Spring is always associated with the notion of getting out and enjoy the outdoors. It is no wonder that the National Physical Fitness and Sports Month is celebrated during this time. The dichotomy is in the fact that while the Olympics and Super Bowl draw record numbers of television viewers, the masses seem to limit their physical activity to exactly that - watching others do it!
The Herald (Scotland - 5/17/11) reports that the numbers of students in Scotland walking to school is steadily declining despite Scottish Government attempt to promote physical activity. The latest survey found that only 45.8% of school children walked to school while two decades ago it was 62%. This is in contrast to walking being stated as the most frequent for of active travel among youth. The upside is that slightly more students cycle to school (2.8%) compared to 2.3% in 2008. Needless to say the the number one reason given by parents is the fear for the safety of children. This is not unlike the United Sates and a similar barrier for the national Safe Routes to School program.
The British Heart Foundation recently published a survey showing that 73% of students are interested in learning first aid at school that included cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). It continues that more than three-quarters of parents support such teaching. According to the BBC (5/15/11), there is a push to make first-aid part of the national curriculum.
If spring is the start of your push to be more physically active, sign up for the President's Council challenge at http://www.presidentschallenge.org/ and record your progress at no cost. It's fun!
Michael Cordier
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