Milford chronicle., 1961-09-01
wilkinson Describes
Fitness Program

CHICAGO-Details of President
Kennedy's Youth Fitness Program
were outlined recently by Charles
sultant on Youth Fitness to the
President.
The program is based on regular
exercise and testing Of physical
ability in the schools.
1t is workable in any school
situation, regardless of facilities
or personnel" the Oklahoma foot
ball coach said in an article in
the current (September) Today's
Health, published by the American
Medical Association. And it will
produce results even If a minimum
of Is minutes per school day are
devoted to it.
Wilkinson emphasized that the
program, prepared by the Presi-
dents Council on Youth Fitness
IN cooperation with more than a
dozen key organizations including
the ANA, is not compulsory
system of physical education for
the schools. Rather, he said, it is
a suggested program, 1.-THE success
of which will depend entirely on
the cooperation Of all Americans"
The physical status OF tOday's
youngsters is below that Of Ameri-
can youth Of a generation ago, Will
kinson said
He urged parents to treat the
problem seriously and enthusiasts
tically" by seeing that the suggest
ed program, or better one, is
supplemented in the school their
children attend il the school has
no adequate program.
The program consists of five re-
commentators:
The preschool physical apprai-
sal Of children be broadened to
include eening tests for
strength, agility, and flexibility.
These tests can be given in less
than a minute, and in a very small
space.
Pupils who fail the tests for
strength, agility, and flexibility be
required to participate in progress
i've developmental exercises and ac-
tivities designed TO build up mus
cular structures and enable under
developed students to meet mini
um fitness levels.
The screening tests be repeat
ed every six weeks until all stu
dents reach minimum levels. Stu
dents with health limitations
which preclude vigorous participa-
tlon would be put on program
consistent with their physical con-
dition. All medical and health
needs should be attended to, Of
course.
Ali students spend a minimum
Of Is minutes per day participant
ing in sustained conditioning ex-
ercises and developmental activi-
ties designed to build vigor,
strength. flexibility. endurance,
and balance. This. Of course. is
part of broader physical educa-
ton program
Students be given a compre
hensive test at the beginning and
end of the semester. The first test |
would establish their present sta
us and perhaps moeivate them to |
improv their physical condition. |
Parents would have a clear under
standing of where their child |
stands in the physical fitness scale |
The second test would measure |
the child's progress made during |
the semester.
The ANA pointed out it is i'm
portant that each school under !
taking WilkinSon's fitness pro-
gram make certain that it is car
ried out under the supervision Of
a physician. Careful preliminary
physical examinations to make GER
tain that there are no cOntraindi-
cations to physical training are
urged for each student
"Of course, this by no means
constitutes a full, well-rounded
program of physical education"
Wilkinson said. But it Is a be-
ginning that will produce results
now and, l hope. bring about a
resurgence OF interest in youth
physical fitness.
Wilkinson said exercise is also
a must" for adults. However, a
medical checkup is a necessary
preliminary if the individual is out
of condition, he said.
Unless a person has some dis
order. it is never too late to be-
gin getting back into shape, he
said
But 1t does take daily persever-
ance, he said, adding:
After all. you can't expect in
a weeks time to make over a
hOIv that fOok vooro IN uracL