Lesson Plan: Youth and weightlifting

September 15, 2000
Web posted at: 2:06 PM EDT (1806 GMT)

Objectives:

Students will research and develop a weight training program appropriate for an 13-16 year old.

Standards:

National Science Education Standards:

High school students will learn that personal choice concerning fitness and health involves multiple factors. Personal goals, peer and social pressures, ethnic and religious beliefs, and understanding of biological consequences can all influence decisions about health practices. (Life Science)

Benchmarks for Science Literacy:

By the end of high school, students should know that regular exercise is important to maintain a healthy heart/lung system, good muscle tone, and bone strength.

Materials:

CNNfyi.com article, "Weighing the benefits of weightlifting"
Access to Internet and other media resources for research
Drawing materials

Suggested time:

1 class period

Procedures:

1. Ask students the following questions: How do you think you can increase your strength? Is there an ideal amount of time to exercise each week? What are the effects of too much exercise? Too little exercise?

2. Introduce and define weightlifting, bodybuilding, and strength training. If you have students that are involved in these activities, ask them to explain them.

3. Have your students read the CNNfyi.com article, "Weighing the benefits of weightlifting spotlighting Cheryl Haworth and weightlifting. Then ask: Who is Cheryl Haworth? What is Cheryl Haworth's exercise plan? Do you think it is important for teenagers to exercise? What opinions about teenage weight lifting are mentioned in the article? Do you think there is a compromise that could be reached in the debate?

4. Give the students approximately 20-30 minutes to individually research various weight training programs and the effects of those programs.

5. Have a student make two columns on the board, labelling one "Weight Training Programs," and the other "Effects." With the entire class, discuss different weight training programs. Have the student write the information that students have discovered under the appropriate column. As a group, discuss both the potential positive and the negative aspects of a teenager adhering to a weight-training program.

6. Divide the class into groups. Direct each group to develop a weight training program for a person 13-16 years of age. They need to include a narrative of the physical changes that someone who follows this plan for six months will notice.

Assessment:

Have students write persuasive essays either for or against youth weight-training programs. Advise students to give specific examples supporting their position.

Accommodations:

Artistic: Have students draw a 13-16 year old before and after a weight training program. Have the student include a detailed list of the activities that he/she would need to perform to accomplish the final outcome.

Kinesthetic: As a long-term project, allow students to follow an appropriate weight training program for two to three months. This can be created by the physical education teacher or, if the students are involved with an organized gym, by a health instructor at the facility. Direct the students to take beginning and ending body measurements, heart rate, respiration rate, and, if possible, body fat ratio. Ask them to write a brief report or make a presentation about the changes they notice in their overall health after their months of weight training.

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