About Fitnessgram - A Letter for Parents
Flags: flexpage,
September, 2016
Physical Fitness Testing
Dear Council Rock Parents & Guardians,
This letter is to inform you that the Council Rock School District has adopted the most current practices in fitness testing in the Physical Education community by moving to the Fitnessgram program. Highlighted below are some of the changes that you will notice during your child’s fitness testing experience from elementary school through high school.
|
Fitnessgram |
Presidential Youth Physical Fitness |
|
Student’s scores are assessed by “Healthy Fitness Zone” (HFZ); these figures are research based scores linked to risk for diseases later in life |
Student’s scores are used to determine Presidential & National Awards based on percentiles |
|
Measures personal fitness |
Compares fitness levels to other students |
|
Focus is on health-related
fitness |
Focus is on skill-related fitness |
|
Aligns with the National Physical Education standards |
The chart below lists the recommended tests, however alternate tests may be
administered.
|
Health-Related
|
Recommended Test |
Test Rationale |
|
Aerobic capacity |
PACER (progressive aerobic cardiovascular endurance run) |
Helps students learn pacing |
|
Body composition |
|
High levels of body fatness are associated with increased risk of
coronary heart disease, stroke & diabetes. |
|
Abdominal strength & endurance |
Curl up |
Safer alternative for back & hip flexors, as well as maximizing abdominal strength. |
|
Trunk extensor strength & flexibility |
Trunk lift |
Added test due to the relationship to lower back health, especially proper vertebral alignment. |
|
Upper body strength & endurance |
90 degree push up |
Important for daily living, maintaining functional health and promoting good posture. |
|
Flexibility |
|
The left & right legs are tested separately to determine any asymmetry in hamstring flexibility & hyperextension of both knees is avoided. |
If you have any questions about the information please let me know.
Sincerely,
Liz Potash
Health & Physical Education District Curriculum Coordinator
epotash@crsd.org