Strategies for Achieving the New SHAPE America Standards and Grade-Level Outcomes: Bringing Obstacle Course Training into Physical Education.

The new SHAPE America standards and grade level outcomes for high-school physical education focus exclusively on physical activities that are suitable for lifelong participation. Some of the fastest-growing physical activities for adults in the United States are non-traditional multi-sport events and obstacle course races. As Healthy People 2020 emphasizes the importance of enhancing aerobic physical activity and muscle-strengthening activities among youth, and ASCD recently launched the new Whole Child Model with a heightened focus on the social and emotional climate in schools, obstacle course training has potential for aligning closely with both of these initiatives while meeting the SHAPE America physical education standards for grades 9-12. This article examines the potential of including obstacle course training in the physical education curriculum to provide youth with relevant physical activity experiences that promote social health and coincide with popular fitness events currently happening in t...