Physical Activity in the Pediatric Population
Author: Donnie Drury, Magan Freeman, Anita Solomon, Ryan Wylie, and Sara Clark
Faculty Supervisor: Dr. Lydia Watkins and Dr. Sarah Hartman
Abstract:
Nursing students taking the Pediatric Service-Learning course were asked to identify a crucial health related need for children within the community. After conducting a detailed literature review we decided to implement a teaching project on obesity and the importance of physical activity using current research findings and evidence-based nursing practice. Childhood obesity and the incidence of type-two diabetes are on the incline resulting in increased comorbidities and mortality. In our technology driven world children are spending more time online than they are on the court. High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is an effective method to help children obtain a higher level of fitness in a decreased amount of time per day. The method of exercise creates a highly diverse regime that progresses with the client to match their fitness level and push them towards a healthier life overall. Collaborating with education majors, nursing students were able to provide the school with information on physical activity for children’s use. More than 150 sixth grade students were led in a routine of circuit training with one minute of maximum intensity effort and one minute of rest in between each station. The results showed that the students were able to restate the benefits of being physically active everyday on their overall health. Throughout this project, the nursing students collaborated with the School of Education teacher candidate students as a grant was written, received, current age-appropriate books related to the education topic were identified, purchased, and given to the schools, and bulletin boards were developed to further the teaching of this topic in the school.
