BENEFITS AND COST

BENEFITS AND COST

BENEFITS AND COST

Although research has confirmed that many variables can influence citizens to participate in healthy amounts and types of physical activity, many parents, teachers, and administrators remain convinced that the responsibility for such programs in communities rests solely in the hands of the local officials. In this context, like other content areas, the Community has developed content standards to improve community-based Baseball programs for citizens by bringing a Major League Baseball A-League team to an area. While a sound Baseball team managed by qualified community instructors is a critical foundational element of a community-based commitment to promoting physical activity, advocates of such a categorical approach are reminded of the complexity of promoting any health-enhancing behaviour (Cahn, 2004). This paper evaluates the benefits and costs to the local government, local community, and the extended community of bringing a Major League Baseball A-League team to an area.

Research has demonstrated that the ways in which fitness activities are taught and reinforced contribute to citizen attitudes about the value of being active for a lifetime. Since children spend a large percentage of their waking hours at community, it is far more educationally sound to develop a coordinated approach to promoting participation in physical activities such as Baseball. In this way, a formalized Baseball team, planned recess, and short activity periods are supplemented by a range of opportunities for activity throughout the community day. In addition, classroom teachers can also integrate physical activities into cross-curricular instructional approaches. Through such an agenda, many professionals are invested in sending a consistent message about the value of daily physical activity. Including a Baseball team in the area will Reinforce Lifelong Physical Activity;

Long-term participation in activities is increased if activities

Do not require a great deal of mental effort

Are noncompetitive and selected and enjoyed by the citizen

Are believed by citizens to have value in improving health or general welfare

Are believed by citizens to get easier and more meaningful with persistence

Are able to be done alone

As a foundation, researchers have identified the following guidelines for promoting Baseball or any other physical activity in the community setting. However, community members are encouraged to examine ways in which they can collaborate with their Baseball colleagues to extend this agenda beyond the confines of the gymnasium. In specific, professional Baseball players are encouraged to;

Reinforce successful accomplishment and minimize self-criticism.

Reinforce physical skills.

Provide time for activity in the community setting.

Provide opportunities in which activities can be individualized.

Promote participation in activities outside the community environment.

Pay attention to citizen attitudes about the value of a lifetime of activity.

Expose citizens to a variety of activities.

Encourage participation in activities that can endure for a lifetime.

During instruction, focus feedback on the value of regular participation and personal accomplishment, rather than on such products as how fast, how many, or how difficult.

Be an active role model.

With these recommendations in mind, teachers are encouraged to review an emerging body of research that suggests that, if certain conditions are met, physical activity may become positively “addicting,” or a necessary ...