fitness+pathfinder

**Introduction:** In the weeks leading up to testing time this spring, we’ve started our discussion of the five components of fitness in 6th grade physical education class. The five components are: flexibility, muscular strength, muscular fitness, cardiovascular endurance, and body composition. The purpose of the pathfinder is to aid the students in completing an assignment requiring them to research and define each component and provide examples of how to improve the level of each component and how fitness relates to their classroom performance. Obviously the intended audience is sixth grade students. **Key Terms:** flexibility, muscular strength, muscular fitness, cardiovascular endurance, body composition, fat, heart, exercise, physical education, aerobic, weight training, stretching, academic achievement. **Search Strategy:** Expectations for the assignment are such that a search on most search engines will return enough sources to adequately complete the search for the needed information. Google returns 1,100,000 results when searching for “5 components of fitness,” and 74,900 results for searching “5 components of fitness and academic achievement.” Yahoo is considered a “non-academic” search engine, so we are not able to access it. ERIC returns 127 results when searching, but for the purpose of this the sixth grade assignment, I would not encourage students to search a resource such as ERIC because of the depth of the content, and also the inability to actually procure any documents. 1. The 5 Components of Physical Fitness. (2007). Retrieved February 22, 2009, from http://www.functional-fitness-facts.com/5-components-of-physical-fitness.html This page lists the five components and briefly defines each, and also includes a sentence or two for how to improve each component. The site as a whole also contains other information that would help students in search of ways to link fitness and academic performance. 2. Components of Physical Fitness. (1996). Retrieved February 22, 2009, from http://www.education.com/reference/article/Ref_Physical_Everyone/ This article is a tremendous source and very appropriate for the assignment. The intended audience for the article is young people. There also both internal and external links from this article to other issues relating to fitness and its role in schools. This would be a good place to start in gathering information on the five components of fitness. 3. Why Exercise is Cool. (2006). Retrieved February 28, 2009 from http://kidshealth.org/kid/exercise/fit/work_it_out.html This comes from a website which is geared toward kids. It is presented in their “language.” This article starts by explaining to the children they exercise every day without even thinking about it. Playing at recess, walking to school, helping Dad with yard work, or going up and down stairs are all considered exercise. The five components are discussed with plenty of applicable examples kids might be surprised to hear. 4. Linking Health and Academic Achievement: Physically Fit Students Perform Better. (2003). Retrieved February 28, 2009, from http://www.mcph.org/Major_Activities/MHPRC/IM/2004/  IM204/Physical%20Education.pdf This article contains interesting information and quotes research that suggests that students that score higher on fitness tests also score higher on standardized tests. It also quotes CDC guidelines for physical education and its importance as it relates to academic achievement. The article also contains some easy to interpret bar graphs that could be sited for the assignment. 5. Five Basic Components of Physical Fitness. (n.d.). Retrieved March 1, 2009, from http://www.fuelthemind.com/health/fitness/5_components_of_physical_fitness.ht    ml     Unfortunately a lot of the sites dedicated to providing information on health and fitness are sponsored by an equipment or dietary supplement company. Fortunately though, this one offers some excellent and detailed information on the fitness components. The information for each component is very descriptive without being verbose or overly detailed. Another useful bit of information here is a list of both the immediate and long-term benefits of exercise, including sleeping better, and an increase in self-esteem and sense of accomplishment. Exposure to information such as this can only be beneficial to those who read it and not just hear it from the PE teacher! 6. Improve Cycling Performance with these Five Basic Components of Fitness. (n.d.). Retrieved March 1, 2009 from http://www.cycling-fitness-center.com/5-basic- components-of-physical-fitness.html This article is useful because its focus is using the components in relation to riding a bicycle. This article would be helpful for students to learn how the components could be applied to whichever activity they prefer to participate in, and reinforces previously taught principles of specificity and frequency. The article also includes links to other applications for the fitness components, including applying the components to military basic training or boot camp. 7. Fitnessgram Overview. (2009). Retrieved March 3, 2009 from http://www.fitnessgram.net/overview/ The purpose of this page is to describe the how the Cooper’s Fitnessgram measures the five components of fitness. It details the assessment and how each component is assessed and scored. An explanation is given for why each test is appropriate for each component. This site would be helpful for students since it makes it possible for the students to quantify the components, which can enable a better grasp of the importance of the fitness components. 8. What Is Physical Fitness? Understanding the Five Basic Components of Physical Fitness Can Be The Difference Between Fitness Success & Failure. (2009). Retrieved March 1, 2009 from http://www.answerfitness.com/270/5-components- of-physical-fitness-fitness-glossary/#more-270 This article provides a good understanding of the components of physical fitness. The tone of the article suggests that it is important to consider the differences in body type. It mentions the need to address all of the components when seeking to improve mind and body. While it still provides definitions of the components this article does a fine job of linking the components together, and explains how each component compliments another. 9. Physical Activity for Everyone. (2008). Retrieved March 1, 2009 from http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/glossary/index.html This site is included because it includes a glossary of terms that could be helpful in completing the assignment and helping to add to search terms in locating additional information relative to the topic being studied. The page is aimed at younger users with links to other issues related to being physically active. 10. Fitness Focus: Components of Health Related Fitness. (n.d.). Retrieved March 1, 2009, from http://www.lakeviewjhs.net/pe/fitness7/q1_1.pdf This paper could be a tremendous asset in completing the assignment. It contains all the information necessary to define and describe the fitness components. The info is easy to digest and understand. It also mentions the idea of total fitness, mentioning emotional, social, and mental well being. 11. Physical Activity for Everyone: Are There Special Recommendations for Young People? (2006). Retrieved March 1, 2009, from http://www.education.com/reference/article/Ref_Physical_Activity/ This article is aimed at informing young people of the importance of being active, especially on a daily basis. It points out the differences between different levels of intensity and how often we should participate in each kinds of activity. It ties in these ideas with the appropriate fitness component and lists the benefits for each.
 * Title:** The Five Components of Fitness
 * Resources: **