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TAAG -- not a game: A study to increase activity by adolescent girls.

Article Excerpt
Who says physical education classes can only consist of basketball or volleyball? Several schools across the country are experimenting with everything from cardio-kickboxing to hip-hop aerobics.

The classes are part of a study called TAAG -- Trial of Activity for Adolescent Girls. The study is being funded by the National Institutes of Health for $35 million, and is taking place over six years. Its objective is to prevent or reduce the decline in physical activity levels and cardiopulmonary fitness of middle school girls. One way to do that is to include new activities in traditional physical education classes.

Six universities across the country are launching what is known as TAAG "intervention programs." The universities are: San Diego State, Tulane, Arizona, Maryland, Minnesota, North Carolina-Chapel Hill and South Carolina-Columbia.

TAAG researchers from the universities will work with the girls and phy ed teachers at three nearby middle schools, as well as with community groups in the area. For instance, the researchers could work with the teachers and community groups to help them provide activities that girls are likely to enjoy, and that aren't currently offered within their school, such as aerobics or a running/walking program. TAAG researchers also will provide the girls and teachers with information and materials showing the girls what a fit and active lifestyle is, and how they can plan now to be active well into the future.

Sobering statistics

The statistics showing the need to keep middle school girls (sixth through eighth grade) interested in physical fitness are...