Dave's sophomore students begin their year by testing for a baseline heart rate which is used for the basis for each student's individualized workout. The students learn their resting heart rate, training heart rate zone, recovery period and overload principals. Using the heart rate monitors during exercise continues throughout their high school career. Dave says using heart rate monitors is a good way to grade effort because it tracks each student's individual effort. As an instructor it is a benefit because it is easier to see how hard a student is working and prevent them from over working or encouraging overextension.
Students compete against themselves and try to attain their personal best.
The results of the heart rate monitor is tracked by downloading the reading to a computer with a resulting printout that allows students to see their progress and compare heart rates for various activities. Some students have used heart rate monitors in other academic areas to assess stress, such as when giving a speech. Lincoln High School also has a tri-fit health appraisal system. Using a nine minute bike test, a strength test and a flexibility test, plus a one hundred personal lifestyle questionnaire it prints out a twenty page health risk appraisal. It suggests lifestyle changes, ways to improve their fitness level and encouragement about what they are doing right.