A bill requiring public elementary and middle schools to make physical activity part of the routine for children won approval from a Senate committee Thursday.

Under the bill, schools would have to include a half hour of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day, or 150 minutes a week, by the 2008-09 school year.

Sen. Alice Forgy Kerr, R-Lexington, said physical activity can be incorporated into a school’s curriculum and can lead to better student achievement.

“Getting the heart pumping helps us learn better,” she said as the Senate Education Committee approved the measure.

Schools would have the flexibility to tailor their physical activity programs.

Sen. Jack Westwood, R-Crescent Springs, expressed some misgivings but voted to advance the bill.

“I’m nervous about the potential that this is going to take away some time from the classroom,” he said.

The proposal follows legislation passed two years ago that put restrictions on the types of food and drinks sold at Kentucky schools to promote healthy eating and curb childhood obesity. It also required elementary schools to have a wellness plan that includes daily physical activity but gave no time requirement.

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