By Josh CohenApril 4, 2016
ORLANDO – Hard work pays off.
That was the underlying message on Monday when students from Rock Lake Elementary School were treated to a Magic FIT Fun Day. Magic players Elfrid Payton and Dewayne Dedmon, Community Ambassadors Nick Anderson and Bo Outlaw, Magic Dancers and STUFF The Magic Mascot surprised the kids at the school’s outdoor basketball court to help show them the importance of fitness and nutrition.
Payton and Dedmon served as coaches for the event’s scrimmage basketball game and then they helped inspire the students with a Q&A afterwards. They emphasized how healthy habits helped them become NBA players and described what they’ve learned about making good food choices since becoming pro athletes.
“They need to be outside playing,” Payton said. “It’s fun for me, this is a way for me to give back.”
“I can tell when I haven’t been eating the right things, I don’t have the same amount of energy,” Payton added. “It’s very important (to eat well).”
“It’s real important for kids to be physically fit,” Dedmon said. “Any time you can give back to the kids, it’s a great opportunity.”
"It’s unbelievable how many events (in the NBA) that promote fitness for kids,” he added when asked what he’s learned about fitness and nutrition since starting his NBA career.
The school was rewarded for its participation in the Magic FIT 8 Week Fitness Challenge program. Rock Lake submitted 261 Magic FIT eight-week fitness challenge forms, 99 percent of the school’s population, to win the Magic FIT Fun Day. Rock Lake was one of 20 schools in the tri-county area (Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties) that participated in the Magic FIT eight-week fitness challenge. As a result of participation in the eight-week challenge, the students completed more than 7.1 million minutes of physical activity collectively.
There is plenty of evidence that shows that good nutrition and regular fitness activity helps children be more successful in the classroom. There is research that suggests that participation in physical activity improves cognitive performance and brain health. There are also statistics that indicate physical activity offered in the classroom may increase attention to task in the classroom setting.
“If they (students) have some type of outlet where they are able to go outside, run, play, it helps brain cells, that’s what research says,” Rock Lake Elementary Principal Robin Broner said.
“They are very excited (to see the Magic and players surprise them at event),” she added.
The Magic FIT eight-week fitness challenge is an incentive-based exercise program for children created by Magic Strength and Conditioning Coach Bill Burgos. The Magic will continue to work with local schools to promote health and wellness with an emphasis on the Magic FIT eight-week fitness challenge.
Magic FIT is the team’s first-ever fitness and nutrition education program for youth. Following the NBA FIT guidelines, the program’s goal is to improve the knowledge of healthy food choices and fitness exercises among at-risk children and families within Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties. NBA FIT is a comprehensive health and wellness platform promoting healthy, active lifestyles for children and adults. The NBA FIT initiative encourages physical activity and healthy living for children and families. Health and wellness is one of the Magic’s community focus areas (the other include hunger, homelessness, literacy/education and diversity).
The Magic tipped off the Magic FIT program in July 2014 with a ‘draft combine’ featuring physical fitness challenges and basketball drills led by Magic players and trainers. The youth also learned about different foods and making good food choices.
The Magic’s commitment to the community remains a large focus for the team. Throughout this season, they have helped refurbish local school basketball courts, donated to countless charities and helped make the holidays, including Thanksgiving and Christmas, more special for thousands of families.