High schools to bring in stretching

Press, 24 October 1989, Page 2

High schools to bring in stretching

By

CLARE BARRY

Shoulder stretches and trunk side flexors will become part of secondary school life after the launch of a series of exercise posters which will be delivered free to al! secondary schools. The Accident Compensation Corporatipn, with the Christchurch College of Education, the Canterbury Institute of Sport and Corporate Health and the Secondary Schools’ Athlete Association, has produced the posters to encourage secondary school pupils to adopt correct stretching exercises as part of their school physical education routine. The project was launched by the Minister in charge of the A.C.C., Dr Cullen, at Christchurch Boys’ High School. Dr Cullen said the Government wanted to extend A.C.C. to cover, sickness as well as accidents,'But to do this the costs of minor accidents had to be controlled. “One way we can prevent some of these accidents and help reduce their consequent cpsts is by ensuring that people .know how to prepare themselws. for exercise.” -•-•■ Wife. The 12 exercises in the posters are designed to prevent softtissue strains and to limprove long-term flexibility and’ posture with regular use. ■ ' ’ • . ; J,he use of the posters would help ~to provide, a' cure rather -then relief, he said. The, posters will also be available to fitness centres and sports clubs.