Fitnessgram Fitness Testing

Explained

Elementary Level4th-5th grade students

Why are we testing fitness?

• State Law started in 2011• All students in grades 1-12 must participate• 4th-5th graders have 5 tests• Testing must occur every year

“Failure is not fatal, but failure to change might be.”

- John Wooden

Why do we need a law?

Childhood obesity is a national crisis, in Georgia…

• 14.8% of kids are overweight• 12.4% of kids are obese• Only 23.7% of kids meet exercise recommendations

• 39.2% of kids watch 3+ hours of TV on school nights!

How does this affect me?

Strong 4 Life

What is Fitnessgram?

• National fitness assessment tool for youth• Health related• 5 different testing activities • “HFZ” & “Criterion Referenced” • Tests all aspects of personal fitness• Provides individual feedback

What tests will I have to do?

Test = Assessment

PACER - aerobic capacity

Curl-ups –

abdominal strength

Push-ups –

upper body strength

Sit and reach – flexibility

Height/weight –

body composition

What is the PACER?

• Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run

• Students run as many laps as possible • Course is 20 meters• Must stay on pace• Pace starts slow, gets faster each minute• Score is total number of laps ran on pace

Curl-ups

• Similar to sit-ups, tests core strength• Curl-ups are done to a cadence • Max score is 75• Promotes good posture• Emphasis on proper technique

Push-ups

• Measures upper body strength and endurance

• Strength/endurance important for daily life• Done to a cadence• Max score is 75• Emphasis is on proper technique

What is the Sit and Reach?

• Measures flexibility in legs, back and core• Flexibility is key to participate in athletics• Reduces sport-related injuries• 12 inches is max score• Emphasis on proper technique

Height and Weight

• Measures body composition• Scores reported by Body Mass Index =

BMI• High levels of body fat inhibit daily

activities• Increased risk of major health concerns• Height and weight taken privately

What is the Healthy-fitness zone?

• Ideal healthy range of scores • Criterion-referenced standards• Evaluates fitness performance• 3 classifications

– HFZ– Needs Improvement – some risk– Needs Improvement – high risk

Why is assessing my fitness important?

• Physical fitness is based on good health• Better fitness = more productive student• Long-term tracking of personal fitness• Recognition of personal fitness needs• Helps set fitness-related goals

Fitnessgram Score Report

• Student score report sent home at end of year

• Report show how student compares to HFZ• Provides suggestions for improvements• Aerobic capacity

– Combines BMI and PACER score– Most important score

Student score report example

FAQ’s

• How do we take the tests?• Will my scores be compared to my friends?• Can I fail the Fitnessgram?• Do my fitness scores affect my PE grade?• Are the fitness tests hard?• How can I prepare for the Fitnessgram?

Additional Information

Fitnessgram Video

Aerobic Capacity

Bibliography

• www.fitnessgram.net• www.healthmpowers.com• www.georgiashape.org• www.strong4life.com