Fitness

New data shows drop in SC children’s physical health, fitness following pandemic

Published

1 year ago

September 22, 2023

New data shows drop in SC children’s physical health, fitness following pandemic

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCSC) – Data has shown that the COVID-19 pandemic took a major toll on students’ learning and their mental health.

Now, newly released results from a fitness study show the physical health of South Carolina children also took a hit during that time.

Results from the SC FitnessGram, an annual physical fitness test that many students in South Carolina take, show their physical health fell behind during the pandemic.

One Columbia pediatrician said she has seen the proof in her office every day for the last few years.

“More kids dealing with problems with weight gain, more kids dealing with problems of not having access to healthy foods, and kids in general just not being as active as they were before, not getting as much exercise,” Dr. Deborah Greenhouse said.

According to the SC FitnessGram project results from the 2021-2022 school year, the most recent data, two out of five students across the state are now considered overweight or obese.

Data shows heart and lung health declined by 9% compared to the years preceding the pandemic, and more than half of the students tested don’t meet the national standards for cardiorespiratory fitness.

“The fact that this was reflected in reductions in fitness I think really points to how much their physical activity was probably reduced because it probably takes a substantial change in physical activity to reduce a kid’s fitness,” Dr. Russell Pate, a professor of exercise science at the University of South Carolina’s Arnold School of Public Health, said.

Children living in poverty also scored worse on every measure.

“It does point to just how important the school setting is in terms of kids receiving the physical activity that we know they need to develop properly, to be healthy now and in the future,” Pate said.

Both he and Greenhouse said there is likely a multilayered cause of this drop from results in the years prior to the pandemic.

“A perfect storm of kids being out of school, a perfect storm of a lot of kids not having access to healthy foods, not having access to team sports, not having access to physical activity in school, everything on top of each other,” Greenhouse said.

To turn this trend around, she said the state and schools will have to take a multilayered approach to improve kids’ access to physical activity and to healthy foods.

Greenhouse pointed to a bill filed at the State House that would provide free school meals to every student in South Carolina as a great place to start toward the latter goal.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do,” she said. “But if you flip that and you spin it positive, it also shows you just how much of an opportunity we have right now.”

Because these results are from the 2021-2022 school year, Pate notes it is possible that results already have started to turn around.

But they won’t know until they get data next fall from the last school year.

Related Topics:children covid 19 health mental health physical fitness students teens

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Fitness

New exercise pad part of BVL’s 65th Infantry Park ‘fitness hub’

Published

2 hours ago

January 10, 2025

Press Room

New exercise pad part of BVL’s 65th Infantry Park ‘fitness hub’

Body

With a walking and bike trail, kid’s playground and disc golf course, and with Senses Park and a splash pad nearby, the 65th Infantry Park in Buenaventura Lakes is a hotspot for outdoors-y types.

Now that a new exercise pad is now part of the park and open, it can now be considered a fitness hub.

Osceola County Commissioner Viviana Janer, whose District 2 includes BVL and the park, helped cut the ribbon and open the fitness pad on a blustery Wednesday – maybe not the best weather for an outdoor workout,

“If you’re looking to add to a healthier lifestyle without paying for a gym membership, this will be the place for you,” she said. “This is added to the trail and right across from the playground so you can have your little kids here and watch them while you exercise.”

It was a unique vision Janer said she had for the pad, which is the first in Osceola County.

“I had this vision of adding it and I’m so happy to see it come to fruition. Other communities, like in California, have these right in the community,” she said. “Here you can walk the trail, where there’s already some fitness stations, or play disc golf, then come here and get a good workout.”

As for the hardware, there’s sit-up and bench extension, balance balls, steps for working on power and cardio, rings and plyometric apparatuses. Whether you’re working on strength or flexibility, the covered station right off Buenaventura Boulevard will help you get your reps in, and its open design makes it accessible for individuals and families looking to incorporate fitness into their daily routines.

Fitness

HIIT the Clouds Away: Penni Jones on Her Journey with Fitness and Mental Health – The Sun Times News

Published

10 hours ago

January 10, 2025

Press Room

HIIT the Clouds Away: Penni Jones on Her Journey with Fitness and Mental Health – The Sun Times News

Discover how Penni Jones overcame personal challenges and built a thriving fitness community through HIIT training.

Photo: Penni Jones, owner of HIIT Happy. Courtesy of Penni Jones.

Penni Jones, owner of HIIT Happy in Dexter, has an inspiring story that motivates her clients to prioritize their health—both physical and mental. Her journey into fitness didn’t begin with dreams of six-pack abs or competitive weightlifting. Instead, it grew from a deeply personal struggle with depression and a need to reclaim her mental well-being.

From Struggles to Strength

“I went to the gym occasionally, took long walks, practiced yoga,” says Jones. “But forming a routine felt impossible. “

During her childhood, fitness for Penni Jones was focused on weight loss, shaped by societal pressures linking appearance to self-worth. Over time, her aspirations evolved from emulating Kate Moss’s slender frame to admiring the strength of The Terminator’s Sarah Connor.

Despite sporadic gym visits and yoga sessions, she struggled to maintain a routine while balancing college, jobs, and relationships. After having two children, she reached a breaking point, confronting a persistent cloud of depression that deeply impacted her life.

“By 35, I had been on and off antidepressants for 16 years,” Jones recalls. “Depression was not a constant companion, just an annoying ex that would not completely go away. Pills were not strong enough ammo in my battle with post-partum. My body did not feel like my own and neither did my brain. I felt like I was walking underwater.”

How HIIT Became a Lifeline

“I hit the gym, and I hit it hard,” Jones shared, reflecting on her turning point. “As I built my routine, I felt the clouds in my brain dissipate. And if I skipped more than a few days, those clouds would try to creep back in.”

Her fitness routine became a lifeline, helping her establish a sense of control and clarity. Now, as the owner of HIIT Happy, she’s on a mission to share that empowerment with others. Jones emphasizes the importance of making fitness non-negotiable, even when life feels overwhelming.

Why HIIT Training Works for Busy Lives

“I know it’s not easy to stay on track,” she said. “There are a million things begging for attention at all times, and it feels like fitness can wait. But it can’t. For fitness to truly work, it has to be non-negotiable.”

At HIIT Happy, the focus is on high-intensity interval training (HIIT), a workout style Jones describes as both efficient and enjoyable. “I fell in love with HIIT because it is never boring and does not take as much time as traditional workouts,” she said. “Sweat it out for 30 minutes a day, feel awesome, get stronger? Yes, please.”

Mental Health Benefits of Fitness: Penni’s Perspective

HIIT involves alternating between quick bursts of intense exercise and short recovery periods, blending cardio and weight training to maximize results in less time. Jones believes this method isn’t just about physical gains but also about mental clarity and resilience.

“Losing weight and building muscle had never been enough,” she explained. “But shifting my focus to my mental health kept me going back.”

Building a Community Through Fitness

The gym itself is a welcoming space for people of all fitness levels, with classes designed to be engaging and effective. Jones hopes to inspire others to embrace fitness as a vital part of their lives—not just to look better, but to feel better.

“It’s easy to prioritize because it’s short and fun,” she said. “HIIT is a training protocol that involves cardio and weight-training exercises performed in repeated quick bursts with periods of rest between bouts.”

Jones’ journey serves as a reminder that fitness is about more than aesthetics. It’s about finding strength—both inside and out—to face life’s challenges. At HIIT Happy, that philosophy fuels every session, ensuring clients leave not just stronger but also mentally rejuvenated.

HIIT Happy is located at 7043 Dexter Ann Arbor Rd in Dexter. Visit https://www.hiithappydexter.com/ for more information.

Fitness

Starting strong in 2025: How to build a fitness routine that will last – WHYY

Published

18 hours ago

January 9, 2025

Press Room

Starting strong in 2025: How to build a fitness routine that will last – WHYY

Ready to make this year your healthiest yet? Many of us start the new year with fitness goals. We’ll explore the physical and mental benefits of exercise, whether it’s weightlifting, cycling, jogging, or simply adding more movement to your day. We’ve also gathered advice from our listeners in the Greater Delaware Valley on staying motivated, breaking through workout ruts, and the life-changing impact of exercise.

Guests:

Ben Kenyon, veteran NBA performance coach.

Gretchen Reynolds, writer of the “Your Move” column for The Washington Post.