Bonnie's Fitware will be closed September 10 - 25, 2005.

Featured Articles

Heart Monitors: How do I choose?

The goal of any cardio- respiratory workout is to maintain the heart rate in the target range. It is difficult, even for athletes, to count a heart rate that is up to 150 to 160 beats per minute. Heart monitors record heart rate, allowing students to concentrate on their workout while receiving constant updates on their pulse rates.

There are three basic types of heart monitors, depending on the body site where the monitor attaches. The first type attaches to the hand, the second type attaches to the index finger or earlobe, and the third type attaches to the chest. The first and second types—pulse meters—are inexpensive and use small infrared sensors to detect tiny changes that result from the pulsing of the blood through the capillaries. However, head motion and changing light conditions can cause errors in readings, and these devices are uncomfortable and sometimes interfere with movement.

Even though it is more expensive and requires a little more time to adjust, the third type—the actual heart monitor—is the model of choice for both comfort and accuracy. A strap goes around the chest (directly below the chest muscle/breast tissue) and holds the transmitter in place that picks up the ECG signal. The ECG signal is then transmitted to the receiver, which is located in a watch worn on the wrist. The receiver then processes the values by calculating a moving heart rate average for short periods of time (five to 15 seconds). This is updated and displayed as beats per minute. The receiver must be one meter or less from the transmitter in order to pick up the signal. Within the receiver, a timing circuit measures the interval between heartbeats and provides a very accurate measurement for adults and children.

The long-life lithium batteries used in heart monitor receivers will typically last a year or more. Batteries in the chest straps should last three to four years with average use. Be sure to select a heart monitor that allows you to change the batteries, so that you don't have to purchase a new transmiter when the battery dies.

Heart rate monitors are most commonly used to help students monitor their heart rate during aerobic activity to ensure that they stay within their target heart rate zone. However, there are many other uses. For example, students might:
1. Compare heart rates during two activities (e.g., football and jump rope), and write an essay stating which activity is more aerobic and why.
2. Analyze their recovery heart rates (how long it takes to return the heart rate to normal after a workout) in order to determine their fitness level.
3. Compare the heart rates of 10 adults, five of whom exercise and five of whom don’t. Calculate over a one-year period how many more times the non-exercisers’ hearts beat.
4. Analyze their own heart rate printout for the mile run. Look for trends or slopes for evidence of fatigue, number of minutes in the zone, and recovery heart rate. Printout and analysis can then be placed in either a regular portfolio or an electronic portfolio.
5. Participate in an aerobic circuit while maintaining the same heart rate, and write an essay describing the difference between pieces of exercise equipment.
6. Wear a heart rate monitor for 24 hours and then analyze the printout.
7. Monitor a parent’s heart rate for 24 hours and then analyze the printout.
8. Attempt to stay in their heart rate zone without looking at the heart rate receiver watch.
9. Participate in interval training. Run 100 yards and wait for heart rate to drop 40 beats, then run another 100 yards. Repeat the process five times. Compare the number of seconds it took for the heart rate to drop 40 beats.
10. Complete a fitness assessment circuit that includes the following stations: blood pressure, curl ups, body composition measurement, spirometer, timed walk for distance wearing pedometer, back saver sit and reach, peak flow meter, jump rope while wearing heart monitor, heart monitor interface for downloading of data, and push ups. Write an essay describing the current fitness level based on results at each of these stations.

Optional Features

• Coded transmission
• Programmable target zones
• Audio/visual alarms
• Cumulative time in zone
• Monitor ID
• Settings lock
• Uplink
• Infrared downloading
• File storage/number of files
• Total exercise time
• Time spent in target zone
• Time spent above target zone
• Time spent below target zone
• Average heart rate of exercise
• Recovery heart rate
• Average heart rate per lap
• Stopwatch and timers
• Time of day and date
• Water resistant
• Pocket PC/Palm OS Compatibility

Select a heart monitor only those optional features that you really need and will use. There is nothing wrong with the least expensive heart monitor - as long as it has a chest transmitter.

Tips/Tutorials

Excel Tips: Automatic Functions

You can add radio buttons to your spreadsheet that can automate a task for you. Here is how it is done:

1. Add an option button - select toolbars -> forms and click the option button (double circle) tool and then click in the worksheet to place the button.

2. Create the first button - control-blick the button and select Format control from the contextual menu. Click Control tab. Type in the cell reference (i.e., B22) in the cell link field. Choose Checked from value options. Click OK. Type in the name of the button.

3. Create more buttons - all buttons you subsequently create inherit the same formatting as the first. Just select the option button and clickin the worksheet where you want to create a second button. Repeat to create a third button. Name both the second and third buttons. Test the buttons by clicking each in turn (clicking one should deselect the others). The value that shows up in the cell link (i.e., B22) is 1, 2, or 3 and corresponds to the button that is highlighted.

4. Create a formula - select the cell where you want the formula to work. Type in =choose(B22, 15, 18, 21)*g1 and press return. This function says, if the number 1 is in cell B22 (first radio button selected) then multiply g1 by 15. If the second radio button is selected then mulitply g1 by 18. And, if the third button is selected, then multiply g1 by 21.

Web Pages for September

Fitness Information

http://www.fitnesszone.com

Swimming Site

http://www.webswim.com

Money Sites

http://school-fundraisers.com

http://www.newton.mec.edu/bigelow/news_
and_events/pto/ptoFUNDRAISING.htm

http://www.internetnews.com/ec-
news/article.php/79791

http://www.fundingfactory.com

http://www.abcfundraising.com/fundraising/
pta-fundraisers.htm

http://www.freeafterrebate.info

http://www.governmentauctions.org

Fall 2005 Online Courses

October 1, 2005 - December 15, 2005

Sign up:

• Fitness Software
• Record Book Technology
• Web Design and Activities
• Instructional Software
• Technology Devices
• Electronic Portfolios
• Spreadsheets

Each course is $100 plus an additional $50 for college credit if needed. Click on each course for more information. You may register through November 1, 2005.

Devices

DartFish 4

DartFish, the popular video analysis software program used by the major networks during the Olympics has updated their series of programs. The new names are connect, live, prosuite, and teampro.

Features of Each Program

Connect: import video, video management system, basic analysis features, and basic sharing. Connect is video analysis software designed to provide the essential tools to anyone who want to start using digital video. It enables the user to perform in depth analyses, copy and read annotated clips from experts or other users. It provides an easy to use medium to communicate and share expertise.

Live: import video, video management system, instant visual feedback during action, basic analysis features. Live is the solution for those who want to concentrate on instant visual feedback during performance. It integrates video into your teaching/coaching without interrupting the pace of a session. The remote control enables the coach/teacher to control the software with ease and concentrate fully on the training. The real time visual feedback functionality that Dartfish Live provides gives the athlete/pupil a real sense of progress.

Prosuite: import video, video management system, instant visual feedback during action, basic analysis features, advanced analysis features, pro analysis features, basic sharing, and advanced sharing. Prosuite is a very effective and complete video analysis software package, which includes all necessary functionality to analyze technical performance during and after training. As a professional, you will enjoy the benefit of the easy to use communication tools, enabling you to provide detailed video analyses for others to benefit from your expertise.

Teampro: import video, video management system, instant visual feedback during action, basic analysis features, advanced analysis features, pro analysis features, tagging/logging, basic sharing, and advanced sharing. is powerful software used for capturing games/matches and tagging events. Teampro is an ideal high performance solution for all team sports and other sports or activities where tactical analysis provides a leading edge. In addition to tagging, the software has a full range of the most advanced functionalities to communicate and give visual feedback, analyze tactical performance and share video or analysis in the team or on the web.

Real Life Applications

Consolidating Fitness Data Files

Districts have asked about the process for consolidating fitness information from several schools when using Bonnie's Fitware Inc.'s Fitness Report for Palm OS/Pocket PC. Here are the steps:

At the School

Export the records into a plain text file

1. Select the File

2. Export records

3. Select tab delineated and name the file the same name as the school

At the District Office

Import the data into your master Fitness Report For Palm OS/Pocket PC file.

A second option is that the schools print out the summary page and send it or email it to the district office.

Resources

New from VERB

The VERB campaign has a new physical activity kit for use with teens by schools, afterschool programs, and the like: Make It Up Kit.

Are you looking for new ways to keep groups of children in your programs and classes moving throughout the year? Active games are a great way for all kids to join in the fun, regardless of their skill level or athleticism. For new games encourage tweens (ages 9 to 13) to "make it up" using ideas and prizes from VERB's Make It Up Kit. The free kit provides prizes for up to 100 tweens. Use priority code MK05MK when ordering now at http://www.cdc.gov/youthcampaign/
index.htm (click on link in box).

Health Education Web Sites

Allergy Internet Resources

CNN Food and Health

Federal Drug Administration

Heart Info

Stress Information

All orders received during this time period will ship on September 26, 2005. All orders received on or before September 8 will ship on September 9.

Questions and Answers

Q: We are going to hire a grant writer to help us with the next round of PEP grants, what are some qualities we should look for?

A: Look for: a) a good track record, b) experience, c) good organization skills, d) good people skills, e) writes well - good grammar and spelling, f) able to follow a timeline, and g) is really interested in your needs and creating a project to meet your needs as opposed to a company trying to sell you something.