CHILDREN STEPPED OUT AND THE MAJORITY GOT FITTER

 

 





Stepping Out is organised by the Sates of Guernsey Culture & Leisure Department and Guernsey Sports Commission

MORE than two thirds of the children who took part in this year’s Stepping Out programme showed improved fitness levels over the eight weeks.

635 year five pupils took part in the Praxis Group sponsored Stepping Out initiative which was organised by the Sates of Guernsey Culture & Leisure Department and Guernsey Sports Commission. The scheme, which aims to increase children’s levels of physical activity and promoting healthy lifestyle choices, began in April when each child was bleep tested to determine their initial fitness levels and ended eight weeks later when the children were tested again.

In the intervening period each child was encouraged to get fitter. They were given Praxis pedometers to count the number of steps they took and attended special exercise classes. Participants kept a log of daily physical activity to help record their progress throughout the programme.

Ryan French, Guernsey Sports Commission sports development officer, said that he hoped the children continue to monitor their fitness levels going forward as they had tried really hard and their effort had paid off.‘It was great that the children enjoyed the experience and to see improvements from many of them. I hope the children are now more aware of how much activity they should be doing’ he said.

Praxis trophies were awarded to the children that showed the most commitment to improving their fitness levels.

Praxis Senior Marketing Manager, Elaine Purdy said that the healthy initiative complements the company’s ethos.‘Healthy living is an important element of life, and like anything else, this is a lesson best learnt at an early age. I hope that the children enjoyed themselves and picked up some good tips for staying fit and healthy in the future,’ she said.