FitNews – December 2007

Welcome to the December issue of FitNews. This last issue of the year will not fail to disappoint you, as we bring you all the latest health and fitness news, including news on how exercise can reduce dementia and help you live a longer, healthier life. We also bring you a few of our latest products and remind you that this is your last chance to get 10% discount on our books and DVDs in time for Christmas delivery.

January is notoriously known as the busiest time of the year for those in the health and fitness industry. Those who have over-indulged at Christmas flock to their nearest gym to try and burn off the extra mince pies and turkey consumed over Christmas. So although we know your in for a busy new year, we hope you have a fantastic Christmas break and remember – try not to over-indulge too much yourself!

Wishing you a happy and healthy Christmas and New Year,
Everyone at Human Kinetics

In FitNews this month…
	Bring the authentic Argentine tango alive in your living room Fitness ‘is more important than beating obesity in middle age’ Lack of time, off-putting PE lessons, social pressure … why women face a fitness crisis Exercise ‘reduces risk of dementia’ Over half of new mothers who die ‘are obese’ Mediterranean diet, exercise are key to long life Still time to claim your discount in time for Christmas!

Bring the authentic Argentine tango alive in your living room

The likes of Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing with the Stars have already made regular appearances on television sets around the country, but now you can bring the authentic Argentine tango alive in your living room, with Gotta Tango. A superior new book and DVD package for those who want to learn to dance the tango, either individually, or as a follow-up to a class. Master teachers Alberto Paz and Valorie Hart teach you how to dance the authentic Argentine tango as it evolved from the streets of Buenos Aires. Taking you on a journey through the rich culture, history and music of Argentina that inspired the passion, creativity and natural elegance of the dance. The book describes, illustrates and explains the fundamental concepts and techniques, while the DVD visually demonstrates real dance situations. Gotta Tango provides the tools and guidance that you will need to learn quickly and with confidence. Immerse yourself in the experience, pleasure and addiction of dancing the Argentine tango! PRICE: £19.99 (29.99 Euros) Read more about the book!

Fitness ‘is more important than beating obesity in middle age’

Fitness is more important than thinness in retaining mobility, strength and balance in old age. Middle-aged people who do half an hour’s vigorous activity three times a week are half as likely as the sedentary to suffer physical decline and impaired mobility as they get older. “Use it or lose it” was the message, said Dr Iain Lang, of the Peninsula Medical School in Plymouth, who, with collaborators in the United States, studied data on more than 10,000 people aged between 50 and 69 for up to six years. Importantly, he said, the benefit of exercise was enjoyed regardless of body mass index. All groups roughly halved their risks of physical decline by doing exercise – so that a fit obese person did as well, or better, than a thin, unfit one. “Some people take up exercise and then give up when they don’t lose weight,” Dr Lang said. “This research shows that you get important benefits from exercise even if it doesn’t help you lose weight.” The Times, 10th December 2007 Read the full story…

Lack of time, off-putting PE lessons, social pressure … why women face a fitness crisis

Women’s fitness is in crisis in the UK, with fewer than one in five doing enough exercise to be healthy, prompting Gordon Brown to call for a cultural change to transform girls’ attitudes to sport. Social pressures which portray sport as unfeminine and encourage girls to be thin rather than fit are an important barrier preventing girls and women from taking part in exercise, according to the study by the Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation. Negative experiences of sport in school and low body confidence also put women off exercise, the research found. The prime minister, in a recorded address at the report’s launch, warned of a “critical under-representation of women and girls in sport” at all levels, and urged “a cultural change that allows girls to see sport and physical activity as aspirational”. “Sport needs to change so that it becomes as much a place for women and girls as it is for men and boys,” he said, and told sports bodies to “work harder to understand women’s lives”. The Guardian, 15th November 2007 Read the full story…

Exercise ‘reduces risk of dementia’

Having a healthy body leads to a healthier mind, reducing the risk of clinical depression and dementia in later life, new research has showed. Scientists at Bristol University have found that physical exercise can reduce the risk of cognitive impairment, dementia or Alzheimer’s in older people by between 30 and 40 per cent. Studies were carried out on 17 subjects aged 70 or above, who were observed for between five and 21 years, and all showed a reduced risk of these mental health problems. At a British Nutrition Foundation conference, evidence that exercise was vital for psychological well- being, mood and self-esteem was also highlighted. In Britain today, one in six people suffer from mental health problems at any one time. However, only 35 per cent of men and 24 per cent of women undertake 30 minutes of exercise at least five times a week, as recommended by the Department of Health. Previous research has suggested that physical activity could be related to a reduced risk of dementia. The Telegraph, 7th December 2007 Read the full story…

Over half of new mothers who die ‘are obese’

More than half of women who die after having a child are overweight, as the obesity epidemic drives up the death rate among new mothers, according to a report. Almost 300 women died after having children between 2003-05, according to new figures. And about 40 per cent of the deaths were avoidable, the Confidential Inquiry into Maternal and Child Health (Cemach) report will say. The Cemach report criticises poor standards of care in maternity units, with healthcare workers unable to identify common complications or manage emergencies effectively, and junior staff being left in charge too often. The report comes as campaigners warn that maternity services are in their worst state for 40 years. The Association for Improvements in the Maternity Services have sent a letter to Gordon Brown in which they claim that mothers and babies are being put at risk by an acute shortage of midwives. Last week a report by the Healthcare Commission disclosed that one in four pregnant mothers had been left on their own during labour because of staff shortages. The Cemach researchers will call for counselling to encourage weight loss among overweight or obese women who are trying to conceive. The Telegraph, 3rd December 2007 Read the full story…

Mediterranean diet, exercise are key to long life

The secret to a long life lies in strictly following a Mediterranean diet and taking regular exercise, two major studies have found. Eating plenty of fish, fruit and vegetables can cut the risk of dying early by a fifth, research involving more than 500,000 people shows. Another study found that taking 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week reduces the risk of an early death by more than a quarter. For those who did 20 minutes of vigorous exercise three times a week it was a third. Smokers and the obese still benefit from a Mediterranean diet and regular exercise even if they do not lose weight or quit cigarettes. Ellen Mason, of the British Heart Foundation, said: “This large study adds weight to previous research that being active and eating a Mediterranean- style diet reduces the risk of dying early, including from heart disease. Almost everyone in this study, including those who are obese or smoke, increased their chance of staying alive for longer by staying active and eating healthily.” The Telegraph, 11th December 2007 Read the full story…

Still time to claim your discount in time for Christmas!

You still have enough time to claim your 10% discount on Human Kinetics books and DVDs before Christmas. If you are still racking your brains and trying to think of great Christmas presents to buy your loved ones, then look no further, as Human Kinetics has thousands of fantastic sport and fitness books and much more, with something to suit every sporting enthusiast. DON’T FORGET – If you’re ordering Christmas gifts, the last order date to guarantee delivery in the UK is Tuesday 18th December. However, if you simply want to treat yourself or stock up on resources for your organisation, this discount doe snot expire until 31st December 2007. To claim your 10% discount you MUST quote Mail Code R586 when ordering. We need this to process your discount – you’ll be prompted for the Mail Code at the very top of the shopping cart page. Alternatively, call our order hotline on 0113 255 5665. Visit www.humankinetics.com for great gifts this Christmas…

__________________________________________ ___ All prices in this email are valid until 30/04/08 and include VAT where applicable. Postage & Packing within UK – add £2.75 for first item and 75p per additional item. Rest of Europe – add £4 (6 Euros) for first item and £1.50 (2.25 Euros) for each additional item.

UKPE Newsletter – December 07

Welcome to the December edition of the UKPE newsletter!

It is hard to believe another year has passed by, and what an eventful year it has been in the world of PE. This year we have seen the extremely successful second UK School Games, a new Prime Minster with new goals for PE in schools and we have had the continued crisis of childhood obesity. As well as all of this, Human Kinetics have brought out a number of fantastic new PE resources!

As well as rounding up all the latest news and our new products in this issue, we thought we would bring some extra special Christmas cheer into your lives by offering all of our customers a great 10% discount off all Human Kinetics books and DVDs. Please see below for further details on claiming your discount.

In the UKPE Newsletter this month…
	Teach health education with minimal preparation time MySpace ‘link to child obesity’ Educational bodies refuse boxing Sutcliffe offers schools skills help A look at the kids’ menu Youth Sport Trust unveils major survey Christmas is coming… New website link to afPE

Teach health education with minimal preparation time

The purpose of Health Education Ideas and Activities and the accompanying CD-ROM is to act as a companion to use alongside health education programmes that are already in place. This book provides fresh, cost-effective and multifaceted ways to teach health education at middle and secondary school levels, with each lesson idea and teaching tool ready to use with minimal preparation time. Health Education Ideas and Activities includes 24 units and 139 lesson ideas spanning a variety of health and wellness topics such as resiliency, self- awareness, conflict resolution, self-esteem, yoga and alternative healing. This resource is classroom developed and tested by a physical and health educator with more than 30 years of teaching experience and contains these timesaving features: A handy CD-ROM containing all the reproducibles for quick access Specific, ready-to-use assessments Over 200 handouts and 20 tests A lesson idea finder for quickly locating the content you need Health Education Ideas and Activities provides new and experienced educators with information on all areas of health. The book’s comprehensive and multifaceted approach guarantees this will be one resource teachers will go to time and again. PRICE: £20.50 (30.75 Euros) Read more!

MySpace ‘link to child obesity’

Obesity is on the rise among children because they are being pushed out of the playground and towards a virtual existence of computer games and social networking websites, a minister warned yesterday. Beverley Hughes, the children’s minister, said youngsters are being driven away from outdoor activity by over-protective parents, the risk from increased traffic and inadequate play areas. Speaking at the launch of a report on children’s facilities, produced by the left-wing think tank Demos, Hughes called for local authorities and parents to encourage outdoor play as a way to develop independence, confidence and resilience among children. “Intensely realistic computer games and social networking sites like MySpace are examples of how technology can be a pull factor for children and young people, encouraging them to stay indoors, not just when the weather is bad but pretty much all of the time.” The Telegraph, 16th November 2007 Read the full story…

Educational bodies refuse boxing

Professional boxing in Britain may be riding the crest of a wave, but amateur officials are still battling England’s three GCSE awarding bodies to include the sport on the national curriculum as part of the Physical Education module. At present, the Assessments and Qualifications Alliance, Oxford, Cambridge and RSA Examinations Board and the Edexcel Foundation have refused to recognise amateur boxing as a legitimate sporting activity worthy of assessment at GCSE level. The Edexcel Foundation argue that injuries inflicted in boxing – as opposed to judo which can be a physical module in a PE GCSE – are “intentional” and this is reason enough to exclude this sport from the list of recognised activities. “When asked to produce the evidence to justify this allegation, or to withdraw it and apologise, Edexcel refused to reply,” an official from the amateur boxing world said. “It is a clear case of injustice.” The Telegraph, 16th November 2007

Sutcliffe offers schools skills help

The government is working on a multi-million-pound blueprint to improve standards of coaching in primary schools to help create a new generation of footballers equipped with the skills to qualify for major tournaments. Following England’s Euro 2008 humiliation, the failure to deliver players with the right technical ability has been identified as the underlying problem. Clubs feel that by the time children reach their academies aged seven it is already too late to teach them the necessary skills. Yesterday the two most senior government figures in sport – the secretary of state for culture, James Purnell, and sports minister, Gerry Sutcliffe – visited Fulham’s academy to find out what the government can do to help tackle the problem. Also present to offer advice was the England Under-21 coach, Stuart Pearce. Sutcliffe is due to meet the Football Association’s chief executive, Brian Barwick and he is expected to offer help in return for a more structured approach to coaching in schools. Aid will come in the shape of grant funding from the £100m earmarked for school sports in the summer. “What has come out of our discussions is that we need better coaches in primary schools,” said a government source. “There is no gold standard where coaching at that level is a well-rewarded end in itself rather than just a means to an end.” The Guardian, 27th November 2007 Read the full story…

A look at the kids’ menu

The war on obesity has focused on schoolchildren so far, with celebrity chef Jamie Oliver in command of the healthy school meals campaign. Now, with recent reports indicating that by 2050 half of all children will be obese, the spotlight is beginning to turn on the under-fives. “The earlier the intervention, the better, because it prevents children from becoming overweight,” says Paul Sacher, founder and research director of Mend, a partnership involving Great Ormond Street Hospital and the Institute of Child Health. Mend (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition … Do it!) programmes are aimed at preventing and treating obesity in children aged two to 13. Obesity has trebled since the 1980s. One in five children is overweight and is likely to become an obese adult unless the problem is treated early. Overweight and obese children are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, bowel cancer, high blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes in later life. Funds are available for Sure Start centres to promote healthy lifestyles, says the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). “With the Department of Health, we are funding the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health to pilot training for children’s centre practitioners to work with parents to develop healthy eating habits,” a DCSF spokesman says. But that is not enough for some child health workers. “This is a fire-fighting type of approach; we need preventative programmes for all under-fives,” says Neil Leitch, communications director of the Pre- School Learning Alliance (PLA), an educational charity. “Entitlement should be for everyone working in the under-fives field, not just Sure Start children’s centres.” He would like to include registered childminders, nurseries and other daycare providers in the private, voluntary and independent sector. The Guardian, 27th November 2007 Read the full story…

Youth Sport Trust unveils major survey

Research unveiled by the Youth Sport Trust has found that despite British teenagers often being portrayed as stroppy, overweight, binge-drinking Vicky Pollards, this is not the case for the majority of teens. The survey of over 1,600 young people and adults reveals many teenagers are health conscious, socially aware and more likely to ditch their X-box for X-ercise. The findings mark the start of the Youth Sport Trust’s annual School and Sport Partnerships’ Conference, which will focus on how the teachers, co-ordinators and coaches can deliver the vision to offer young people all the opportunities available through sport. Culture Secretary James Purnell will open the two-day conference, which will also feature 1,500 delegates and guest speakers including include mountaineer Joe Simpson and Olympians Dame Kelly Holmes, the National School Sport Champion, and Roger Black. Youth Sports Trust, 28th November 2007 Read the full story…

Christmas is coming…

Human Kinetics is pleased to announce a fantastic 10% discount off all books and DVDs until December 31st 2007! If you want to give something useful, practical, educational, interesting and fun to your loved ones this Christmas, or if you need to replenish your school’s PE books for the new term, then look no further, as Human Kinetics has thousands of fantastic books and DVDs, with something to suit every sporting need. DON’T FORGET – If you’re ordering Christmas gifts, the last order date to guarantee delivery in the UK is Tuesday 18th December. To claim your 10% discount you MUST quote Mail Code R586 when ordering. We need this to process your discount – you’ll be prompted for the Mail Code at the very top of the shopping cart page. Alternatively, call our order hotline on 0113 255 5665. Visit the UKPE website to browse our fantastic books and DVDs…

New website link to afPE

We have a new link on our UKPE website. The Association for Physical Education (afPE) is committed to being the UK representative organisation of choice for people and agencies delivering, or supporting the delivery of physical education in schools and in the wider community.To visit the afPE website click here, or to visit our UKPE website links page click here.