Module 4

PE Culminating Project

Module 4: Selecting Physical Activities

Physical Activity Considerations

     If you want to be fit and healthy, you first need to engage in some type of recreational program. It is recommended that young adults get about 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day. When choosing a recreational activity you want to tod, it is important that you use the answers to the following questions:

1. Which components of physical fitness do you need/want to improve?

2. What types of activities do you enjoy doing?

3. What types of activities help you manage your stress?

4. What sport skills do you have?

5. Would you like to participate with others or on your own in these activities?

6. Where are your chosen activities offered?

7. Will you need special equipment or a facility to participate in your activity?

 Other Considerations in Activity Choice

    Health conditions and physical disabilities can limit the different types of activities you can do and how vigorously you can perform in them.

    When participating in recreational activities, it is important to consider if you want to be on a team or not and if you want to be in a competitive environment or not. 

    It is important to take the environment that you are going to be doing your activity into consideration. Temperature, humidity, air pollution, and traffic can all effect your choice.

    You should also take cost into consideration. If there is an activity that you really want to do, but you can't afford to do it, you should pick a different activity. The availability of facilities also effect which activity you are going to pick.

Weather Considerations

    The weather has a huge impact on your safety when participating in a sport.

Hot Weather

    When exercising in hot weather, you can get serious conditions if you aren't careful like Heat Exhaustion, Heat Stroke, and Heat Cramps. To prevent this, make sure to drink plenty of fluids and move to a cooler environment if you feel tired.

Cold Weather

    When exercising in cold weather, you can also get serious conditions if you aren't careful like hypothermia, frostbite, and more. To prevent this, make sure to wear proper warm clothing.

Physical Activity and Caloric Balance

    Calories are burned in two different ways. The first way is your body burns calories to maintain body heat and other necessary body functions. The number of calories burned per day in keeping you body alive is called the basal metabolic rate. If you want to maintain your body weight, you need to eat an equal amount of calories you burned. If you eat more than what you burned, you will gain weight. If you eat fewer calories than you burn, you will lose weight.