Future of Physical Education

Quality physical education programs can be life-changing for today’s young people. Such programs offer students an opportunity to develop their bodies and minds to gain skills that will lead them to success in both the physical and academic aspects of life. PolarUsa, a company who focuses on introducing new technology to help people get fit, is actively increasing child participation in physical education.

For nearly 20 years, Polar has been the leader in providing K-12 physical education programs with the tools and technology needed to objectively quantify, evaluate and monitor students’ health and fitness. Specifically, this includes heart rate monitors and fitness assessment technologies such as the TriFIT systems, which are being used in more than 10,000 K-12 physical education programs across the United States. The have recently introduced their newest technology called Polar Active, which is a computer that allows students to measure and record their physical activity level. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention children should participate in at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day. Polar Active provides a continuous 24/7 measurement of daily activities, including calories burned, and active steps. With a fun, animated figure, students can accurately track the quantity and quality of daily activity, which in turn helps motivate them towards a healthier, more active lifestyle.  The program aligns students based on national and sate standards, which not only significantly improve the participation of children, but also the grading efficiency in physical education classes. Childhood obesity has tripled in the United States over the past thirty years, and today one in three children are considered overweight or obese, Bob Wehinger, representative for Polar says that "Polar is committed to reversing this epidemic and helping our nation’s students become more active and maintain a healthy weight."