C’motion is a big hit! DDR FUN!

One week Osawatomie Middle School students flew around the gym on skates, and then the next, they danced, danced, danced and danced to C’motion, the music-driven exergaming experience designed to keep the mind and body in constant motion.

Dylan M. Stewart (center) makes a small jump while trying to keep up with the music and directions. (Photo by Kevin Gray)The idea is to combine the age of technology with physical exercise, said physical education teacher Nancy Gagnebin.“It already has our legs hurting and our heart rates up,” she said.Coach Dave French said students and staff were still learning how best to use the equipment.“On Tuesday, when we used it the first time, we weren’t sure if we could keep them active the whole period, but they liked it. Instead of lining students up in rows on the practice pads, we set up two teams in a circle and rotated. It worked well, and they liked the competition. It’s called Battle Mode with half the court against the other half,” he said.

The C’motion franchise, located in Oklahoma City, sends a large-screen television, two electronic platforms and pratice pads.Dancers follow directions on the television screen while music the students like blasts from speakers.

The Cmotion can be found at the Exergame Fitness website here

“They follow the arrows on the screen and with their feet hit the same arrows on the dance pad. Right step, left step, hops, jumps forward and then back. Mines, like landmines, will cost them points. There are also ability levels from novice to excellent. We’re mainly running novice, easy, and medium, but that medium is pretty difficult,” French said.

Reacting to a misstep up front or a funny scene on the television screen, Hanna Butts keeps on dancing. (Photo by Kevin Gray)As two students dance on the electronic pad, the others follow the same directions on practice pads beneath their feet.French said they are constantly programming new songs or steps in as they go along.“We could leave the system running all night, and it still wouldn’t run through every song programmed in,” he said. Eighth-grader Matthew Petrie said he liked how the interactive nature of the system appealed to younger people.“It’s pretty fun, and it gets you going. Plus the music’s great,” he said.

OMS rented C’motion for a week or three class periods, French said.Sixth-grader Emmaline Cochrane, with eyes glued to the television screen, kept in step.“It really works you out. And it makes you feel more energetic,” she said.Heather Machiel thought the school should provide the students more gym time like this.

Supersized P.E.: Ten Tips to Help Overweight Kids Get Healthy

SDSU professor teaches physical education to help overweight students reach their fitness goals

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Bags of Halloween candy are piled high in the grocery stores this week, providing a dangerous temptation for those battling obesity. For the parents of overweight children, getting their children to understand the dangers of overindulging after trick-or-treating can be even more difficult.



San Diego State University Exercise and Nutritional Sciences professor David Kahan, offers ten ways to help parents -- and teachers -- get overweight kids back on track, not just after Halloween, but for the rest of their life, in his new book "Supersized P.E."

"Being physically active every day is especially crucial for children struggling with weight issues," said Kahan, a physical education teacher and researcher. "Overweight and obese youth carry social, psychological and emotional burdens that often lead to anger, despair and ultimately, a sedentary lifestyle. Our goal is to help youth love physical activity."

Exergame Fitness is the world’s largest distributor & service provider of Exergaming and kids fitness products. They provide Facility Planning & Installation, Grant & Funding Assistance, Program Design & Product Training, Turnkey Marketing Support, Free Layout Designs & Concepts, Detailed Programming Curriculums, Financing Options and more. They offer the lowest prices on any of the products they carry backed by their 110% Lowest Price Guarantee.


Supersized P.E. is designed to help parents, physical educators and leaders of physical activity programs to better understand the physical, emotional and psychological issues that reduce the overweight child's quality of life and help them learn how to be physically active for a lifetime. The book's recommendations include:

1) Set an Example: Be a good role model of overall wellness.

2) Emphasize a Child's Strengths: If it's something they enjoy or are good
at, they are much more likely to do it.

3) Foster a Positive Atmosphere that feels safe and inviting, is free of
sarcasm, insults and harassment and be a consistent source of comfort
and encouragement.

4) Focus on Behaviors, Not Outcomes: Help them control behaviors and focus
on how to change, not the results of changing.

5) Face the Facts: Denial is dangerous. Parents and teachers need to
acknowledge when a student seems to be gaining weight or is overweight.

6) Develop a Social Support Network: Find a social niche where an
overweight child is with others who share the same positive attitudes
toward physical activity and health or at least support the child's
needs and intentions.

7) Avoid the Spotlight: Overweight children should not be placed in
situations in which their physical performance is on display for all to
see and critique. It is better to offer physical activity settings in
which the overweight child can blend in and work at his or her own
pace/level.

8) Get a Doctor's Advice: Physical education programs that report a
child's body mass index (BMI) may inadvertently trigger parental
overreaction and undue stress on an overweight child. Parents should
consider having their overweight child assessed by his or her
pediatrician before undertaking an intervention.

9) Nutrition is Key: Educate young people how to make smart food choices.
Teach overweight children about serving sizes, how to select low-fat
snacks and how to recognize when they are full.

10) Reduce Screen Time: The numbers tell the story, during the average
3.47 daily hours a 100-pound child spends engaged in screen-based
media (t.v., computer, video games) he or she burns 166 calories,
contrasted with swimming (666), walking the dog briskly (687), playing
half-court basketball (937), hiking (957), etc.


Kahan said another crucial part of addressing this major societal issue is for parents to actively petition local schools to take a larger role in helping students meet fitness goals.

"That is why it is critically important for all parents to demand their children participate in quality physical education and physical activity programs, and get a minimum of 60 minutes of daily physical activity."

Kahan said the challenge is much greater than how to lose weight, but rather, how to help youth balance nutrition and daily physical activity.

Kahan also runs SDSU's Hardy Elementary School P.E. program, which brings SDSU students studying to become physical education teachers onto the playground to interact and help young students meet their physical fitness goals.

"Teaching this increasingly prevalent population can be a joy as well as a challenge," Kahan said. "For teachers to really help address the obesity problem they must understand what life is like for an overweight student and how they can create a positive attitude about physical activity."

Kahan said it is important that teachers, coaches, school nutrition directors, nurses, administrators, parents and community leaders all work in a coordinated effort to put good health and well-being as a top, lifelong priority for today's children and youth.

"Supersized P.E.: A Comprehensive Guidebook for Teaching Overweight Students," coauthored by Josh Trout, professor in the Department of Kinesiology at California State University, Chico, is available through the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE).

San Diego State University is the oldest and largest higher education institution in the San Diego region. Since it was founded in 1897, the university has grown to offer bachelor's degrees in 81 areas, master's degrees in 74 areas and doctorates in 16 areas. SDSU's more than 34,000 students participate in an academic curriculum distinguished by direct contact with faculty and an increasing international emphasis that prepares them for a global future. For more information, visit http://www.sdsu.edu.

Contact:
Gina Speciale, Media Relations Manager
SDSU Marketing & Communications
(619) 594-4563 office; (619) 813-3581 cell
speciale@mail.sdsu.edu

Greg Block
SDSU Marketing & Communications
(619) 594-2176 office; (619) 849-9645 cell
gblock@mail.sdsu.edu

SOURCE San Diego State University

About Exergame Fitness
Exergame Fitness – a Motion Fitness Company is the world’s largest distributor & supplier of Exergaming, Exerlearning, Kids Fitness Products & Programming to YMCA’s, Schools, JCC’s. Park Districts, Health Clubs, Hospitals, Kid Zones, Family Entertainment Centers, Casinos, Government/VA and more.
Exergame Fitness provides Facility Planning & Installation, Grant & Funding Assistance, Program Design & Product Training, Turnkey Marketing Support, Free Layout Designs & Concepts, Detailed Programming Curriculums, Finance & Lease Options and more. Exergame Fitness offers the lowest prices on any of the products they carry backed by a 110% Lowest Price Guarantee.

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Wal-Mart Giving Back to Kids...

Recent Initiatives
Recent InitiativesWal-Mart is proud to be a good neighbor and citizen in thousands of communities across the country and around the world. We believe it’s a privilege to be a store that’s part of the community. And, we believe it’s our responsibility to help sustain the communities that rely upon us. The stories below are just a few examples of how Wal-Mart and their associates give back to our communities. Click on each story to find out more.

Wal-Mart Foundation Donates $5 Million to YouthBuild USA
In line with its commitment to make education a top priority in 2008, the Wal-Mart Foundation awarded $5 million to YouthBuild USA.

The First Tee
The First Tee offers educational programs and training facilities that make a real difference in young people’s lives – promoting character development and core values like honesty, integrity, and responsibility.

Foundation Awards $500,000 to Clinton Global Initiative
Through CGI University, Walmart empowering college students to make a difference in their communities through sustainable action.

Wal-Mart Gave More than $296 Million in 2007
Giving back to the community has always been a top priority for Wal-Mart, and 2007 was no exception. Wal-Mart’s global contributions totaled more than $470 million.

$32 Million Donated to Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign
During the 2007 holiday season, Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club customers reached deep into their pockets and contributed more than $32 million to the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign.