Fitness Testing Info

  • NORTHERN MIDDLE SCHOOL

    F I T N E S S     T E S T I N G

    FIITNESSGRAM TESTING was developed in 1982 by The Cooper Institute in Dallas, Texas. The objective was to increase parental awareness of children's fitness levels by developing an easy way for physical education teachers to report the results of physical fitness assessments.  

    The FITNESSGRAM Assessment
    FITNESSGRAM is a health related physical fitness assessment. Each of the test items was selected to assess important aspects of a student's health related fitness, not skill or agility. Students are compared to health fitness standards, carefully established for each age and gender, that indicate good health.
     
    The FITNESSGRAM assessment includes tests in following three areas of fitness.
     
    Aerobic Capacity 
    • PACER Test:  The Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run is a multistage fitness test adapted from the 20 meter shuttle run test.  The test is progressive; it is easy at the beginning and gets harder each stage.  Set to music, this test is a valid and fun alternative to the customary distance run test for measuring aerobic capacity.  The PACER is recommended for all ages.  The children have a good time while learning have to pace. (Fitnessgram)

    Muscular Strength and Endurance:  

    • Push-Up Test: Students will complete as many pushups as they can at a specified pace without stopping. The purpose of the test is to measure upper body strength. 
    • Curl-up Test: For the curl-up test, the students complete as many curl-ups as they can at a specified pace (maximum 80).  The curl-up has been selected because it does not involve the assistance of the hip flexor muscles and minimizes compression in the spine, when compared to a full sit-up with the feet held.  Strength and endurance of the abdominals are important in promoting good posture and correct pelvic alignment. (Fitnessgram, 1999)

     

    • Pull Up Test: Students will complete as many pull-ups as possible at a reasonable pace. Their chion must reach above an elevated bar each repetition. The purpose of the test is to measure upper body strength. 
    • Flex Arm Hang: Students will keep their chin above an elevated bar for a specified amount of time (see chart below). The purpose of the test is to measure upper body strength and control.
     Flexibility Test:
    • Back-saver / Sit-and-reach The sit and reach measures predominantly the flexibility of the hamstring muscles.  Both the right and left sides of the body are tested separately to discourage hyperextension.  Normal hamstring flexibility allows rotation of the pelvis in forward bending movements and posterior tilting of the pelvis for proper sitting.