The fitness industry understands only too well that many people will register for programs may be attend a few practices, then drop-out, or some cases simply not show up. The best of intentions require a long commitment to see the goal fulfilled. For some organizations, their goal is to sell lengthy membership terms – often well in excess of their capacity if all members attended at the same time – in order to maximize profits. Such business models rely on the fluctuating motivations of their members. Some fitness clubs / groups sports, especially those that have a fitness or weight loss focus, will expect a lack of exercise adherence from many of their participants, and a few – unethically – will not do much about it.
Posts Tagged 'sports'
Finding a balance in exercise and play
Tagged with: challenging enjoyment fitness motivating participation play sports
Coaching a reluctant participant in sports
Tagged with: athletes children coaching disabilities kids sports
Recently, my young son expressed an interest in participating in a highly competitive track meet. The best students from across the city were going to gather for a big event and close to one thousand runners would fill the stadium with noise and frenetic energy. Although Michael has autism he is a very capable young athlete who has enjoyed success against his peers. We both agreed he was ready for the challenge. As the track meet approached I noticed that he was becoming increasingly anxious. Soon, with any mention of the track meet, his tears would start to flow. No amount of calming or reassuring words could alleviate his anxiety. He decided not to participate – this was something that I fully supported – and Michael’s sense of relief was almost palpable. I could not easily explain his change of heart. After a few days of gentle questioning I discovered that Michael was anxious about the length of the university track (400m) and his belief that it was much bigger than the track we practice on (also 400m). He had allowed this belief to undermine his confidence.
Who is out there exercising?
Tagged with: Americans exercise Physical Activity sports Hardly anybody! According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics only about 16% of teens and adults report that they participated in sports or physical activity on an average day. The number of people in the same age range that reported they watched TV on an average day? 80%
Why relationships are important to athletes with challenges (part 2)
Tagged with: advocate athletes coach disability mentor role model sports
A few weeks ago I wrote a blog titled “Teaching sports to special needs athletes: A tripod of influences”. In that blog I discussed how pedagogy (how you teach), content (what you teach) and relationships all contribute to the effectiveness of the athlete’s participation and enjoyment of sports. Positive athlete –coach relationships are particularly important for special needs athletes. Coaches are in a powerful position to role model, mentor and advocate for athletes for whom the social aspects of sports present challenges. Research has shown that peer culture (especially in sports), when role modeled by a coach that values diversity, can support effective and authentic inclusion. The consequence is that athletes with challenges feel valued and accepted by teammates. Sadly, this is not the universal experience of some special needs athletes. Some of these athletes participate in “a culture of exclusion which posits that isolating and marginalizing someone is appropriate, acceptable and sometimes even laudatory” (Sapon-Shevin, 2003).
Why relationships are important to athletes with challenges (Part 1)
Tagged with: athletes coach disability relationships sports
The exponential growth of Facebook, and other forms of social media, have powerfully demonstrated the importance we human beings place on feeling connected to others. Successful participation in this interconnected world now requires us to be capable of swift and articulate interactions with others. The rewards for competent practitioners of these social skills are considerable: They can influence social status and elevate the individual’s sense of well-being.
One Legged Wrestler Never to Give Up
Tagged with: athletes disability exercise sports Anthony Robles from Mesa, Arizona was born with no right leg. He was given a prosthetic leg and at the age of 3 he removed the prosthetic leg and has never put one back on. When he was 12, he set a record at his local elementary school for the most push-ups completed by any member of the school. “I really don’t see missing my leg as a handicap. My parents raised me strong and they didn’t give me any special treatment.” He worked very hard to do different exercises to keep his body strong.
“Sticks and Stones” : How they influence learning in sport
Tagged with: acceptance coaching communication coping inclusion intolerance sports
“Sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me!” You are probably all familiar with that ridiculous rhyme that is thrown about as if it is some sort of protective device against verbal bullying. Name calling, slurs, and insults do hurt, of course, and people with disabilities and challenges have almost certainly had their share of such experiences. Unfortunately, sports do not have a long history of promoting acceptance, inclusion, or recognizing the value of special needs athletes. The combination of intolerance and exclusion tends to encourage athletes to use harsh and judgmental language to ridicule the performances of an athlete that does not measure up to a particular standard.
Coaching beyond the cliches of sports
Tagged with: athletes coach disability sports
Sports language is full of clichés. Too often we hear that an athlete has given 110 % in a game – as if effort is something that is easily measured and converted into a percentage.
Are you a teacher, coach or educator of sports for special needs athletes?
Tagged with: athletes children coach disabilities educator sports teacher
Are you a teacher, an educator or a coach of sports? Is there any difference? The distinctions between the three are not necessarily obvious. Not all coaches are good teachers. They may have an excellent knowledge of the sport, understand its skills and tactics, and yet be very poor at sharing their expertise with their athletes. Likewise, not all teachers are good sports coaches; they may have a sound grasp of pedagogy (how an activity can best be delivered) but lack the insight and experience a coach might bring to the sport.
