Health center pumps up pupils' school workout Dance Dance Revolution also has students moving & thinking about fitness BY AMY ROSEN Staff Writer PHOTOS BY AMY ROSEN Eighth-grader Dan Mahoney demonstrates the use of a leg press, which is one of the pieces of equipment that can be found in the health center at the Manalapan Englishtown Middle School, Manalapan. Dan said he likes this piece of equipment because it builds strength in his thighs, which helps his soccer skills. MANALAPAN - A combination of fast food diets, video games and a lack of exercise has made childhood obesity a serious and growing health concern in the United States. Health-savvy educators around the nation are trying to stay one step ahead of their students' sedentary habits in an effort to nurture healthy, lifelong choices. The Manalapan Englishtown Middle School (MEMS) is among the innovative schools that are taking steps to keep their student body, and bodies, moving. As part of a facilities expansion of the middle school two years ago, a health center was added to the Department of Physical Education. The equipment included 12 Nautilusmachines, four treadmills, two elliptical trainers and two stationary bicycles. Sierra Savage, an eighth-grader at the Manalapan Englishtown Middle School, works out on the elliptical machine in the school's health center. This year, after health and physical education teacher Louise Byrnes appealed to the MEMS Boosters, the organization bought the school a PlayStation systemand two Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) mats. DDR is an interactive video game that gets players up and dancing in order to score points. "Studies show that DDR can get your heart rate up to 140 beats per minute if you're good at it," Byrnes said. "I'm a proponent of physical education being more about fitness than teams. DDR doesn't involve competition against anyone other than yourself. "It challenges you to do better than you did the previous time. The kids pick new songs and choose different levels of difficulty. All kids can play at all levels. It takes theirminds away fromthe fact that they're actually exercising," she said. HerbArbeitman, the athletic director at MEMS, said studies have shown that increased physical activity helps students do better in school. The youngsters are happier, have better self-esteem, are more confident and have a better work ethic. "The biggest part is that even the traditional non-athletes enjoy exercising on the equipment in the health center,"Arbeitman said. "There is no competition in the individualmachines so it provides physical success and improvement. "Everyone can use the equipment. We have a student with cerebral palsy who goes on the treadmill with the assistance of her aide. She does everything that everyone else does in the health center." An article that appeared in The New York Times on April 30, 2007, written by Seth Schiesel, stated, "In a study last year (2006), researchers fromtheMayo Clinic in Rochester,Minn., found that children playing Dance Dance Revolution expended significantly more energy than children watching television and playing traditional video games." According to MEMS physical education instructor Michael Cincotta, all of the students who use the health center are thoroughly instructed in the standards and guidelines to safely use the equipment. "They know their limitations and respect them," Cincotta said. "Using the health center gives thema good foundation for lifetime activities that leads to a healthy future." Dan Mahoney, an eighth-grade student who is also a soccer player, said, "When I use the Nautilus, the resistance helps my thighs and the treadmill builds stamina. It's helped a lot." Olivia Proper, an eighth-grader who says the elliptical equipment is her favorite piece of machinery, said, "I think it's a good program and it gives kids a chance to have experience with this equipment that a lot of kids don't get in other schools. We're very fortunate here in Manalapan." Eighth-grader Sierra Savage said, "I have a treadmill in my house and I go on it more often now." Jeff Lau thinks the health center and the DDR machine is a good idea. He said, "I don't know of any other middle school that has this and DDR. This is what makes MEMS special." In addition to using the health center during regular school hours, MEMS students are encouraged to use the equipment after school from 2-3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. According to Arbeitman, 50 students are currently signed up to use the health center after school. School nurse Roberta Portilla said, "They love it and are more enthused about gym and I think the fitness center is part of it. I noticed that [fewer] kids seem to be trying to get out of gym. Even kids who are not athletic use it and enjoy it. "Kids who have upper body or lower body injuries such as a broken arm or a broken leg can still participate in gym class on the equipment in the health center. Kids who are disabled can use it, too." Portilla said her ultimate goal for the health center is to incorporate a structured program for health that would include a nutritional component as well as exercise. "Such a program could promote a lifetime of good healthy lifestyles," she explained. "It's the dream of every physical education teacher to have such fine facilities," Arbeitman said. "All visiting coaches and athletic directors are impressed that we have such a fine facility here at MEMS."