Pump It Up - webquest

Why is building muscle and keeping them strong important? First read this article to answer a few prelimary questions.

Tips to Build Your Muscle Mass at Any Age
Women and Physical Activity -The Importance of Strength Training
Effects of Aging

Questions to consider:

• Why is maintaining muscle strength important
• How does aging affect your muscles?
• Why would a person, even one that isn't interested in "buffing" up want to maintain good muscle tone?

Instructions:

Pick a spot on your body, maybe it's a spot you think you could be stronger or more toned - you might consider muscles of your lower legs, or your chest. You will now need to visit a few websites to help you understand the muscles located in this area and exercises to help you increase muscle strength.

Project Goals

• A short introduction on why maintaining muscles strength is important (see articles above)
• A chart that lists four muscles (or groups) and what exercises you would use to strengthen them. See handout
• Create a short demonstration for the class (about a minute) where you describe a single muscle (or group), using anatomical terminology and demonstrate an exercise to strengthen that muscle. For this part, we will not be using real weights, due to safety reasons, but props will be provided, such as mini-dumbbells, yardsticks..etc

Website Resources

Critical Bench (http://www.criticalbench.com/muscular-system.htm )
Sports Fitness Advisor ( http://www.sport-fitness-advisor.com/dumbellexercises.html )
Body Building ( http://bodybuilding.com/fun/anatomy.htm )
Fitstep ( http://www.fitstep.com/Library/Exercises/Exercises.htm )
Global Fitness ( http://www.global-fitness.com/strength/s_musclemap.php )