Programming

High School P.E. Drownings Emphasize Need for Supervision
Last year in central Connecticut, at high schools located less than 10 miles apart, two students drowned in supervised physical education swimming classes ...

Communities Find Alternatives to Eliminating Learn-to-Swim Programs
Five years ago, KNIK Aquatics, a USA Swimming club based in Anchorage, Alaska, took over the city's learn-to-swim program at Bartlett Pool, the state's only 50-meter facility.

Aquatic Exercise Targets Younger Demographics
Aquatics professionals are targeting all age groups with a wide variety of upright exercise programming.

Physical Fitness Tests for Females Under Military Microscope
As one of his final acts before retiring in February, former U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta lifted the military's ban on women in combat — a groundbreaking and controversial move that will likely define his legacy.

The Challenge Faced by Mid-Priced Clubs
So, let’s say you operate a fitness facility that’s about 15,000 square feet in size. You offer a little bit of everything — weights, cardio, personal training, classes of all kinds.

Capitalizing on the 'Strongman' Training Trend
Many years ago, before age and injury took their toll, one of our favorite pastimes was strongman training. Actually, it was one of Rob’s favorite pastimes.

Scholars React to Cancellation of NCAA Colloquium
The writing was on the wall beginning last summer, when for the first time in the six-year history of the NCAA-sponsored Scholarly Colloquium on Intercollegiate Athletics, the NCAA News failed to promote a call for papers. ...

Intramural Coed Basketball Playing Rules Vary Greatly
Suppose for a moment that you're a recreational basketball player at Gonzaga University — and a woman.

Oklahoma State Sets New Rules for Employee Air Travel
The odds of an athletic department having to endure a fatal plane crash involving employees are long.

Rural Schools, Medical Facilities Partner for Athletic Training Services
Athletic trainer Jodie Smith has logged more than 2,500 miles in a single month, traveling between eight schools in and around Billings, Mont. Seven of those schools are K-12 facilities, with the number of high school students at each one ranging from 21 to almost 300. ...

Demand to Close Gap Between Public, Non-Public Schools Increases
High school sports in Tennessee reached a milestone in 2012, marking 15 years of separate postseason tournaments for public and non-public schools.

School Board Member Paul Butler Talks About Ending Football
When Paul Butler called it a moral imperative for fellow members of the Dover, N.H., school board to at least consider discontinuing football in light of mounting research on long-term brain injuries, he did so during a meeting largely attended by empty chairs.

Parks Add Climbing Structures to Draw Users
Parks and green spaces have been lauded as the keys to improving public health, combating childhood obesity and addressing our nation’s sedentary lifestyle crisis.

Biomass Projects Help Parks Departments Save Money, Environment
When budgets need cutting, park maintenance and landscaping often take the hit before more public-centered programming, a decision that can end up costing more in the long run.

Parks Departments Regulate Private Fitness Classes
Santa Monica's Palisades Park is one of the city's most popular green spaces. Perhaps a little too popular. Stretching along the California coast, the park is an excellent place for a jog or leisurely stroll or just to relax and enjoy the ocean view. ...

Doctors: Exercise Caution When Introducing CrossFit
Before launching a CrossFit program at your facility, consider the risks. For many, it's a matter of gauging injury frequency against its physical fitness benefits.

Triathlon Planning: Expect the Unexpected
There’s no way you can prepare for everything. But this quick primer points out a few challenges you can’t afford to overlook when planning your next triathlon.

Fort Bliss Raises Standard With New Aquatic Center
Building a state-of-the art aquatic facility doesn’t happen overnight. Just ask officials at Fort Bliss. It took seven years, $15.5 million, and overcoming several challenges to get theirs just right.

Is it Time to Give Up the 'No Cell Phones' Rule in Health Clubs?
The Serenity Prayer, as it is known, has been adopted by Alcoholics Anonymous and can be a comfort to anyone coping with life's many challenges.

'Baby Steps' in Diet and Exercise Help Get People Moving
You eat too much. You don't exercise enough. You're going to die ugly. How's that for uplifting lunchtime entertainment? et we keep getting asked back to speak with community groups and local employers to deliver that message. ...

Club Chains Should Level with Potential Franchisees
We must be in the wrong business. If we owned a fitness franchise, rather than our privately owned facilities, we'd be wildly successful while rarely going to work.

Race Organizer Beth Shluger Reflects on Sandy Hook Benefit 5K
How did a brand-new 5K run in Connecticut become bigger than any Hartford Marathon held during its 20-year history?

Raiders Fan Kathy Samoun Discusses Spectator Safety
She counts among her friends The Violator, Doctor Death, Gorilla Rilla and other costumed occupants of the so-called “Black Hole” seating sections at Oakland Coliseum.

Local YMCAs Enjoy Operational Autonomy, But National Y Determines Financial Viability
Local YMCAs enjoy operational autonomy, but the national Y ultimately determines financial viability.

No-Score Youth Sports Policies Gaining Popularity
This summer, a growing number of youth soccer teams in Ontario will be playing games without keeping track of goals scored, at least not officially.

Rec Department and YMCA Team Up for Youth Weight Loss Contest
Childhood obesity has tripled over the past 30 years. It's a problem being addressed by schools, communities, families and government programs, with the clear consensus that our kids need to be eating better and exercising more.

Announcing the Twelfth Annual Excellence in Youth Sports Award Winners (2011)
Two parks and recreation agencies and three military installations are recipients of the 2011 Excellence in Youth Sports Awards.