Monetary Union Essay Research Paper PE 116

Monetary Union Essay, Research Paper

PE 116 Movement Education Kevin Juon Date 4-21-99

The Balance Beam

The word gymnastics came from the Greeks. The Greeks

used this word to describe any type of physical activity.

Exercise was an important part of their education process,

sort of like what is in place today. They used exercise in

order to beautify the body, promote health, comfort,

strength, and vigor. The Romans took the Greeks beliefs on

exercise, and used them in training their military forces.

After the Romans, exercising virtually dropped off the face

of the Earth until Johann Basedow (1723-1790) opened a

school in 1774. Then once again, it became part of

education. Today, hundreds of years after the Greeks, many

people exercise for these same reasons they did.

The Spartans also exercised, and one of the things they

did were balancing activities. This was most likely

important to the Spartans for different reasons, for

example, it would help them during battle to be able to keep

their balance. Schools today also use the balance beam even

though it is not because they want the kids to be prepared

for battle. The balance beam will help the kids acquire the

balance needed in many activities they will perform as kids,

teenagers, and adults.

Many types of gymnastics help balance, but there is no

single activity that requires balance like the balance beam.

The balance beam is able to be used for all different skill

levels because the height of the beam can be adjusted. The

teacher of a class is able to have the kids first try the

exercise trying to stay on a piece of tape that was put on

the floor. Then they could have the kids try it on a

bleacher, it is a higher up, but is also wider than a

regulation balance beam. Finally, once the kids get the

hang of it, they can have them try the exercises on the

balance beam. A direct result of the balance beam use, ?is

the development and good use of the muscles in the feet?

(Quinn 80).

Before using the balance beam, be sure that mats are

placed in the correct areas. The mats should be placed at

both ends of apparatus for mounts and dismounts, they should

be to the sides of the apparatus in case the student should

fall, and covering any parts of the apparatus the student

could fall and get hurt on. When the student is mounting

the beam, they should start off simple. A step on mount

would be a good mount to start with, and then as they get

practice they can try to increase the difficulty. The

student should look up when they are on the balance beam

(they can focus on a fixed object). This will help them

keep their balance. They can also put their hands out in

order to help them keep their balance. The student should

walk toe to heal when on the apparatus, when walking forward

and backward. Speed is definitely not a concern when on the

beam. The student should go at the speed that is

comfortable for them.

One thing that should go hand and hand with the balance

beam is spotting. It is vital that there is a spotter there

at all times even if one thinks they are a professional.

Being alert is the most important thing a spotter should be.

It is also important that the spotter be some what

knowledgeable about where to be and place their hands during

the different skills being performed.

In the movement education class it was shown that a

person is never to old to get on the balance beam. It was

hard for many to do the basic skills on the balance beam.

With as little practice as people had on the balance beam,

one could see the improvements some people in the class had

made. The people that were quite good were able to do some

of the more difficult skills if they would have liked. This

is why I feel that the balance beam is a good teaching

device in the school because of the fact that no matter what

skill level the student is they can do it, and it is fun. I

was not the best at it, or any of the other things we did,

but I had a great time attempting to try things.

In conclusion, it seems to me that the Spartans had to

be thinking when they decided to do balancing activities in

order to help their youths. It must have been a good idea

if we are still doing the same thing today that they did

hundreds of years ago. Finally I believe the balance beam

is a good activity to do in the school as long as all of the

necessary safety precautions are taken.

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