3/13/18

I was perusing an industry magazine (Sport Insights) the other day and came across an article about American’s activity level. The statistics were a bit alarming. Youth ages 6-12, in 2011, 28.7% were active 3 times a week. In 2016 that percentage had dropped to 24.8%. For ages 13-17, that number was 41.1% in 2011 and 38.4% in 2016. First I find this crazy that it’s only 3 times a week and secondly, the percentage is dropping! US kids ranked 47^th out of 50 countries in fitness. 48% of all schools have no PE. Here’s one you’ll find interesting, 81.4 Million (27.5%) of Americans are totally inactive. Inactive was defined as “Not active one time in the past year in any one of 104 activities. 5.3 million people die from inactivity in America versus 5.0 million who die from smoking.” Wow, this seems crazy!

Everyone says “When I was a kid…” But seriously, when I was a kid, when you arrived at school, everyone hung around outside and played until the bell rang. If it was snowing, we still were outside and only went to the gym if it was raining or bitter cold. At mid-morning, we went outside for a 15 minute break. We were given a 1 hour lunch which you ate as fast as possible so you could get as much play time in as possible. Somewhere around mid-afternoon, we took another 15 minute break. When school let out, we couldn’t wait to get home to go outside and play before you had to come in for dinner and homework. Granted we didn’t have video games or social media, but I’m not sure that’s what started the decline of our physical activity in this country.

I think statistics will show that it was gradually taken away from our youth due to cut backs and soft people. Parent’s afraid to let their children play in the cold and snow. Or play dodge ball or kick ball or try to climb a rope for fear they may not be able to accomplish it and be made fun of. But hey, that’s pure speculation and just my opinion.

I watched the Today Show a few weeks back and they had a spot about how Germans raise their children. They play outside every day, even if it’s snowing.  At which point Savannah Guthrie (and I love Savannah Guthrie) responded “even if it’s snowing?” Isn’t that the best time to play outside when you’re a kid?! Can children only play outside on warm sunny days? Who remembers playing in the rain? Obviously if it was thundering we didn’t play outside, but it was the thing to do, it was awesome! Anyhow, they teach their children to use matches, light candles, use a knife in the kitchen and cook. The idea behind this so called “German way” of teaching is so kids aren’t so curious and accidently burn down the house or chop a finger off. This is exactly how I was raised and how we raised our children. So the Germans and I’m sure many other cultures, have just continued to raise their children the way children were raised generations before.

At about age 5 or 6 my son Tyler wanted to go for a hike. So we woke up early one Saturday and hit the local woods and hiked for a couple of hours. That led to getting up almost every Saturday and Sunday at 6 am for years after to go hiking. It didn’t matter how bad the weather, we went. The nastier the weather, the happier we were. We had back packs full of gear we slowly collected. We built forts, cooked our breakfast on a homemade buddy-burner. We’d sit under our lean to covered with branches and watch the heavy snow or rain come down in the middle of the forest. We learned basic survival skills and even started rock climbing. It helped shape us both. We learned from each other and about each other. It was an incredible experience that I’ll never forget and think of often.

It’s great to see my son and his wife getting our 2 year old granddaughter outside and playing. Over the winter they played in the snow and built snowmen. She loves to run outside and walk in the woods and go to the Fleet Feet training programs with her mom and dad.

We have to invest in our youth and their health. Saucony to date has donated over $1 million to organizations keeping kids healthy and active. They have a great slogan, “We Are All Born to Run”. I love that and it is so true. We have our Mini-Milers (http://www.fleetfeetstuart.com/training/mini-milers) Track program here at Fleet Feet. It’s awesome to see these kids getting active. When you see them run, it’s what kids are born to do. It’s great seeing their confidence grow each week. They want to be active, it’s in their DNA.

PHIT America (http://www.phitamerica.org/) is another great organization that is working hard to change the landscape of youth activity. PHIT America has been very instrumental in getting PE back in schools. Below is some great information taken straight from their website that I think is fantastic!

PE IN SCHOOL - 'THE SOLUTION'

Do you want a solution to our healthcare crisis and to the fact that 80% of children are at risk of disease due to physical inactivity? Do you want to help our children achieve higher academic results?

The solution is physical education in schools. It is overlooked and, many times, not respected for the benefits it provides children for the rest of their lives. In fact, since 2001, many schools have removed P.E. from the list of classes offered and eliminated recess to increase 'learning time.'  But, guess what? Our schools are not competitive with schools in other countries. Look at the bottom of this page http://www.phitamerica.org/Academics.htm for facts on our educational ranking versus other developed countries.

The recent 'sit and learn' approach is not working. People need to move, not just for their physical fitness, but for what physical activity does for the brain, as well.  Learn more here http://www.phitamerica.org/Academics.htm.

PHIT America feels schools which have limited P.E. should strive to offer every child P.E. at least 3 times per week. This will get every child on the road to being a PHIT KID, who will be healthier and smarter.

 Physical Education Benefits Are Broad & Powerful!  

Physical education prepares children to be physically and mentally active, fit and healthy...for life.  Here are some of the many benefits children receive from a quality P.E. program:

• Improved physical fitness
• Skill and motor skills development
• Provides regular, healthful physical activity
• Teaches self-discipline
• Facilitates development of student responsibility for health and fitness
• Influences moral development, leadership, and cooperation with others
• Stress reduction – an outlet for releasing tension and anxiety
• Strengthens peer relationships
• Improves self-confidence and self-esteem
• Respect:  P.E. helps you respect your body, classmates and teammates
• Experience in setting goals
• Improved academics -- The big bonus benefit!

The statistics are alarming and it’s clear we need to get our youth and people moving and exercising more. Our goal at Fleet Feet (http://www.fleetfeetstuart.com/training) is to grow that culture, that life style of activity. It must become a life style for it to work. Not just a way to get in shape and be done. But a way of life that is there for generation after generation. Activity doesn’t have to be exclusive to a gym. That’s why running is so perfect. You can lace up, grab a friend, your significant other, your kids, grandchildren and just go run. I have a friend who runs Hutchinson Island just about every day. Her husband doesn’t run, but he’s always on his bike riding ahead and circling back and checking on her. It’s an awesome thing and something they get to do together. Find a trail and go walk or run. Hunt down some woods and go explore and have an adventure! More importantly, there is someone in your life, a young person, friend or co-worker that needs to get active. Encourage them to join you for a walk, hike or bike ride. Or send them a link to a great training program (http://www.fleetfeetstuart.com/training). They’re affordable, all-inclusive and a great way to meet like-minded people.

I think this is a subject that everyone is concerned about. The alarming statistics have captured the attention of a nation and some large powerful organizations. Hopefully the momentum will be great enough to make a significant impact. Because clearly what we have been doing is not working.

We’ll see you out there. Stay safe, healthy and happy.

Edgar