Sports Fitness Experimental School

The oldest and longest-running summer fitness camp for youth in the United States, the Sports Fitness Program was founded as the Sports Fitness Experimental School by Dr. Thomas K. Cureton in 1950.

Dr. Cureton, felt that physical education in the United States did little to help youth toward physical development and fitness. In his words, physical education in the public schools was “organized periods of games and play.”

He was passionate about conducting research to provide a scientific foundation for physical activity and conditioning. He founded the Sports Fitness Experimental School to improve the physical fitness of youth (boys only at the beginning) and to provide a venue for graduate research. In order to implement a structured research agenda, Dr. Cureton proposed that programmatic changes would be implemented every four years in order to experiment with different activities, training methods, and procedures.

In its first year, 38 boys aged 9-14 participated, receiving “as much exercise in total hours as would be obtained in six years at the public schools.” They followed a program of swimming, track and field activities, basic gymnastics, and games. Research showed that the boys gained skill in each area, but little progress was made in increasing fitness, especially endurance.

From 1955-1959, an endurance component was added to each of the four activity areas, resulting in measured improvements in cardiovascular health and muscle endurance. In 1960, Dr. Cureton added a concentrated, 30-minute period of endurance-focused exercises. This led to even greater improvements in cardiovascular fitness, muscle endurance, and endurance running.

The fourth and final major phase under Dr. Cureton’s leadership compared four types of training:

1. Steeplechase, consisting of such activities as running, climbing ladders and ropes, and jumping hurdles and ditches
2. Muscular endurance exercises
3. Circuit training (jogging followed by weightlifting)
4. Interval training (walking/running)

Research during this period showed that steeplechase programs produced the best fitness results.

Dr. Cureton stepped down as director of the Sports Fitness Experimental School in 1969 when he retired from the university.

In 1973, girls were admitted to the program and female graduate students were added as instructors. Today, the Sports Fitness Program admits 120 boys and girls between the ages of 7 and 13 every summer. The program continues to focus on developing fitness and an understanding of concepts related to active and healthy behaviors.