Home Baseball Content Why We’re Losing Athleticism

Why We’re Losing Athleticism

Written on April 25, 2014 at 3:56 am, by Eric Cressey

Last year, as the day was wrapping up a training session at Cressey Sports Performance, one of the last remaining clients in the gym took a detour on his way to the exit to leave for the night.  This client, a 39-year-old engineer who'd been training with us for about eight months, strolled over to the power rack.

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Once there, he proceeded to do a quick and effortless muscle up into a pseudo gymnastics routine, all atop the power rack. My jaw pretty much hit the floor. 

Stunned, I asked him, "Where did that come from?"

His response: "It was in our school curriculum. I've been able to do it since I was little."

You see, this client was born in Soviet Union (the region now known as Ukraine), and learning to move like this was an integral lesson in each day of schooling. In spite of the fact that he hadn't done much organized training in recent years - and the fact that he probably sits at a desk too much during the day, this client had maintained some significant movement capabilities.  As I thought back on his training history with us, too, I recalled that he not only crushed his evaluation, but also picked up new movements we introduced incredibly easily.  If you build a foundation, it's there for good.

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Now, compare that to the current model for "athletic development" (if you can even call it that) in the United States.  Fewer and fewer kids have physical education classes in school, and we have earlier and earlier sports specialization taking place. 

Very few American kids are exposed to the rich proprioceptive environments that not only makes them good athletes, but also sets them up for a lifetime of good movement.

In this New York Times article - which is actually several years old - some disturbing statistics were presented:

In its biennial survey of high school students across the nation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in June that nearly half said they had no physical education classes in an average week. In New York City, that number was 20.5 percent, compared with 14.4 percent a decade earlier, according to the C.D.C.

That echoed findings by New York City’s comptroller, in October, of inadequate physical education at each of the elementary schools that auditors visited. Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, found just 20 percent of elementary schools in San Francisco’s system were meeting the state’s requirements: 20 minutes per day.

Most of the focus in this regard has been on implications with respect to childhood obesity, but the truth is that it has likely has just as profound an impact on long-term athletic development, as well as performance in school, as exercise and quality movement have tremendous benefits for brain function.

In the U.S., we are reaping exactly what we sow. We're fatter than ever, have far more injuries (both in competitive athletes and the general population), and aren't the international sports powerhouse we once were.  Our academic performance has also slipped considerably as compared to other countries around the world, and while there are loads of socioeconomic factors that influence this, I think it's safe to say that healthier, active kids are smarter kids. Anecdotally, the typical athletes I've seen on initial evaluations are now considerably less athletic than what I saw in 2006, when I first moved to Boston.  These kids also have more extensive injury histories, and they're on more medications.

Clearly, what we're doing isn't working. It's time to get kids moving, encourage fun and free play, and discourage early specialization. Please spread the word, and do your part.

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57 Responses to “Why We’re Losing Athleticism”

  1. Jerry Shreck Says:

    AMEN!!

  2. Paul Says:

    Preach on, EC! A movement foundation is vital for so many reasons and we’ve lost perspective on the importance of exposing our children to a wide variety of physical activities to stimulate them physically, socially/emotionally, and mentally!

  3. Mike bukowsky Says:

    Eric,
    Love the post and I couldn’t agree more. I am an elementary physical education teacher and I see it every year with my new students… They don’t know how to move !!!! I have gotten away from teaching 4 week spirits blocks and gone back to basics and teach them how to move , decelerate , grows motor , locomototer movements. They need to build a foundation so when they do okay sports their bodies will be ready for the demands. I encourage free play and tell the kids to play and have fun!!! Thank you for your post I just had to respond as it really hits home with my philosophy of teaching .. Thank you !

  4. Mike bukowsky Says:

    And I apologize for all the spelling errors.. Auto correct on the iPad at its finest!!
    Should be 4 week sports skills and gross motor
    Sorry !!

  5. Marcy Dorna Says:

    I couldn’t agree more. This echos the sentiments of John Ratey, MD, in his acclaimed book SPARK. We really need to put “education” back into PE.

  6. Eric Cressey Says:

    Great points, Mike! Keep fighting the good fight!

  7. Eric Cressey Says:

    Thanks, Paul!

  8. Eric Cressey Says:

    Thanks, Marcy. I’ll have to check that book out; haven’t seen it yet.

  9. Greg Justice Says:

    Terrific post Eric, unfortunately the first things dropped from school budgets are physical education and music (arts) programs.

  10. bill Says:

    You hit the nail on the head. this goes much deeper than just inadequate physical education although that is a big tie in. Todays technology and mind set as well as almost a disrespect for proper physical education and creative arts education in schools contributes. Kids of past generations played more sandlot games of all kinds,rode bikes,built forts in nearby woods, etc. that is practically nonexistant today. The political influence does not want to pay for physical education or make it mandatory like it used to be.

  11. Nicoli Says:

    Eric-
    My guess is that if you don’t have a base at an early age, some of that is lost forever. Do you have any thoughts, however, on how to implement a training program for someone who essentially doesn’t have an athletic base? I’ve read your “Smart from the Start” article, but I feel when you are dealing with someone who’s athleticism consists of Call of Duty binge marathons, you need to spend a lot of time just building a base.

    Nicoli

  12. Rich Childs Says:

    Hi Eric, Fantastic stuff. I am a Phys Ed guy and I am currently doing research on long-term athlete development. Years ago this research and information was hard to come by. Nowadays it is readily available. I can’t speak for the US but up here in Canada there has been a swing in philosophy with most national sport associations adopting a long-term athlete development model. The problem…it is so blatantly obvious that it is virtually ignored. It is like the old saying “you can bring a horse to water but you can’t make it drink.” As long as we live in this ‘win at all costs’ environment I highly doubt things will change unless there is a complete culture shift. Accountability and strong leadership from the top down is needed to effect change. Keep up the great work!

  13. Beth Says:

    In college, studying to be an elementary school p.e. teacher, I was lucky to student teach with an experienced Movement P.E. teacher. She learned the method at Chelsea College in England. The lessons were taught by skill themes (locomotor skills, manipulative & non-maniplative skills) and movement concepts (space awareness, effort, and relationships). This leads to developing a variety of skills and range in which to employ the skills. I think it was an awesome way for kids to develop a movement repertoire in their early years, as opposed to teaching by sport skills. It also seemed to give the not-as-athletic kids a chance to enjoy moving.

    In later years, when taking a soccer coaching course with an English coach, he said it was the method he used to teach young kids. I guess that says it can be used outside of the school gym.

    It looks like the text is still available: Children Moving by George Graham, et al.

    Thanks for bringing up the topic, Eric.
    -Beth

  14. anne Says:

    I remember when being a three sport athlete in high school was highly regarded.
    it’s sad that this is not longer the case.

  15. Danny Takacs Says:

    I completely agree with this. However, I don’t think gym class is enough. I remember my high school gym class and some kids are just lazy. They wouldn’t change their clothes or participate. They’d rather take a punishment than workout. So sad.

  16. Kimba Says:

    Great post! Few thoughts. When did we leave the responsibility up to public education to Teach our children how live active lifestyles? my foundation was not learned at school, my fitness foundation was at home.my parents were farmers/ranchers… my fitness was built naturally; bucking hay bales, moving sprinklers, climbing in Barnes, swing across ditch banks, riding dirt bikes on dirt tracks we made. I totally get that not everybody has good fortune of growing up on a farm, but I do believe Everyone has an outside environment. Everyone can walk, ride bikes, Play a park, swing from local park monkey bars etc. as a parent i believe through Example it is our responsibility to teach and encourage “natural” play. it is time for parents to find physical hotties that they love and get their children involved. specialized sports have their place, I believe that when are children have a healthy functionally Fit lifestyle they naturally become better athletes.

  17. Robert Selders Jr. Says:

    EC, you’ve nailed it man! It may just be my demographic, but it seems like young female athletes are adversely impacted at a much higher level. I’m finding that being committed to educating parents and athletes of the need to engage in age appropriate exercise and proper movement programs on a much more frequent and consistent basis and following up to make sure it’s happening helps a ton. Great post!

  18. Anthony Anzalone Says:

    Eric, love the post. It is spot on. Being a Physical Education teacher as well as a Strength Coach, I am seeing more and more kids fumbling over themselves with basic movements. I am literally teaching kids how to start and stop, when I feel like we did not even think twice about it as kids… BECAUSE WE PLAYED ALL DAY EVERYDAY! These kids don’t get out and play anymore. Unfortunally a lot has to do with technology. We just have to keep fighting the up hill battle and overcome! Thanks for the post

  19. Lisa Says:

    Great post! Thanks for writing this!!

    Can’t agree more! I also teach Elementary School Physical Education. Movement, fitness, and play are essential aspects of our teaching philosophy. I second the influence of the book SPARK and the message it relays!

  20. John Says:

    Eric,

    How much of this responsibility falls on the parent(s)? I remember when I wasn’t old enough to play sports or during offseasons, my dad was always playing catch with me or throwing the football. I don’t disagree with the argument that we need PE in schools, but I think it’s not entirely the school systems’ fault if a particular child isn’t athletic.

  21. Brian Gibb Says:

    I think what is really happening in North America is a shrinking of the athletic pool. On one side, people are cash strapped, lack resources,and don’t have access to quality facilities and coaching. On the other side, there is a small but financially well off and educated group that are well informed and pass on what they learn to the kids (like what we learn from you and your colleagues: Robertson, Boyle,Jameison, etc)

    It doesn’t take a lot of time on the Internet to find out about the benefits of late specialization and functional movement. Moreover, for those of us with the means,we can enroll our kids in hockey,soccer, basketball,kick boxing etc. while they are younger, and then seek out, after they reach sixteen, the technical training and the strenth and conditioning expertise to help them excell in the sport of their choice.

    Since my son plays competitive hockey, which I know is a relatively small community, I regularly see teen-age players that for their age are far more athletic than I was at that age and there is no comparison with the atleticism of my father’s generation that drank and smoked during the off season, showing up to training camp to work of the beer bellies they had acquired over the summer. I would venture to say that this also exists in other sporting communities.

    I hate to say it but superior athletic performance is becoming more and more determined by class. Those with access to the resources and the financial means to make use of them are more likely to see their kids excell. If you can’t afford to feed your kids fresh produce, how can you expect them to perform well on the ice, the field, the court, and in school?

  22. Melissa Hinkley Says:

    I completely agree. I’m seeing it in my young athletes like crazy… easily 75% of my young athletes can’t do a handstand. That just baffles my mind and makes my job as a strength coach a little trickier. It’s amazing how building a solid foundation in movement can affect a kids’ athletic career. So the question is: what can we do about it?

  23. brent Says:

    Awesome article

    I’m working towards getting my P.E. cert. I work part time in an elementary school (training on the side) and the curriculum is,no surprise, sports-based. Turns off many students, especialy with the growing diversity of the student population.

    Bowling in P.E.? Chinse yo yo? Month long (at least) units on the major U.S. sports (b-ball, basketball, football) Nothing against those activites, but P.E. teachers just don’t get it and most importantly don’t know how to prioritize novel movement-based activites. I’m the biggest sports jock there is. But having month long units covering all the major sports in the U.S. in PE is a joke.

    My dream is to not only work with the students but teach the teachers how to exercise. I plan on actually conducting ‘classes’ after school to teachers that want to join and teaching them how to move and lift heavy things. It will be an uphill battle (especially if I end up in a public school) but I think being a personal trainer now, as well as already having my foot in the door will give me an edge on getting teachers to buy into what I have to say.

    Should be an interesting career path 🙂

  24. Bruce Coolidge Says:

    Eric couldn’t be more right. Early specialization and lack of daily exercise/movement patterning ARE leading to our downfall as an international athletic and intellectual power. Enough of the nanny-state liberals trying to keep kids from being embarrassed in PE classes. It’s just like them to think we solve a problem by lowering the bar or making everyone give up something because one person doesn’t manage to do it well!! The only way to assure our kids CAN move is to require that they DO move. We had a who.e lot,less issues with ADD/ADHD when I was younger because recess and PE took out some of the extraneous energy and actually increased blood flow to our heads. Athletic specialization not only causes more injuries (overuse) but limits movement patterning and reduces a child’s opportunity to find a sport/activity that is well suited to his/her physique, motor skills and temperament. All those guys who played college sports with us but didn’t take advantage of the education are trying to make a living as club “coaches” because real world work requires the education they left on the table. Sorry for the rant, but Eric is SO on the mark on this one

  25. Tanner Gers Says:

    Eric–
    I have been a subscriber to your newsletter for a while and look forward to each post that you create. I really resonated with this one Though and wanted to thank you for further vocalizing this horrible problem in our country. My wife is a third grade teacher who doubles as her class’s P.E. teacher. I could not agree more with our declining authority in athletics and I don’t find a coincidence in our international declining academic performance either.
    Thanks again for this great post

  26. Donna Says:

    Hi Eric. Thanks for writing this. For years, I’ve argued that the structural nature of work and play has changed and this has materially changed outcomes for the health and fitness of populations. When I argue this, every fitness or training guru I say this to counters with “personal choice! personal choice!” Yes, personal choice is ultimately number one when it comes to outcomes, but if we don’t have the systemic, structural supports that encourage belief and ability, we are lost and personal choice as an adult becomes a series of false choices.

    Thanks so much. Your posts are always so thought provoking.

  27. Bob Says:

    Eric, the statement by Nicoli at #11 is an interesting point. Have you any thoughts on this matter? I am not so sure it is lost forever but may take a great deal of work to overcome. Any good reads on this matter would be much appreciated. Thanks for this awesome article.

  28. Jeff Columbia Says:

    Couldn’t agree more. Really confusing why we don’t value movement and exercise as a general population in this country. I’ve always enjoyed it. PE was my favorite class of the day. Think we emphasize too much the high end performances and forget that movement and sports are activities that can be enjoyed by most all of us.

  29. Steven Head Says:

    Eric,
    Great post. This phenomenon is clearly a threat to national security. Our approach to health, to physical education, (or lack thereof) to athletic development, etc. is seriously flawed. I watched the “fitness boom” take hold in the 70’s, yet look at us, we are fatter, more sedentary than probably at anytime in our history. This nation’s economy is going to crumble under the weight of health care cost, and unless we change the model, is only going to get worse. I’m reminded of the Einstein quote, “The serious problems we face today cannot be solved with the same level of thinking that produced them.”

  30. Seth Oberst, DPT, CSCS Says:

    What a great post Eric. And I think you’re absolutely right. Sensory input of a diverse nature drives motor output and helps develop a adaptive motor skills set. And sport specialization isn’t helping because it reduces sensory and motor variability. Nor does it make better athletes – 80% of Olympic athletes played at least 2 sports in high school. I recently wrote a similar post on the importance of free-play and delaying sport specialization: http://www.sethoberst.com/2/post/2014/04/free-play-kids-and-injury-prevention-stop-early-sport-specialization.html

    Great stuff Eric

    Dr. Seth Oberst, DPT, CSCS

  31. Christine Sjolshagen Says:

    Eric-
    Thank you for a great article. I see lack of body awareness everyday in our adult clients and especially our younger adult clients. It seems to be most apparent in any cross-pattern movements.
    Thank you everyone else for the great comments and additional information.

  32. Michael Anders Says:

    This is absolutely the truth. Despite sinking athletic abilities our cognitive skills are lacking behind in comparison to other countries as well (see TIMS test). The book “Spark” has an interesting article about a school including training every day before school and improved test score due to it. It’s time to get our act together.

  33. Alan mcnally Says:

    Great article Eric. Here in Belfast we see more and more injuries, with specialist surgeons performing routine operations on runners, weight lifters and so on. Injuries are common place now, and accepted, not challenged until it is too late. We need more great and wonderful specialists like yourself to tour the world and explain how to train.

  34. dave w Says:

    Hey Eric,
    I love your posts and sharing info and ideas around the like minded.
    I live in Australia and kids lack of activity is probably not so bad here but not far behind USA.
    It would be fantastic to get a movement/ group that could help spread the word and get the School Education system / policy makers off their buts and put more effort into the activity and diet needs of our youth.
    Check out the Mind Up Program that people are trying to get into schools to benefit kids.
    Similiar with focus on activity and health would be a real challange.
    Cheers davo

  35. Dr. Don Says:

    Greg Justice: You took the words right out of my mouth — PE and music (arts), the two things that can help us build our bodies and our souls. Taxpayers have to understand that these are not frivolous expenditures. Some of us (many, if not most of us, in the old days) were lucky enough to learn those lessons, thanks simply to playing in our neighborhoods and to parents who wisely encouraged us in things good for our bodies and our souls.

  36. Shelby Handran Says:

    Great post Eric. I run a training company in Seattle, WA that hosts several different youth fitness/training options. Your right, athletic capability is declining amongst our youth. We can’t even train our youth teams most of the time because of their coaches promoting year round specialization, so we spend most of our sessions teaching recovery applications (foam rolling, mobility work etc). Pt clinics are filled with 13-17 year olds with secondary/overuse injuries. Let’s take it a step further and challenge the parents and coaches to get educated and take action. It’s difficult or unfair to blame schools when they can’t control funding issues. I am a parent and I love seeing my son climb trees, swim in the lake, and bear crawl across the lawn more than developing his throwing mechanics. Build athleticism, not specialization! Hey, that’s just me though.
    Love your stuff EC, keep it coming!

  37. Jacob Creson Says:

    Eric, thanks for all you do! I’m a high school strength and conditioning coach / offensive line coach in NC. I can only speak for middle school and high school coaches in our area. Lets be real, its not just about what we are doing or not doing its about priorities and TIME. Here is an example: At our middle school we have about 700 kids and two PE teachers. One is close to retirement and does not coach a sport. The other is the AD / Head Football Coach / Head Basketball Coach / Head Baseball Coach /and mows all athletic fields (not to mention has a young family). That guy really doesn’t have the time and maybe the “want to” to implement a program, even if I do all the program design and somehow find some free time he can devote to learning how to implement it. Who could blame him? While looking at how we educate our educators at the college level is probably the answer, it all starts at the top. By top I mean administration, district, state, and national level. Is athletics important to your district? Is physical development and all its benefits a priority to your state? Even though before school and after school programs help (and I implement those) long term development must become the standard for the student and not just the “if you want to be an athlete.” Investments need to be made in specialist such as physical preparation coach where their only job is physical preparation. Not coach two sports and teach “weight training”. You can’t serve two masters. Investing always means money and working it into the budget. There are schools districts out there who do a good job of attacking this issue. Look at coach Mike Scrock at Byrnes High School, SC and Doug Bull at Deer Park high school, TX.

  38. peter Says:

    Eric
    We need to get kids doing gymnastics at early age kids have no co-ordination always using their thumbs i.e xbox,texting etc.i am a physio in the south of ireland see it every day. all my kids have done gymnastics squash tennis football at early age two of them have repersent their country in sport before age of 12
    P.E should be a leaving cert subject in secondary schools
    Parents have huge part to play in this fat parent fat kid.
    Eric love your articles read them all the time you might come to ireland some time

  39. Bob Says:

    “Clearly, what we’re doing isn’t working. It’s time to get kids moving, encourage fun and free play, and discourage early specialization”

    Your article and story regarding your client raises some excellent and thought provoking ideas.

    However, what does a Russian, focused, and very structured environment that produced life long fundamental movement skills in your client have to do with “fun and free play”?

    There is no doubt a lack of physical education being taught in schools, and there is no doubt, general speaking, that the foundation in movement skills has declined in standard as a result. In my view, there is no evidence of free play (and “fun” activities) in any of the old school physical education systems that produced these “better athletes.” However, there certainly is your anecdotal evidence of very structured and adult driven curriculum that led to your client having life long skills.

    I would venture to say that in addition to this structure, the lack of technology in the past led kids to then go and explore free play on their own in a variety of ways, likely putting their structured physical education outcomes to use in their own creative way. But this is my leap.

    You made a massive leap of your own with the last line of your post. I would be interested to hear how you see your story actually relating to fun and free play. Cheers

  40. Donna Armstrong Says:

    Hi Eric

    Agree with you totally. America is seen as the land of opportunities with great facilities but it all comes at a cost which most middle income families cannot afford. We live in the UK at the moment but are from Ohio. My son who is 15 plays baseball for GB here but he still plays rugby, hockey and athletics for his school (no baseball at public schools here unfortunately). My son is studying GCSE PE so is doing 4 hours of practical a week Still though, obesity and lack of athleticism is still a problem here, as playing fields are sold off for development and schools become academies choosing to spend their money else where. Sports facilities here are non-existent for baseball. Here it does come down to commitment by the player (and parents) though to drive themselves to improve, train etc

    Love your articles

  41. Chris Says:

    Yup, agreed. So now what? The problem you present is a political one. This requires funding and tax revenue. I’m all for it but it’s competing with other the wants of other programs like early kindergarten for example. One thing we can all do is stop treating taxes like a metaphysical evil and more like what they are, a mechanism to institutionalize our values and make things happen so we can enjoy a better society.

  42. Mark Haskew Says:

    While PE classes are a small part of the problem, it really starts with what kids do in their off-hours, especially what they do before age 5. If they are actively playing (which I believe is their default setting) tag and other free-form games, they will probably naturally learn agility footwork, etc. I hate to say it but if they haven’t learned how to move by age 5, it is almost a lost cause later.

    Thus, I don’t agree that it will require funding and tax revenue. It is simply about taking away some of the screen time and letting kids play, particularly in unstructured environments, especially at very young ages. But then the question becomes whether parents, when they are both working, can come home exhausted and then devote the energy to overseeing that play. It’s so much easier to turn on the TV and let it babysit the kids. Believe me, I’ve been there!

  43. John Harris @ Shortcut Workouts Says:

    I sure think that it’s not too late to work on a good foundation as I didn’t have these possibilities as a kid.

  44. Matt Says:

    I am a PE instructor in the Middle School/Junior High level population. The main problem we have is the inability of students to move and modify movement for basic locomotor skills. This in turn prevents us to go into higher levels of movements and gameplay. This also effects the high school curriculum as well. My district just re-vamped our curriculum to focus more time on locomotor skills, but we failed to increase the time we see students. In the elementary level kids are only seen by an instructor for 2 – 30 minute sessions per week; hardly enough time to have an effect on the students overall qualities.

    Therefore it falls on the parents at home to model and support healthy movement habits. The percentage of this happening is very small and discourages us in our profession.

    I have 3 children and my wife and I have taken it upon ourselves to counter-act these educational trends by putting our kids into, what I fell are, fundamental programs at our local YMCA. Activities like swimming and gymnastics provide my kids with many of the fundamental movement patterns that will help them later. This is in-addition to the things we promote at home; low screen time, active-open play time and proper nutritional strategies.

    Unfortunately we are not in the majority anymore and it is expensive to have 3 kids involved in many activities, but it’s a sacrifice my wife and I are willing to make.

  45. Kyle Norman Says:

    Thanks for bringing this up. We’re digging ourselves an early grave in this country and there are no easy solutions.

    I’ve thought about perhaps an optional physical fitness component of the SAT and/or ACT. If kids score a certain score then it means money off of college. I think that might motivate mom and dad to get the kids to run around a little bit more.

    I think it has to be optional because otherwise there will be a s*itstorm from those who don’t see the very high value of physical activity.

  46. Pat Marsh Says:

    Some of the most challenging books written on the abuses/injuries of youth sports and the consequences/motivations that go along with them are written by Mark Hyman. I was interviewed in the second book, The Most Expensive Game in Town, as a local SPARQ trainer. Mark wanted to experience being put through the paces of a SPARQ evaluation. I think he missed a good bit of what I was saying being said in a humerous tone but I’d suggest anyone working with young athletes to at least consider looking these books over. http://www.amazon.com/Mark-Hyman/e/B001H6NZ7Q/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1398734907&sr=1-2-ent

  47. Shelley Says:

    I have to agree with those who mention that a lot of the blame is with the parents. Parents have to lead by example. If you aren’t active, your kids likely won’t be either.

    Part of the blame is also with society. One of my friends had a scare when a neighbour left a note threatening to report her to the children’s aid department because she was allowing her school-aged children to play outside unsupervised (these kids were certainly old enough to play outside by themselves). I know a number of parents who have expressed fear of being investigated by the children’s aid after visiting the emergency room to have a “routine” childhood injury treated (i.e. a broken arm from a fall while skating, or stitches from a fall off a bike). When we were kids being taken to the emergency room for stitches or a broken arm due to a fall at the playground wasn’t a big deal and no one accused our parents of abuse. Nowadays it’s not so easy.

  48. Alan Cooksey Says:

    Thanks for the article. I am 57 years old. I remember climbing trees, and poles as a kid. We had monkey bars in school and on the public playgrounds. Those have been taken out because of law suits against the schools, and city.

    I also remember when kids use to dream of getting a bicycle, football, or skate board for Christmas,or a birthday. Now they want video games.

  49. Andy Burns Says:

    Hi Eric, Loved the comment and we are not far behind you guys in the UK with a serious lack of ‘physical literacy’. I coached a load of professional rugby guys for pre season and only half of them could do a forward roll and nearly none of them could do a cartwheel (exception is one guy who had done gymnastics previously). It is a mission of mine to educate local club coaches and PE teachers on the best ways to provide a great base for our children. Nice to see someone on the same page as me.

  50. Scott Says:

    yes, check this guy out from the Ukraine, 81 years old… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QBGtI113Hg


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