Spring Pilot Program
Youth in Motion in partnership with CrossFit Kids enrolled fourteen fifth grade students in a ten week fitness and nutrition program. The fitness portion of the program was conducted by CrossFit Kids. CrossFit Kids is the principal strength and conditioning program for many young athletes and the primary PE program for many home and charter schools. CrossFit Kids delivers a fitness that is by design, broad, general, and inclusive. Healthy living requires that our kids push, pull, run, throw, climb, lift, jump, effectively and safely regardless of whether or not they play athletics. The CrossFit Kids program is designed for universal scalability making it the perfect application for any individual regardless of experience. CrossFit Kids is a minimalist program. It is not expensive, often requires little or no equipment therefore can be used across broad socio-economic groups providing an easily accessible resource.
The nutrition and wellness plans were a coordinated effort of development to attempt to give the kids important information in short period of time that they could retain and build on as the program developed. Lessons provided a general knowledge of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, the importance of healthy balanced eating and portion control. Additional lessons focused on the importance of sleep, water and food as fuel. Participants were asked to keep a journal and were assigned tasks to complete between workouts.
The fitness level of the participants was measured at the beginning of the program in a benchmark workout which was then repeated in the fifth week and the final week. Additionally, student, parent and teacher evaluations and interviews were conducted.
The results of the program indicate that if children are engaged in learning about fitness and health in a fun environment they develop a strong attitude of accountability for their choices. With education in nutrition, children quickly understand the food choices they are making and the impact it will have on their health. Additionally, proper fitness instruction and simple movements taught through CrossFit Kids the power to engage in independent fitness activity.