Engaging the focus and attention of our youth can be a difficult task, especially within the special education and behavioural classes at our public and alternative schools. Many of our youth suffer from symptoms of ADHD, and other illnesses such as Oppositional Defiance Disorder. These disorders can cause youth to act in ways that limit their success, as they are often distant and inaccessible to educators.

Teachers have tried countless methods to engage distracted youth and improve the behaviour of troubled students, such as Ritalin and other commercial drugs. None of these artificial methods work as well as exercise, not even close! That’s right, have your students complete 20 minutes of vigorous physical exercise and you will certainly witness a positive change within each of them.

If you don’t believe us, just explore some of the research that has been performed recently on the topic of youth exercise and its effects on brain activity and behaviour.

Featured on several television documentaries, a new book called Spark (Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain) is getting much attention from educators around the world. Author of the book, Dr.John Ratey, identifies the many ways in which exercise is essential to the brain health of all individuals. The information presented is especially important when considering how we teach our youth, and how we approach the varying issues related to their development.

Link: www.johnratey.com/newsite/index.html

The research illustrates a direct link between exercise and brain function, more exercise leads to enhanced brain function! Here is a list of some the effects of exercise on the brain and how it impacts our youth:

• Promotes Neuro-genesis, the growth of new brain cells. Nothing does this better than exercise!
• Increased brain activity and improved brain function. Resulting in sharper, more attentive, and less impulsive students.
• Improved self esteem and self image.
• Improved academic achievement.
• Improved attention span, and an increased ability to maintain their focus.
• Improved attendance and participation rates.
• Improved energy levels.
• Reduced anxiety and stress.
• Reduced cases of depression.
• Reduced behaviour problems.
• Reduced chance for addiction.

SchoolFit has already been working with schools all over Canada to promote the use of exercise as a method to counteract behaviour related problems that limit the academic success of our youth. During the fall of 2009, we were fortunate to work with the Special Ed program at James S. Bell Middle School in Toronto.

Prinicpal John Currie contacted us in search of cardiovascular training equipment for his school, and had asked if we could assist him in developing his unique behaviour focused program. We were happy to oblige and have continued to provide similar solutions to other schools across Canada! This story made front page news back in February, please click the following link to view the Toronto Star article:

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/760255–hitting-the-gym-before-hitting-the-books

Our solution was to bring in high quality remanufactured treadmills and exercise bikes, so that each student would have an outlet for achieving the recommended 20 minutes of sustained vigorous exercise. Sounds easy, but it is not! The key here is having the machines located within the classroom, which presents the image that exercise is a mandatory part of each day. A similar solution was also put in place by Allison Cameron, a Special-Ed teacher in Saskatoon who made national headlines for achieving great success with her students after implementing a mandatory 20 minute workout session as part of their daily routine.

http://www.cbc.ca/thenational/indepthanalysis/story/2009/10/06/national-braingains.html

Alison Cameron and John Currie have achieved great success as a result of incorporating exercise into the lives of their students, and many other teachers are catching on to this emerging trend! SchoolFit specializes in providing budget focused commercial grade cardiovascular training equipment that will last in a school setting for many years, we save schools thousands of dollars and provide only the most durable products available.

The success of Special-Ed exercise programs in Canadian schools has not gone unnoticed, and we are seeing many schools implement similar programs for all students. Your school may be next, it is our mission to create awareness and support for implementing quality cardiovascular exercise programs within all schools across Canada.

Click here (www.keystonefitness.ca or www.stakfitness.com)  to view a complete offering of SchoolFit Approved Cardio Equipment, provided by our trusted equipment partners and generous corporate donors.

Building a complete Special-Ed fitness facility in your school could take some time, why wait! Contact SchoolFit today for a free consultation, one of our experienced professionals will be happy to assist you in creating a success plan for your program.