Congratulations to the 2018 Healthy Zone School Award Winners!

On Thursday, May 10, a special dinner was held at the Frontiers of Flight Museum, honoring this year’s Healthy Zone Schools and award winners. Read more...

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Asthma and Depression: the Cooper Center Longitudinal Study (CCLS)

Asthma and depression each affect about 10% of the overall U.S. population. The prevalence of asthma is somewhat higher among youth than adults. While some U.S. studies have shown an association between asthma and depression, the data is based mostly on self-report rather than objective clinical measurements of these conditions. A recent study on Cooper Clinic patients explored this important topic. Read on to learn more!...

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International Youth Fitness Assessment: The Cooper Institute Leading the Way

May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. Thus, it is appropriate to focus attention on assessment of physical fitness, not only in the USA but across the globe. The 13th Measurement & Evaluation Symposium was conducted at the 2018 SHAPE America Annual meeting in Nashville TN. The Symposium, sponsored by The Cooper Institute, focused on “Youth Fitness Assessment in the 21st Century: Issues, Challenges, & Future Directions.” Read more on how The Cooper Institute has lead the way on physical fitness assessment in children and youth....

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Energy Drinks: Friend or Foe?

Energy drinks have surged in popularity over the past quarter of a century, particularly among the younger segments of the population. Concerns regarding adverse events associated with these drinks have arisen. Recently, the American College of Sports Medicine issued a Contemporary Issues paper on the topic of energy drinks. Read on to learn more!...

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Calories Out, Calories In: Physical Education and Nutrition Fuel Up To Play 60 Style

Establishing long term relationships makes it possible to influence each student in ways that lead to lifelong behaviors. Are you looking for ways to strengthen relationships and to influence healthy habits within your curriculum? In this month’s blog, New England Patriots NFL PLAY 60 FitnessGram® champion Timothy Scandale shares several creative opportunities he implemented through the Fuel Up To Play 60 Healthy Eating Plays while promoting physical literacy and so much more…...

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Exercise…Your Right to Vote

Everyone has a voice, and when a group of passionate volunteers come together and use their voices collectively, change happens. Imagine a world in which our youngest generation never experiences early onset type 2 diabetes, never faces having to work in an environment that is a health hazard due to secondhand smoke exposure, and where daily physical activity is simply a way of life. This is a reality that is not only possible, but entirely within our reach. This is the reality that The Cooper Institute® fights for every day. We’re asking you to join us in this fight as well by exercising…your right to vote....

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Fuel Up to Play 60: Physical Activity Plays

Fuel Up to Play 60 is a key component to the NFL Play 60 FitnessGram project, and there are so many ways to get started on implementing the various facets of the program. In this month’s blog post, Seattle Seahawks champion Krista Winn shares her innovative strategies for incorporating Fuel Up to Play 60’s physical activity plays at her school. Strategies include Family Fitness Nights, Peace Pals, effective uses of grant funding, and more. Read on to learn about how Krista’s school engages students, families and staff to create a culture of activity that promotes lifelong fitness....

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What if kids felt empowered by a focus on fitness?

"Gym class" conjures up a wide array of memories for most adults, who either loved it or dreaded it. We know now that physical education is one of the most important classes a student will ever take, as scientific research has shown us just how critical physical education and literacy are to the whole child from health to academics and beyond. Read on to learn more!......

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How Fitness Testing Can Make a Positive Impact on Any Quality PE Program

Too often, physical education teachers are faced with dwindling resources, limited time and a lack of support. One of the most powerful tools PE teachers have at their disposal today is FitnessGram data. Understanding how to use this data to garner support and yes, even funding, for your PE programming can make a substantial difference in how you teach physical education and most importantly, the impact you have on your students and their development of lifelong healthy habits. Read on to learn more about maximizing success with fitness assessment data from Fort Worth ISD’s Director of Health and PE, and FitnessGram Scientific Advisory Board member, Georgi Roberts....

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Des Moines Public Schools and FitnessGram

Acquiring the ideal setup of roster integration with the FitnessGram software is key to streamlining and minimizing time spent managing rosters. With the right technology and support, importing FitnessGram rosters can become an efficient and smooth process that meets the needs of physical education teachers. Des Moines Public Schools shares their unique solution using Infinite Campus....

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Appropriate Warm-Up. Leave the “Old School” Thoughts Behind.

What is your preferred method of warming students up for activity? Running laps, jumping jacks, or static stretching? Your answer should be “none of the above”. This fit tip is going to focus on the appropriate way to get the body ready for physical activity....

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Cooper-Ready

Dr. Jeremy Lyon joins The Cooper Institute as the first president of the Cooper Youth Division. Lyon spent 31 years in the public education sector, advancing from teacher to coach then on to principal, and for the last 14 years as a superintendent. Most recently, Lyon helmed the Frisco Independent School District in Texas, one of the highest performing, fastest growing school districts in the nation. Lyon shares his vision for the future, building a healthier generation, and being Cooper-Ready....

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