Seniors Project 2014-2015

Innovating
Athletics
For a better future

Iohanna H. Magallanes
SENIORS PROJECT

Table of Contents
High School Research Project ................................................................................................................................................. 3
Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................................ 3
Project Proposal .................................................................................................................................................................. 4
High School Research Project ................................................................................................................................................. 6
Sample Letter of Intent ....................................................................................................................................................... 6

High School Research Project

Introduction
October 9, 2014
118 years ago, after the first Olympic Games held in Athens in 1896, the idea of Tomas Arnold, an educationist and
director of Rugby School, of incorporating sports as a teaching practice in schools in England was successfully employed.
Back then this idea was amazing as students were motivated to do athletics, as they got to have a class twice or more a
week in which they were allowed to have fun as they got healthier. It is important to state that physical education
classes are no longer being attractive to kids nor adolescents and the project Innovating athletics purpose is to change
their idea of a sports class. This topic was chosen do to the importance of physical activities as it makes everything
better. Innovating athletics will profit with students knowledge and those thoughts that cross their mind right after
someone says the word sport by descriptive vs analytical research. The ultimate goal is to develop the way this classes
are given, not by changing teachers or material, but by varying its activities by mixing different classes and having
different plan days every lesson. To know how kids and teens perceive these transformations, surveys will be made to
get results to know what theyll like better: a class similar to what CrossFit trains, without carrying any weights, just
interactive and diverse workouts and activities, or a normal physical education class.
Why are sports abhorred by students? Innovating athletics is concerned by the practices fitness coaches tend to settle,
because while talking and asking, both teens and kids, about their athletics lessons they, generally, answer mostly the
same: I hate sports class, I just cant understand why I have to run all those laps in such a boring way, its all we do; or
We never do anything, but run, though I am surprised that in my entire life I havent seen my sports teacher do any
physical activity. This project will change the schools athletics fame so that it will be another lever for adults to think
about ITJ as their first option in their kids education. I have talked to some adults in my community and they thought it
was a great idea. My mom and some parents of my friends consider that physical training is useless nowadays and that
my concern about my communitys health. Some people I know at fitness clubs around the community have agreed to
consult with me the way I can make this project successful.
This project will challenge me because my objective is to change the way sports are taught in schools, and I know I will
get to do many inquiries, surveys and a lot of research to be able to create a class that teachers like and accept, in which
students will be motivated as they will make fun and interactive physical activities. As a sport lover, I want to inspire
those who are against exercise. With the classes I have taken, Innovating athletic knows what it is needed to cheer up
students so that sports work better and are funnier, because I mean exercise is supposed to be a remove stress, rather
than transfer more. I expect to acquire more knowledge on what types of training does students like to create the best
plan for them and reinforce healthier lives. It is amazing that having such wonderful materials to work with, they are
mostly useless. Innovating athletics will look forward to developing new skills on creating amazing workout structures
specialized in kids, as few are interested in exercising in their free times. The research starts by knowing what a sports
class should be like and why it has not really change over time, therefore I will gather information to question their
interests and create a class that binds different existing classes by researching different activities and their safe use so
that they are done correctly and are appropriate for schools.
Innovating athletics commit to give the best to establish the ideal physical education in schools. It pledges to work as
hard as possible to research and gather all the needed information to make this possible. It will not do or change
anything without the supervisors approval, and when some kind of routine is implied it will make sure it is appropriate

for those that are taking the class. It fully understand the requirements and components of the senior project and that it
must deliver a final solution for todays problems. As I before used to feel more apathetic for training, I know what it
takes and what is necessary to change persons lives.
Iohanna Hernndez Magallanes
Mentors name: Jos Antonio Lpez Bolaos; Mentors area of expertise or specialty: Degree in Marketing, specialty in
Sports Marketing; CrossFit certified L1, Boston, MA, USA; CrossFit certified Movement & Human Mobility

Project Proposal
Name/s: Iohanna Hernndez Magallanes

Grade level: 12

Innovating athletics
Mentors name: Jos Antonio Lpez Bolaos
Mentors area of expertise or specialty: Degree in Marketing, specialty in Sports Marketing; CrossFit certified L1, Boston,
MA, USA; CrossFit certified Movement & Human Mobility
1. Why you feel this is Project worthy:
The purpose of my project is to develop and change the way students look at physical activity. I feel that it is
time for sport classes to be innovated as we have the necessary to do it so that it is enjoyed as it gives superior
results within a high/low social level community.
2. Anticipated Product The sports program Exercise cd.
Sport classes will no longer just focus in students running a quantity of laps around the field, as each class the
teacher will be given a routine in which scholars must or will set a goal to complete as they challenge their
personal skills competing against themselves and the clock. Each class will consist of different exercises, some
harder than others, but never being dangerous for any.
3. Why do you want to do this project?
I want to show that sports classes can be innovated. Starting with 6th grade to propose the program. It is said
that if you dont teach a kid to like or feel attracted to sports since they are young, they wont ever enjoy them.
For the same reason I want to help the school to reinforce health program, but in a different way.
4. What do you want to accomplish?
I want them to actually get to like sports class, to feel as they can do and be better than they were yesterday.
For them to know that it is not only suffering for 45 minutes during sports class. Students will have a healthier
style of life by following the program. I will love to hear them say it was fun at sports, the teacher cheered me
up and I beat the time I had set. I swear there is no best feeling than knowing you are becoming faster or that
you finished your routine before the limit time. If scholars start noticing that physical activities actually release
their school or family stress, they will get to actually enjoy it and sports class will go from running laps to
different fast exercises guided by motivational music and cheering professors.
5. Process (How do you plan to create/achieve your product?)
My plan is to make surveys to get information of what students think when they hear sports class, and some
others to know how they will like it to be. What will motivate them? After I gather the needed information, I
plan to research safety uses of physical activities to make routines with the help of a crossfit coach and
therefore mix physical education exercises, crossfit WODs (routines), music and motivation, and stretching
exercises. I plan to make different routines depending on the students age. I find amazingly important that
teachers that will be supervising the classes get kids and teens motivated as they are somehow cheered. I really
aspire for the approval of music while making exercise, it has been proven that it has amazingly better results on
peoples attitudes and physical development.

6. Challenge (How will this project be a learning stretch for you?)

I think this project will challenge me the most as Ill set the goal of making a class thats like by all or the
majority. Ill start by testing the program with middle school students and getting involved all the Principal
Directors to prove them that we can use new and creative routines so that they dont get the initial idea they
had about the physical education they once had.

Personal Information
Name: Iohanna Hernndez Magallanes
Date of birth: 28.08.1996
Age: 18
Status: single
Gender: female
Nationality: Mexican
E-mail: iohiss@hotmail.com
General profile
Activities// I do Crossfit, I dance Jazz and Hip Hop, I make aerial acrobatics, yoga, jumping, running, and sing.
Education
August 2008-June2012// Middle school at Instituto Thomas Jefferson Campus Guadalajara
August2012-June2015// High school at Instituto Thomas Jefferson Campus Guadalajara
Experience
st

August 2004// Won 1 place in jazz contest, Cicln Azteca Infantil y Juvenil at Guadalajara.
th

August 2005// Won 4 place in jazz contest, Cicln Azteca Infantil y Juvenil at Mexico D.F.
August 2005- August 2006// Participated in the schools play with aerial acrobatics.
March 2007- August 2010// Participated in school plays dancing, acting, singing or in aerial dance performances.
st

March 2013// Won 1 place at UPA, with Instituto Thomas Jefferson, in Hip Hop category.
May 2014 October 2014// I help taking care of how people exercise in Crossfit and Aerial Dance when help is needed every
afternoon from Monday to Friday.
October 2012- October 2014// Have and continue being member of National Honor Society.
October 2012-June 2013// I have made social service at my school by helping students giving Mathematics, English, Chemistry, and
Spanish tutoring.
January 2013- October 2014// I helped almost every Sunday people that live in Chapala, either with food, clothes, toys or just giving
them company.
March 2010- October2014// I have worked at Restaurante Cazadores in Chapala, without getting paid, every Sunday when they need
help.
February 2014// Attended to Chicagos leadership conference by National Honor Society.
Languages
Native, English, French- Medium, Chinese- basic

IT. Skills
Software: Word, Excel, Power Point, Adobe Illustrador, Adobe Photoshop, video editors, Run basic.
References
1. Priscila Chivardi Borboa priscila_abc@hotmail.com Area of expertise: administration
2. Armando Manriquez Camarena armandobagram@hotmail.com Area of expertise: Physical Culture
3. Jos Antonio Lpez Bolaos jal_1385@hotmail.com Area of expertise: Crossfit

High School Research Project

Sample Letter of Intent
November 3, 2014
Jos Antonio Lpez Bolaos
RE: Senior Project
Why are sports not liked by kids? Physical activities are exceptional as they make peoples lives healthier. One of the
only moments a kid is encouraged to do some sports is at school hours, there they are used to attend a class twice a
week in which they should be cheered to complete certain tasks. Even though this classes are not being liked as they are
forced, rather than boost to do the activities. Besides, their classes are based on the same routines which turns to be
tedious and boring. I choose this topic because in my life physical activities are vital as they make everything better. I
aim to have knowledge of students thoughts when someone simply says the word sport by quantitative research with
surveys. My goal is to develop the way this classes are given, not by changing teachers or material, but by varying its
activities by mixing different classes and having different plan days every lesson. To know how kids and teens perceive
this I will make out surveys to get results to know if theyll like better a class similar to what Crossfit teaches, without
carrying any weights, just interactive and diverse workouts and activities.
I know this project will challenge me because my objective is to change the way sports are taught in schools, and later
probably in different places. I know I will get to apply a lot of surveys and do many research to be able to create a class
that teachers like and accept, one in which students will be motivated as they will make fun and interactive physical
activities. As a sport lover, I want to inspire those who feel apathetic for exercise. With the classes I have taken, I know
what it is needed to cheer up students so that sports work better and are funnier to practice. Exercise is supposed to be
a removal for stress and depression and it shouldnt transfer more. I expect to acquire more knowledge on what types of
training does students like to create the best plan for them and reinforce healthier lives. I find it amazing that having
such wonderful materials to work with, they are mostly dull. I will look forward to developing new skills on creating
amazing workout structures specialized in kids, as few are interested in exercising in their free times. As my dream
career is Hotel and Tourism Management I aim to imply activities such as this one in the different markets that are
offered by the field. I love working with people, which is why I find it favorable as I think I will take advantage of it.
Obesity is a risk for society because it is increasing amazingly every day. My research starts by knowing what a sports
class should be like and why it has not really changed over time, therefore I will gather information to question students
interests and create a class that binds different existing classes by researching various activities and their safe use so
that they are done correctly and are appropriate for schools.
I am concerned with the practices fitness coaches tend to settle as I have had the opportunity of talking and asking,
both teens and kids, about their athletics lessons and each of them, generally, answer mostly the same: I hate sports
class, I just cant understand why I have to run all those laps in such a boring way, its all we do; or We never do
anything, but run, though I am surprised that in my entire life I havent seen my sports teacher do any physical activity.
This is sad and should be solved. Sports mean healthier lives, it is crucial that they take care of their appearance as it
damages everything.

Iohanna Hernndez Magallanes

Methodology
1. Definition
Descriptive vs Analytical research
Descriptive research comprises surveys and fact-finding enquiries of different types. The main objective of
descriptive research is describing the state of affairs as it prevails at the time of study. The term ex post facto
research is quite often used for descriptive research studies in social sciences and business research. The most
distinguishing feature of this method is that the researches has no control over the variables here. He/she has
to only report what is happening or what has happened. Majority of the ex post facto research projects are
used for descriptive studies in which the researcher attempts to examine phenomena, such as the consumers
preferences, frequency of purchases, shopping, etc. Despite the inability of the researchers to control the
variables, ex post facto studies may also comprise attempts by them to discover the causes of the selected
problem. The methods of research adopted in conducting descriptive research are survey methods of all kinds,
including correlational and comparative methods. Meanwhile in the analytical research, the researcher has to
use the already available facts or information, and analyses them to make a critical evaluation of the subject. 1

2. My projects Methodology
The methodology of my project is Descriptive vs Analytical as it needs surveys and fact-finding enquiries to get
to know the causes of my selected problem. Therefore, I will get to know the preferences of a sports class for
6th grade students, to solve the problem.

References:
1-

Internet archive (2014) Research Methodology. Internet Archive. Retrieved

(http://archive.org/stream/ResearchMethodology/6.researchMethodology_djvu.txt )

Health
1. Mental issues
1.1-

Depression

Innovating sports is concerned on how the lack of sports is not only damaging peoples physical appearance as
it is also ruining their lives. It has been proven that when somebodys life lack physical activity their mental
issues tend to be higher. Studies have shown that sports release cells that cause brain pleasure giving people
positive stimulus in their daily life. For the same reason psychologists and doctors have concluded that
exercise is effective in the treatment for mental issues.
People that suffer depression or any other issue such as anxiety only exercise, on average, about half as much
as those who live with no mental illness. The lack of movement in their cardiovascular fitness increases the
depressed victim to have a risk of heart attack. Lately, experts have agreed that their therapies should be
based not only in medication but also incorporating physical activities in their daily lives. Obesity could be
inflicted by the lack of physical activity, which will increase mental issues as the social life of a person that
experiences it might be affected. They sometimes could feel abandoned by their friends and isolated from
love. This is because a healthy person desires to share their life with another that cares for themselves.
There are plenty of benefits of exercise and they are not only helpful for a persons appearance but also their
emotional life. People with mental illness tend to experience low self-esteem, by exercising they will
experience an increase in their self-esteem because they will recover their own image. Besides, people with
depression or any other disease tend to hide from people, and some sports increase their social life as they
are constantly active with other people. Physical activities delete stress giving the mind a more relaxed life.
Which means that exercising is life changing and when someone is apathetic by it, their life leads to be worst
increasing mental illness. This is why Innovating sports wants to make it likeable by kids.
References:
Chalder; M. (06 June 2012) Facilitated physical activity as a treatment for depressed adults: randomized
controlled trial. Thebmj.com (http://www.bmj.com/content/344/bmj.e2758 )

Beyondblue

(July

2012)

Depression

and

exercise.

Better

Health

Channel.

(http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Depression_and_exercise )

2. Diseases
2.1-

Obesity/weight gain

Innovating sports is also concerned with other issue, one that grows daily throughout the world and that has
boost amazingly at Mexico. Why has obesity become an unsolvable problem? For many years nutritionists and
experts have tried to cut out this dilemma, notwithstanding it has not yet been solved. So, whats going on? It
is important to know that weight irregularity is increasing rapidly and earlier in childrens lives, making that a
reason why probabilities of shortening the problem when a person is teen or adult are almost vain. This is why
it is necessary that Innovating sports is implemented so that kids are better educated at younger ages so that
they are passionate for sports and know how to eat healthier for their lives to be long lasting and healthier.
Many might think that weight gain is only an issue that affects somebodys physical appearance, even though
theyre wrong as it covers a wide range of complications to those who suffer it. As mentioned the chapter
before, they undergo social and emotional problems, besides health and physical issues. Worldwide lately
many deaths are caused by inactivity as people get specially four diseases: heart attacks, breast cancer, colon
cancer, and diabetes.
Studies have proven that if people get used to exercise in their daily routine 533,000 deaths could be avoided
and 1.3 million deaths could be averted. Besides by examinations doctors have gotten results finding that
obesity is increasing because of inactivity rather than because of the number of calories society is consuming.
Innovating sports is really concerned for the reason that percentages of only women reported with no physical
activities raised from 19% at 1988, to 52% until 2010, and for men it went from 11% to 43% over the same
period according to Becky Bach from Standford Medicine News Center. Diseases for this issue are complex and

caused by a lot of factors, but by showing people how to feel attracted to sports so that those issues are
reduced.
Park; Alice (July 18, 2012) Lack of Exercise as deadly as smoking, study finds. Time. Retrieved
(http://healthland.time.com/2012/07/18/lack-of-exercise-as-deadly-as-smoking-study-finds/ )
3. Inner problems
3.1-

Less life

Innovating sports is disquiet for the lack of physical activity among children, teens and adults globally. This
issue causes as many as 1 in 10 premature deaths around the world each year- roughly as many as smoking
(PARK, 2012). The problem starts at really young ages because they are not being accustomed to liking
exercise, on the contrary they are making children hate sports. That is why Innovating sports aims to increase
their lifetime and have a healthier life.
Many havent yet believed that those who exercise are less likely to die prematurely than the ones who dont
make any physical activity. Poor physical fitness is linked to a higher death from all possible causes. When
somebody doesnt exercise they have higher risks to any long or short-term emotional and physical problem
that causes early death. Besides it has been proven that those who are seated for longer periods of time live
approximately 2 or 3 years less.
Not doing exercise atrophies the brain, the body, and its muscles, among many other things. When a person
doesnt make any physical activities they might get the following diseases that cause less life:
Fibromyalgia which is a disease that generates chronic pain in joints and muscles; metabolic diseases by the
lack of movement that cause abnormal lipid and triglycerides levels, as well as increases in bad cholesterol or
chronic fatigue syndrome; coronary disease in which there are high risks of suffering cardiovascular diseases.
Heart health is affected when somebody passes over more than 6 hours seated per day, as the blood

circulation and the blood pressure is affected, boosting heart attacks, thrombosis and the formation of arterial
clots; cancer caused by obesity that might end in prostate, colon, breast, pancreas cancer, to mention few.
References:
Redaccin 2 in Calidad de vida, Revista (March 23, 2014) Venezuela al da. Retrieved
(http://www.venezuelaaldia.com/2014/03/7-enfermedades-derivadas-del-sedentarismo/ )
Rimmer; James (2014). Sedentary lifestyle is dangerous to your health. NCHPAD Building healthy inclusive
communities. Retrieved
(http://www.nchpad.org/403/2216/Sedentary~Lifestyle~is~Dangerous~to~Your~Health )