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Faculty develop physical activity program for local children

Three Georgia Southern faculty have partnered with Bulloch County’s Transitions Learner Center (TLC) to offer an optional physical activities program for 16 middle and high school students.

Christina Gipson, Ph.D., assistant professor of sport management in the School of Health and Kinesiology, Bridget Melton, Ed.D., associate professor of physical activity in the School of Health and Kinesiology, Dawn Tysinger, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Leadership, Technology and Human Development, and first-year psychology graduate student, Laura Veasey spent this past spring implementing the physical activity program. Students in the Exercise Science course at the University were given the opportunity to observe and assist with the first half of the program as well.

The TLC is an alternative school in Bulloch County that currently serves the general education needs of students, who have been referred to the program and need a more non-traditional learning environment.

With no access to a gym, the group held the physical activity program four times a week in the school cafeteria. Although resources were limited, the program received funding from the School of Health and Kinesiology in the College of Human Sciences, and Tysinger donated the protocols needed for the research.

“The school had minimal physical activity equipment,” noted Gipson. “Tony Pritchard, Ph.D., program coordinator for the School of Health and Kinesiology’s Graduate Physical Education program, and CrossFit Boro helped supply equipment for the participants.”

Before the physical activity program was implemented, students attended school from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with little to no physical activity.

“Due to students being strictly on the computer for their classes, there was very limited opportunity for movement,” said Renee Perry, TLC school counselor. “The program encouraged students to become active and try new activities.”

With the guidance of Gipson, Melton and Tysinger, Veasey developed the curriculum and workouts for the students.

“I attempted to make the workouts fun for the students,” said Veasey. “Students are required to wear a uniform of khaki pants and white shirts while attending TLC, and on the days I demonstrated the activity I dressed to match the students.”

Activities were designed based on the student’s age and skill level. Each activity included rules that encouraged participation of every student. Students were required to attend the physical activity program in the same structure as their general class structure and were only provided the opportunity to participate if they were in good-standing.

Perry expressed the students’ excitement over getting to attend “PE” several times a week. Perry recalled one student in particular who benefited from the physical activity program after having an unsuccessful start at the TLC.

“During the student’s first time participating in the physical activity program, the student really got into the running and circuit training and would exceed the requests of the instructor,” she said. “The student expressed liking to exercise, and we began to see a difference in the student’s classroom behavior. The student was proud of his skills in physical activity.”

Georgia Southern University, a public Carnegie Doctoral/Research University founded in 1906, offers 118 degree programs serving 20,673 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement. Georgia Southern is recognized for its student-centered and hands-on approach to education. Visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu.

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