Students Benefit from PE Shift to Lifelong Fitness

Gym class isn’t what it used to be. For many kids, it’s a whole lot better.

District 113’s Deerfield High School and Highland Park High School are two among many schools that have shifted away from competition and now emphasize individual fitness meant to last far beyond the high school years.

It is a move that is taking hold across the country.

For students that don’t particularly enjoy team sports it’s great news, of course. No more hiding by the sidelines hoping not to be noticed. John Campbell, chairman of the DHS physical education department, said the shift toward a more individual approach lets students focus on personal improvement.

Basically, throwing the dodgeball hardest doesn’t cut it anymore.

“Not everybody wants to play a sport. Some people just want to work out. There’s something here for everybody,” said Landen Hinds, a DHS senior who also participates in extra-curricular athletics, including football.

DHS and HPHS now measure student performance by using polar heart rate monitors. This data collection system lets teachers assess students on the hard facts rather than perception of a student’s activity level.

The data measures at what percentage of his or her maximum heart rate a student is working. For example, one student might run faster than another, but both could be working at their optimal rates.

Academic Benefits

The switch to a more comprehensive approach promises academic benefits as well.

One study conducted locally at Naperville Central High School showed that students who were involved in rigorous activity performed at their peak level academically during the 180 minutes that followed that activity. That research, conducted by John J. Ratey, MD, ended up in the book Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain.

Campbell conducted a similar study on a recent sophomore class at DHS, following the grade-point averages of students who participated in physical education one semester but not both, with those who continued in PE seeing a positive effect on GPA.  He said the gains were more pronounced among students with individual education plans.

He believes the positive effect of stress management likely played a role in those gains.

Competition takes the sidelines

Campbell said he hopes to see students grab ahold of something they can enjoy past their high school days. The “lifelong” aspect is an important one, he said.  Campbell wants his students to continue on a healthy path once they are out on their own.

Two staff members are living, breathing examples of that approach. Jeff Beaumont, DHS girls cross country coach, and Jessica Upchurch, assistant athletic director, recently participated in an Ironman event held in Madison, Wisconsin. The event includes running, biking and swimming, and Madison’s version is known to be one of the toughest, particularly the biking leg. Beaumont and Upchurch both completed the race, and received a giant poster with congratulations signed by students and staff.

The ongoing capital improvement projects at DHS and HPHS will help students in the district benefit from the new approach in physical education. Space will be allocated toward personal-fitness strategies, including locating a yoga studio within one section of the gym space.

Those who love competition will still have the opportunity to express skill in PE class as well as extra-curricular programs. Competition just isn’t the only game in town anymore.