In the SHAPE America magazine Momentum, the newly elected SHAPE America president Dr. Joe Deutsch, passionately outlines the true mission of physical education: fostering physical literacy—the motivation, confidence, and ability to be physically active for life. As he writes, “Our goal is not simply to teach skills or administer fitness tests but to foster a lifelong love of movement.” That’s exactly where Heart Zones Move steps in to bridge vision with action.
What Is Physical Literacy?
Physical literacy isn’t just about running faster or throwing farther. It’s about each student feeling capable and inspired to move in their own way—whether that’s through team sports, hiking, dance, or yoga. According to Dr. Deutsch, “This is where physical education becomes truly transformative.”
This student-centered, inclusive philosophy is the driving force behind Heart Zones Move, a heart rate and activity-step tracking system that supports students in understanding—and owning—their movement journey.
The Role of Heart Zones Move in Modern PE
Heart Zones Move uses wearable technology like the Blink Armband heart rate monitor to track real-time heart rate, steps, and zone data. Combined with the Heart Zones Move App, the system delivers instant feedback that students and teachers can use to monitor and manage effort and progress.
Rather than grading students based on a subjective scale, Heart Zones empowers PE programs to shift toward effort-based assessment. Every student is now graded fairly based on their active participation regardless of fitness level. Here at Heart Zones, we believe that:
“Heart Zones Move creates a personalized movement experience for each student and empowers them to take ownership of their physical well-being.”
Supporting Teachers to Inspire Lifelong Movers
Dr. Deutsch, the new SHAPE America’s president and a longtime teacher and educator, emphasizes the importance of making movement meaningful. Enter Heart Zones Insights - six different modules for assessments, SEL, journaling, content, and more. He writes, “Our job as educators is to guide [students] in discovering what moves them—both physically and emotionally.”
Heart Zones supports teachers through:
- Real-time live class data
- Professional development and certificate programs
- SEL and equity-driven instructional tools
- Standards-aligned lesson plans
With the Heart Zones Move solution, teachers don’t need to be tech experts—they simply need to care about creating engaging, student-centered PE.
Aligning With SHAPE America’s Mission
Dr. Deutsch’s message is clear: physical education should prioritize physical literacy over performance. It should help students find their joy in movement and build the skills and confidence to stay active into adulthood.
That’s exactly the mission Heart Zones Move was built to support.
Together, SHAPE America’s commitment to physical literacy and Heart Zones’ innovative PEtech platform offer schools a blueprint for the future of PE—one that’s inclusive, empowering, and grounded in real student growth.
Let’s Keep Moving—Together
Physical literacy isn’t a destination; it’s a lifelong journey. And with tools like Heart Zones Move and the companion Heart Zones Insights, schools are better equipped than ever to help students stay moving, hopefully, forever.
Build your student's physical literacy with Heart Zones!