cardiorespiratory Fitness
Introduction
Benefits of Cardiorespiratory Fitness
Starting Points for a Fitness Education Course
Cardiorespiratory Endurance, Aerobic and Anaerobic Activities, and MVPA
Inclusion
Methods of Cardiorespiratory Training
Safety Guidelines
Monitoring and Assessment
Teaching Tips
Conclusion
Review Questions

Chapter 9. Upper-Body Stretching Exercises
Introduction
Warm-Up Dynamic and Static Stretches for the Upper Body
Routines: Stringing Them Together
Teaching Tips
Conclusion
Review Questions

Chapter 10. Core Stretching Exercises
Introduction
Warm-Up Dynamic and Static Stretches for the Core
Routines: Stringing Them Together
Teaching Tips
Conclusion
Review Questions

Chapter 11. Lower-Body Stretching Exercises
Introduction
Warm-Up Dynamic and Static Stretches for the Lower Body Routines: Stringing Them Together
Teaching Tips
Conclusion
Review Questions

Chapter 12. Upper-Body Muscular Strength and Endurance Exercises
Introduction
Warm-Up Dynamic Stretches
Upper-Body Muscular Strength and Endurance Exercises
Cool-Down Static Stretches
Routines: Stringing Them Together
Teaching Tips
Conclusion
Review Questions

Chapter 13. Core Muscular Strength and Endurance Exercises
Introduction
Warm-Up Dynamic Stretches
Core Muscular Strength and Endurance Exercises
Cool-Down Static Stretches
Routines: Stringing Them Together
Teaching Tips
Conclusion
Review Questions

Chapter 14. Lower-Body Muscular Strength and Endurance Exercises
Introduction
Warm-Up Dynamic Stretches
Lower-Body Muscular Strength and Endurance Exercises
Cool-Down Static Stretches
Routines: Stringing Them Together
Teaching Tips
Conclusion
Review Questions

Chapter 15. Implementing the Fitness Education Program
Incorporating Cardiorespiratory Fitness Into Routines and Circuits
Methods of Fitness Training
Sample Lesson Plans
Teaching Tips
Conclusion
Review Questions

Part III. Extending Fitness Education
Chapter 16. Extending Fitness Education Into the Community
Introduction
Connecting Community Events to Schools
Community-Based Programs and Activities
Inclusion Tips for Community-Based Programs
Training for a Road Race
Conclusion
Review Questions

Chapter 17. Pacing Guides for Semester Planning
How to Use the Pacing Guides
Pacing Guides: Weeks 1-18
Conclusion