PEOPLE

The Southeast Missourian asked students at Franklin Elementary School how exercise is important to them.

Angela McFerren: "Exercise keeps your heart healthy and me healthy too. I could live longer because I exercise, and it's fun too. I do push-ups, stretches, and aerobics. Sometimes I do it with my mom. She encourages me. Exercise really helps you in the long run."

Dustin Masterson: "Exercise helps me to get strong. I do jumping jacks and run around the neighborhood. I also take my dog on walks. I play football and basketball a lot with some of my friends. We have to run some laps, jog and do push-ups to loosen up and get in shape."

Mickey Brenner: "You can get more exercise at home than you can at school. I run around the house a lot and jump a lot. If I sit down too long, I get restless because I always like to exercise. Sometimes I run around the school. I run with my dog a lot. She's faster than I am."

Lorie Bittle: "Exercise is fun and you need it to stay healthy. Sometimes after I have eaten a lot of snacks, I feel like I need to go out and exercise. I play soccer, basketball and tennis with my neighbor. Sometimes we do cartwheels and some gymnastics. It's keeps your heart pumping."

Allison Smith: "Exercise gets you ready for a game so your legs will feel better to participate. I ride bikes with my dad. We do some exercises before we ride to get us ready. We'll do some jumping jacks and touch our toes. It gets us warmed up. I also like to jump rope."

Andrew Bettag: "I want to prepare to play basketball when I'm older, so I lift weights and exercise in the gym and at home. I practice with my basketball and play on a church basketball team. It strengthens my muscles and helps improve my thinking. I feels good to be in good shape."