Which Activities Are For You?

Kevin Reynolds kreyno04@shepherd.edu

This webquest was developed at Shepherd University to give students an alternate outlet by which they can learn the basic aspects of one of the CSO’s for physical education.

The students have been given a story. This story contains web links as well as question pertaining to those links. The students are to visit each website and answer their corresponding questions. At the conclusion of information gathering, the students are to compile their answers and then construct an essay synthesizing what they have learned.

Grade: HS Physical Education

Standard: 4 Physical Fitness (PE.S.4)

(PE.S.4) Students will apply physical fitness concepts to achieve and maintain a health enhancing level of physical fitness.

Objectives: Students will:

PE.HS.4.04 compare and contrast the fitness values of various physical activities.

http://wvde.state.wv.us/policies/csos.html

This webquest was designed for physical education courses at all high school levels. However, students in all courses could benefit from participating in this webquest as it deals with identifying the health benefits of a variety of physical activities. It has also been constructed in a manner that younger students could also perform the webquest.

Prior to beginning this webquest, students should have a basic knowledge of the components of physical fitness. Students should also be proficient in web surfing and Microsoft Word.

In order to complete this webquest, students should have access to a computer and the internet. Though not necessary, the equipment used in each activity could prove beneficial in the completion of the webquest.

The Webquest:

You have been thinking for some time now about getting in shape, but you do not know where to start. You need to come up with some great activities to participate in. You do not want to be bored out of your mind while you are exercising, because you know that you will become disinterested and give up. You decide to go on a fact finding mission, a webquest, to discover a variety of fun and exciting physical activities that you can take part of. Not only will you learn the fitness values of these activities, but you will also be able to compare and contrast them and pick the ones that are right for you!

Your assignment is to surf the web and find out the facts about a variety of physical activities. You need to find out the fitness values of each activity, compare and contrast these values, and pick the activity that you think best suits you.

You start thinking about physical activities and realize that running is a great place to start. You have always enjoyed running, so why not make it part of your new exercise routine. Visit the following website and answer the corresponding questions.

http://www.therunnersguide.com/benefitsofrunning/

1. What are at least two health benefits gained from running?

2. What is the name of the hormone released while running that can improve your mood?

Running seems great, but maybe there are other things to explore. You have a bike, right? That seems like a lot of fun and you know it is great exercise. You have not been on your bike for a long time, so you better make sure it is still in operating condition. After that, why don’t you get on the web and find out some information about biking?

http://bicycling.about.com/od/thebikelife/a/why_ride.htm

3. List three of the health benefits associated with avid bike riding.

4. Compare and contrast the benefits of running and biking. Are there any differences in the benefits?

Bike riding seems like a lot of fun. But you would like to find an activity that you can do with other. After all, you are afraid that if you exercise exclusively on your own, that you will become bored and disinterested. You start thinking of a fun sport that you could play with another person. Tennis! Look up some information on tennis and let’s see what you think.

http://www.playerdevelopment.usta.com/content/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=114688&itype=7418

5. List five of the physical reasons for playing tennis.

6. List five of the psychological reasons for playing tennis.

7. Explain why playing tennis might be more suited for someone than running alone.

Tennis is a great game. You can’t believe how many health benefits arise from playing a lot of tennis. You could enjoy tennis for your lifespan. But you want to see some activities that require a little more teamwork. Maybe you could find a local league of some sort. You know…..soccer. Your big brother plays and loves it. Check out this site about soccer and come up with some answers.

http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Soccer?Open

8. Name four of the health benefits of playing soccer regularly.

9. Soccer is a much more physically demanding sport. What are four precautions to take to avoid injury?

Soccer just might be the sport for you. It is a great way to exercise and spend some time with your friends. There are so many health benefits that go along with soccer. You are starting to wind down your search. You decide to find something risky and daring to investigate. How about rock climbing? That is certainly adventurous! Let’s find out some information on rock climbing.

http://www.alive.com/4495a12a2.php?subject_bread_cramb=6

10. Rock climbing addresses four of the five fitness components. What are they?

11. Rock climbing can be done indoors or outdoors. Which would you prefer, and why?

Your search is at an end. Hopefully you have come up with some good ideas on what activities you would like to start getting involved with. As you can see, all of these activities have health and fitness benefits and values. Now that you are finished gathering your information, compile all of your questions and answers together on one sheet. After you comprise your list, write a one to two page essay covering the following areas:

1. Compare and contrast the fitness values of the five activities listed.

2. Pick which one of the five activities most appeals to you.

3. Explain why that activity appeals to you on both a psychological and physical level.

4. Design your strategy on how you are going to participate in the activity for the long term.

Regardless of when you are beginning this webquest, it is due exactly one week from today!

END

This lesson was organized to follow a progression of simple to complex activities, all of which have numerous health values. It should not take more than one to two class periods to complete, or one night of homework. Students should work individually on this webquest, as it is geared towards their own personal health goals. This webquest can be completed either at school or at home, provided the student has all of the necessary materials at home.

In order to grade this webquest, use the following answer guide:

1. What are at least two health benefits gained from running? Weight loss, improved cardiovascular health, retarded aging process, psychological benefits

2. What is the name of the hormone released while running that can improve your mood? Endorphins

3. List three of the health benefits associated with avid bike riding. Increased cardiovascular fitness, increased strength, increased balance and flexibility, increased endurance and stamina

4. Compare and contrast the benefits of running and biking. Are there any differences in the benefits? Running vs. biking benefits, biggest differences are distance, and joint health

5. List five of the physical reasons for playing tennis. See http://www.playerdevelopment.usta.com/content/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=114688&itype=7418

6. List five of the psychological reasons for playing tennis. See http://www.playerdevelopment.usta.com/content/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=114688&itype=7418

7. Explain why playing tennis might be more suited for someone than running alone. You have a partner for social aspect, competition, more fun, less joint pain, more overall fitness

components, can play for a lifetime

8. Name four of the health benefits of playing soccer regularly. Increases aerobic capacity and cardiovascular health, lowers body fat and improves muscle tone,

builds strength, flexibility and endurance, increases muscle and bone strength, improved health due to shifts between walking, running, and sprinting

9. What are four precautions to take to avoid injury? Warm up your muscles and joints before starting, maintain your fitness to play well and avoid injury or fatigue, ensure you have plenty of fluids on hand and rehydrate regularly, don’t overdo it – depending on your age and physical condition, wear the correct protective equipment

10. Rock climbing addresses four of the five fitness components. What are they? Muscular strength, muscular endurance, body composition, flexibility

11. Rock climbing can be done indoors or outdoors. Which would you prefer, and why? Pick one, answer needs only to be personally explained

Essay construction

The essay should provide a synthesis of the knowledge gained through the webquest. The essay should be graded on a ten point scale. An essay that receives full credit should include comparisons and contrasts between all five activities, the selection of the most appealing activity by the student, valid physical and psychological explanations on why the student picked that activity, and a detailed strategy for participating in the activity for a lifetime. An essay that would receive a very poor score would include little comparison and contrast of the five activities or failure to use all of the activities, the picking of an activity with no basis for that pick, and little to no strategy for lifelong participation. All scores between the extremes must be graded by the teacher based on overall comprehension and synthesis of the material.

References

Outside of the websites listed, there were no other resources used in the construction of this webquest.