Episode 4: Working Out On a Busy Schedule

Objectives

After listening to the podcast, students will:

• Describe why physical activity is an important part of achieving and maintaining lifelong health
• Define what constitutes an effective workout
• Summarize the difference between aerobic and anaerobic exercise
• Know why warming up and cooling are so important
• Understand how to stay safe while working out
• Communicate what the F.I.T.T. formula is

National Health Education Standards

Click the links below to find correlations for the NHES addressed in this activity.

• Grades 6-8                                                • Grades 9-12

Time/Materials Required

• One class period
• Computer with access to the Internet
• Student Activity Worksheet

Downloads

• Download or stream the audio podcast
• Download the podcast script

Facilitating Podcast Activities:

Activity A – Listening and Learning

• Write the words "Physical Activity" on the board and ask students to give you some examples of physical activities they enjoy. Ask them which of the activities they think benefit their health and why.
• Arrange for students to hear the podcast in one of two ways: Listen to the Working Out On a Busy Schedule podcast on the class computer or listen using digital media players.
• After students have listened to the podcast, go back to your list of activities on the board and see if they still think the activities they chose would be good for their health.
• Next, have them answer the questions on the Health Podcast Activity Worksheet. Download the podcast script and use the provided time signature to review key concepts.

Answers:

1. Any three reasons: helps you reach and maintain a healthy body weight, gives you confidence, helps prevent certain diseases, keeps you focused, keeps you toned, helps you stay alert in class, helps you do better in school, helps you look and feel your best. [:50-1:50]
2. The four elements of an effective workout: Contains a warm-up, aerobic and anaerobic activities, and a cool down. [2:15-2:25]
3. The difference between aerobic and anaerobic exercise: Aerobic uses large muscle groups and works the heart and lungs. Anaerobic activities makes the muscles work hard without oxygen and help increase muscle strength. [2:25-3:25]
4. Warming up prepares the body for exercise. Cooling down allows the muscles to return to a resting state. [3:30-4:00]
5. F.I.T.T. stands for Frequency, Intensity, Time, and Type. [4:50-6:10]

Activity B – Building Physical Activity Into Your Days

• Direct students to Activity B and help them plan a month of daily physical activities that fit the criteria for effective workouts.
• Once all students have created a plan direct them to the Google Calendar homepage: www.google.com/calendar. Note: you may also wish to use other free physical activity calendars available on the Internet.
• Explain that you would like each of them to create a calendar. They will enter the physical activities they plan for the month in the calendars.
• Encourage students to use the "reminder" function and to share their calendars with a collaborative group of other students and/or friends and family.
• You may want students to add you to their 'collaborator list' so that you can comment on individual activities and monitor their progress on the project.