The city of Red Deer, Alberta is installing regulation-sized mixed martial arts octagonal cages in its parks to encourage children to exercise. As kids lose interest in conventional sports like hockey and baseball, the initiative hopes to appeal through the popularity of MMA.

"If mixed martial arts is what's getting kids up off the couch, then that's what we need to do. And we found a way for kids to participate in MMA in our public parks," said Red Deer City councilor Daphne Coyle.

But some raise concerns about the danger of allowing kids to participate in MMA combat in public spaces. Detractors claim that octagons in city parks sends the message that the city supports violence.

"No. Absolutely not. I think that's maybe how people used to view mixed martial arts. But this is one of the most watched and celebrated sports of our generation. This is what baseball used to be and what football never quite became," councilor Coyle told This Is That.

She is especially excited about city's program to offer professional instruction to kids through MMA boot camps: "When I see a seven-year-old kid learning how to effectively choke someone out—and they just kind of soften—it's amazing to watch."

To find out more about how Red Deer's new health initiative is helping kids get outdoors and stay healthy, listen to the full interview.