The Change through Fun video depicted seemed to illicit a behavior changes and prompted people to take the “Piano Stairs” as opposed to using the escalators.
Eliciting Change Through Fun Professor Phil Ross, M.S., CPT The Change through Fun video depicted seemed to illicit a behavior changes and prompted people to take the “Piano Stairs” as opposed to using the escalators. This initiative was an effort to increase people’s NEAT (non-exercise activity thermogenesis) levels, thus increasing caloric expenditure. Many people resist proven fitness programs because the programs may be considered too difficult and have a “dread factor”. A vast majority of people would rather have fun while training and not have their fitness viewed as another task that needs to be done. Anything that a trainer, instructor or coordinator can do to make course or fitness regimen fun and interesting will increase the level of commitment from the participants. Fun is not a necessary component for change, but the element of fun does make change easier. People seek change for many reasons; avoiding of a life-threatening condition, elevated sports performance, increase in pay or academic achievement. Unless people realize the need for change, change will not occur (Anshell, 2014). So, fun is not necessary for change but it can ease the burden and make adherence to a protocol more palatable. One of the programs at our martial arts school is geared toward children ages 3 to 5. I don’t know how many of you have worked with a group in this age bracket, but the class can quickly be relegated to “herding cats”. There was no way to effectively instruct this group of children and have them progress without keeping their attention and adding fun to the classes. We needed to develop a method to keep the class together and have them learn their techniques while developing their muscles and coordination. The element of fun becomes quite an important component to realizing success in this undertaking. There were several items of presenting the material and getting the “buy-in” as well as keeping the attention of this group. We employ a series of races in the beginning of class named after animals so that the children are developing plyometric strength, balance and coordination as they are performing the movements of animals. We have them do Frog Hops, Kangaroo Bounds, Bear Crawls, Crab Walks, One Legged Stork Hops, etc...We also play the “Crazy Ninja” game as they learn how to block and punch. These are just a few of the methods employed to make learning and exercise fun and prompting the change in behavior, adoption of martial arts and listening skills. The children want to attend class because they are having fun and the parents like to see their children listing, paying attention and gaining an appreciation for exercise. Reference: Anshel, M.H. (2014). Applied Health Fitness Psychology. Retrieved on 17 Dec 2018 from http://ebooks.apus.edu.ezproxy2.apus.edu/SPHS540/Anshel_2014_Ch2.pdf
