Term Papers on PROMOTING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY THROUGH PARKS AND RECREATION

Term Paper Title	PROMOTING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY THROUGH PARKS AND RECREATION
# of Words	841
# of Pages (250 words per page double spaced)	3.36

PROMOTING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY THROUGH PARKS AND RECREATION

     The United States Department of Health and Human Services published the nation’s public health goals in a document called Healthy People 2000: National Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Objectives. The objectives give priorities to reducing coronary heart disease and obesity, increasing moderate and vigorous physical activity, reducing leisure-time physical inactivity, and increasing physical activities that maintain muscular strength, muscular endurance, and flexibility. (Pearce 1999)
     Parks and Recreation programs can be a driving force when it comes to promoting these health and fitness benefits through physical activity. At a time when schools are reducing or eliminating physical education programs, an opportunity clearly exists for recreational organizations to fill this void. Also, we live in a highly technological society which tends to discourage the need to be physically active. However, recreation departments can take advantage of these two problematic areas by providing programs that are fun and emphasize pleasure and participation. Recreational physical activity can be social outlets for people, can provide emotional support, create a sense of belonging, and a comfortable atmosphere to release creative physical expression without fear of intimidation or failure. Recreation professional can provide organized sports and games that will promote inclusion no matter what gender, race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic background.
     The key to a successful program is to eliminate any barriers that keep children and young adults from participating. Teens and young children like to have fun, socialize with friends, and learn new skills. All these important elements can be attained through a quality, structured recreation program that is affordable and easily assessable. Children and young adolescents from different racial and ethnic backgrounds also need programs that will help them break through language, cultural, and religious barriers. Recreation activity providers must rise above traditional efforts, such as offering sports leagues, swim teams, and drop-in gym hours and utilize other resources in creating and planning activities to meet the needs of a diverse population.
     Recreational sports and games are different from formal organized sports. There are no specialized formal rules or specific behavioral regulations and do not require the acquisition of complex skills. This is important in terms of attracting youth and teens and keeping them involved in physical activity. Unlike “performance” sports, which place greater emphasis on progressive skill development, making sacrifices, dominating opponents, and risking ones well-being for the sake of winning, pleasure and participation sports emphasize enjoyment, growth and mutual concern for teammates and opponents. Ple...

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