MVHS

MVHS updates...

I finally feel that I have a pretty good handle on using all of the technology that goes along with the Polar HR moitors, the PE manager and the Tri Fit. There have been some very frustrating times dealing with the technology side of things, as I am not the best person in dealing with computers. Most of what I have learned has been a process of trial and error and going through the turtorials that were provided. I am currently using the Polar HR monitors with all of my PE classes at least once or twice each week. I am also including the results that students get while using the monitors in their mark. I am also using PE manager for all of my classes, using all aspects of the program including the daily items, rubrics, HR rubrics, assignments and the HR downloads. As far as the Tri Fit is concerned I have set up a fitness test for MVHS which all of my PE classes are taking part in. Students are tested at least twice each semester and sometimes three times. Our fitness test includes a measure of height and weight to give them a BMI result, beep test (cardio respiratory), sit and reach (flexibility), bicep strength test (strength), push-ups (muscular endurance), partial curl-ups (muscular endurance), and leg press test (strength).

I have found that the HR monitors are a real motivator for students. The instant feedback that they receive about their HR really seems to encourage them to try to stay in their target zone. I have now done a number of different HR activities from just running to playing various games and asking the students to stay in zone. I have used a number of the activities and circuits that Deb Peterson left with us and I really have used a number of the activities from Project Adventures Fitness book. Many of these activities are more fun for the students than just going for a run or doing a fitness circuit.

Most students have not had many problems using the HR monitors. They seem to pick it up pretty quick. I have found that there is usually always a student or two in each class that has trouble getting a HR up or maitaining it. This is usually a student that is very thin or a couple of the boys have had a bone that protrudes right at the sternum that has made it hard to get a connection. For most of the students however there have not been many problems and they have their HR up when they get to the gym after getting changed. The biggest problems have been not having the strap tight enough, having it to low or not wetting the electrodes.

I have found that it is best to down load heart rates right away and then have the students delete the files from the watch. I was running into watches that had filled the memory but didn't realize it until the student had completed the session and then tried to down load their file, just to realize it wasn't there. I am now down loading all HR files right to the pocket pc. I do not use the razor to record files at all. The pocket pc is so much better to use because you can do it right at the end of class before the students go to change and then simple upload that to PE manager.