Brad Strand

Tracking Children's Caloric Expenditure in Physical Education

I n recent years, the use of heartrate monitors has become very popular in public school physical education settings. These monitors come in a variety ofvalid and reliable models, and teachers across the U.S. have been developing ways in which they can be used to enhance higherorder learning in physical education (Benham-Deal & Deal, 1995; Hinson, 1994; Strand & Mathesius, 1995; Strand & Reeder, 1993). Motion sensors are used far less frequently in our schools, but they too can have a major impact on physical education. These sensors can be used to estimate caloric expenditure during activity. One recommendation from the Surgeon Generals report on physical activity and health (U.S. Department ofHealth and Human Services, 1996) advises people of all ages to accumulate a minimum of30 minutes ofmoderate-intensity physical activity on most, ifnot all, days ofthe week. Moderate physical activity is that which expends 150 calories per day or 1,000 calories per week. For example, walking briskly or raking leaves for 30 minutes, swimming laps for 20 minutes, washing and waxing a car for 45 to 60 minutes, or pushing a stroller for oneand-a-half miles in 30 minutes all expend 150 calories. This amount of