Today’s classrooms, and their teachers, are under new and challenging pressures.
Meeting the strategic objective of fostering healthy schools will be a challenge when one considers the persistent problems plaguing our schools.
Consider this…
Short burst exercise has a role to play in helping children re-focus and get back on task.
“…4 min of high-intensity physical activity is adequate to decrease off – task behavior”… “results demonstrate that high intensity physical activity is capable of decreasing motor, and to a lesser extent, passive off task behaviour” NRC RESEARCH PRESS, 2014
Exercise is an accessible strategy for strengthening children’s physical and mental health.
“Children who undertake more physical activity (PA) not only have more optimal physical health but also enjoy better mental health” UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI, 2013
Current DPA programs may not be reliably or insightfully addressing daily fitness needs.
“Asking schools to create an environment in which children sustain moderate or greater intensity activity for 20 or more continuous minutes does not reflect children’s typical physical activity patterns;. DPA policy may need to be reviewed to move emphasis away from ‘sustained’ MVPA to the accumulation of shorter bouts of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) as a means of attaining the 20-minute criteria.” CPHA, 2012
… A unique tool is already being implemented in some Canadian schools:
- A tool that promotes exercise as a means to deal with student’s physical and mental well-being.
- A tool that is easily accessible to each and every student facilitating the emerging concept of self regulation.
- A tool that supplements and enhances the already existing DPA program.
The FMI X5 Kids Spin Exercise Bike is a commercial grade exercise bike scaled to the needs of children. It incorporates thoughtful safety features such as a “Free-Wheeling” design which limits the risk of injury caused by pedals which might move too quickly or erratically. The bike is manufactured using durable and long lasting materials making it ideal for pro-longed and constant use in a school environment.
A TOOL FOR …
MAIN FEATURES
- Stable and safe platform
- Long lasting aluminum alloy pedals
- Adjustable wheel tension with brake
- Easy to adjust seat and handlebars
- Comfortable user height – 40” to 63”
- Maximum user weight: 250 lbs.
- Unit Weight: 80 lbs.
- Footprint: 32” L x 21” W (Assembled)
QUESTIONS AND RESPONSES
Q: What are the benefits of a stationary bike over organized class exercise breaks?
All forms of exercise are great. But children do benefit when they have self regulated physical and mental breaks. A stationary bike is a quiet and compact tool for the classroom.
Q: Why not use a conventional (adult) spin bike?
Safety is of the utmost importance. Traditional spin bikes have fixed drive flywheels meaning the pedals continue to spin until the flywheel stops. This becomes a significant liability compounded by adult bikes not properly fitting the user. The X5 bike provides the correct fit, a strong commercial frame, and a free-wheeling design to protect your students.
Q: How do we manage/regulate time on the bike?
The bike should help to bring order, not disorder, to the classroom. The concept of both free-access and structured-access programs have been successfully implemented in various schools across Canada. Teachers will determine the successful option based on your specific classroom needs.
CAN A STATIONARY BIKE REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
“Sometimes I’ll have a student just come in from recess and they go straight to the bike. So I’m not always sure why they are going but I do believe that self-regulation peice is important. They are becoming more aware of what they need.” – Anita Mystiak, Grade 3 Teacher
“Exercise dispersed throughout a student’s day really can help improve their attention, their self-regulation, their ability to self-regulate their emotions, and really decrease anxiety.” – Kendra Gratzfeld, Phys. Therapist, Incl. Learning, EPSB
“I’ve heard from students and parents that their kids are sleeping better at night just from using the bike.” – Melissa Sebastiancelli, FMNI Support Teacher