Fitness Kids: Hospital launches pilot program for youngsters
Aimed kids not in sports programs
Arkansas Methodist Medical Center has implemented a new program aimed at promoting fitness in youngsters. For the past two weeks, the pilot program, aptly named "Fitness Kids," has sought to instill both exercise and healthy eating habits in youngsters aged 10-15 who are not already involved in sports.
The program, which concluded Thursday, featured three youngsters, Austin Adams, Kaylee Parr and Neal Chronister meeting in the hospital aerobic center from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. learning cooking of healthy snacks, including English muffins with cream cheese, bagels with pizza sauce and cheese, as well as other snacks for the first hour. The next hours featured the three learning agility training, balance and flexibility, coordination, speed and other aspects of physical fitness and healthy lifestyles.
"Part of the exercise included a 'mini-boot camp,'" said AMMC Wellness Center director Andre Watson. "We took the kids to Woodrow Wilson, and there we had them do a one-mile walk, or jumping jacks, sit-ups or pull-ups."
Other activities included the use kicking and punching bags in the aerobic center, along with weight machines, as part of circuit training; and the use of steps, cones, and a horizontally laid-out rope ladder for agility training.
Cost per participant in the program was $45. Watson said the participants were selected for the pilot from among the children of parents who had expressed interest after being advised of program existence though visits to area pediatricians. He added those with access to the hospital's Intranet system also formed part of the poll from which the participants were selected.
"Next year we hope to open it up to more kids," he said.
In addition to Watson, program instructors included volunteer nutritionist Carla Stacy, a teacher in the Nettleton School District; and fitness trainer Jason Nicolle.
By GARY EXELBY
gexelby@paragoulddailypress.com
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