Fit Like a Family: Classroom’s fitness program expands to living rooms and parks

DETROIT – Peggy Rocks, a retired Detroit schoolteacher, is the first to admit that she has problems with her knees and focus from sitting for long periods.

It’s changing that by using an exercise platform designed first to get kids moving in a classroom that has shifted since the pandemic to reach communities across the state.

It is estimated that only 23% of US children get the recommended hour of daily physical activity. InPACT at Home, a fitness program developed by the University of Michigan with state and national partners, has received $1 million in COVID-19 CARES funds and strengthened a partnership with PBS Michigan Learning to broadcast local exercise videos on TV, beginning in January 2021.

InPACT stands for prolonged sitting with activity.

These videos are designed to adapt children to fitness at home. InPACT at Home launched the 20-minute workouts that are at the heart of the program — developed and recorded at home by physical education teachers in Michigan. The videos also included nutrition messages and social emotional learning activities, all of which can be accessed on smartphones, tablets, and computers.

“It makes it easier for me to get more active because I don’t have to pay for it. I put it on my TV or my computer, and then I can just start exercising,” Ruckes said.

Azan and his grandmother, Peggy Rocks, and mother, Janita Rockies, meet in Peggy’s living room to rehearse with InPACT. Image credit: Daryl Marchek, Michigan Photography

Peggy, her daughter Janita Roques, and her grandson, Azan, meet in Peggy’s living room and get moving.

“It’s good because we all gathered around…as a family unit,” Azzan said. “Yes, it is always fun to work out. Sometimes I sweat. But it is a challenge. I love challenges.”

Janita, a social worker, says the family is trying to stay fit during the pandemic and stay on top of their health. And the program helps bring them together in the places where they are most comfortable.

“For me, that means trying to make a huge impact at home on your health rather than relying on going outside,” Janita said. “So instead of just sitting there, it was actually a good tool for us to navigate and influence our lives in a positive way during negative times.”

Appearance to the community

If you tune in to the videos on the PBS Michigan Learning Channel, you’ll learn about Peggy (aka “Mama Peggy”), Jeanetta (“JPOP”), and Azaan (“Cool Azaan”) in those developed by Alanna Price (“Mrs. AP”), a participating program in the Detroit Public Schools community area.

In the videos, Peggy shows a model of how to perform the exercises from a seated position.

“We want everyone to do it together at the same time and give it the best that they can at whatever pace and level they are at,” Price said. “Once you start a physically active lifestyle and eat healthy food, you are more successful in completing it and making it meaningful, while doing so as a whole family.”

Rebecca Husson, assistant professor of kinesiology and director of the Childhood Disparities Research Laboratory, said the partnership with Michigan Education Channel on PBS has expanded access to exercise for all children in the state. Image credit: Daryl Marchek, Michigan Photography

Rebecca Husson, assistant professor of kinesiology and director of the Childhood Difference Research Laboratory, also partnered with Ferndale as part of the fall festival at Ferndale Parks and Recreation. The families came out strong after the football matches and led in some family activities and movements.

“We have been promoting physical activity in the classroom during the pandemic. We have promoted home activity, and now we are expanding it to the community,” Hasson said. “Public Television’s Michigan Learning has been a great opportunity to increase access to physical activity for all children in these times. state, regardless of their internet connection, socioeconomic status, or neighborhood environments.”

Jillian Ginsley, Michigan Education Channel’s program director on PBS, said InPACT fits right in with the statewide resources the channel offers to serve students, educators, and families.

“We felt it was so important to go on TV because we knew that, and it became very clear after the pandemic hit that a third of the kids in Michigan — 500,000 kids — don’t have access to the Internet at home,” said Ginsley.

This is an urban problem. It is also a rural problem. So it’s really a statewide problem where there are students who don’t have access to these materials at home. We’ve already heard about the homework and research gap and the opportunities kids can’t reach. So putting it on broadcast was really crucial.”

Azaan shoots baskets with family friend Alanna Price, a Detroit Public Schools Community District program associate. Image credit: Daryl Marchek, Michigan Photography

Activity and results

Pamela Pogue, vice president of the Michigan State Board of Education, who holds a doctorate in public health from the University of Michigan, reached out to Hson during the pandemic to find ways to expand access to InPACT to schoolchildren across Michigan.

“How can we expect a child to learn if he does not get the physical activity he needs, knowing that physical activity is just as important and closely related to the child’s learning outcomes,” Pugh said. “With our obesity rates here in Michigan, we must have all hands on deck. We must take all avenues to engage children, families, and parents.”

InPACT at Home has evolved and relies heavily on InPACT in the school.

Hasson said parents and students can do InPACT at home together, or children can use it on their own. Long workouts can be split up throughout the day or done in one sweat session.

InPACT at Home partners include the Michigan Department of Education, the Michigan School Health Coordinators Association, the Health and Physical Educators Association (SHAPE Michigan), the Michigan Institute of Public Health, the Association of Michigan Elementary and Middle School Administrators, Playworks Michigan, and Detroit Lions Football Education , former Detroit Beeston Earl of Correton and former Flint Mayor Karen Weaver.

InPACT at Home programming includes exercise videos, fitness logs, and information for parents.

Roary, the mascot of the Detroit Lions, while filming some InPACT workout sessions at the Detroit Public Television Studio. Image credit: Daryl Marchek, Michigan Photography