Student Physical Fitness the President\'s Physical Fitness

¶ … Student physical fitness

The President's Physical Fitness test is a national test designed to measure the fitness of America's schoolchildren at basic physical education skills. The ability to complete this test provides an idea of the basic level of fitness of children in a physical education class, and also highlights areas of needed improvement. This test will be incorporated into the curriculum of a physical education class to help improve student fitness as well as assess the students.

The Physical Fitness Test involves five activities: "curl-ups (or partial curl-ups)," a "shuttle run" (sprinting), and "endurance run/walk," "pull-ups (or right angle push-ups or flexed-arm hang)" and a "V-sit reach (or sit and reach)" (Physical fitness test, 2011, President's Challenge.). All of these involve tests of basic fitness skills that are useful in sports and also in functional daily activities.

Regardless of whether the children meet or fall above or below these standards, their results can be used to set fitness benchmarks. For example, before every gym class there can be an 'endurance run' of a specific time length or distance. Children who fall below standard in this area can work on their endurance, while children who met or exceed the standard can work on their speeds. Lifting weights and working on upper body strength can help the students improve upon their pull-up numbers. Children who did not meet the president's standard on the first try should be encouraged to at least exceed their initial number. For some children, simply being able to do one or two pull-ups might be an appropriate goal, while those who are highly adept at these activities can set higher goals.

Sit-ups and v-stretches test core strength and flexibility, and core activities should be incorporated into every gym class, given the importance of a solid back and stomach in preventing injuries as well as the role of core fitness in basic health. In addition to sit-ups and toe-touches, students should work on a variety of crunches, core work, and age-appropriate activities inspired by yoga and Pilates. All of these will improve their ability to perform in these components the President's Physical Fitness Test. Speed, as measured by the shuttle run, will be a factor in virtually all games, and should be incorporated into warm-ups, as well as honed as part of activities such as soccer and basketball.

Three levels of awards are given out for performance on the test. To encourage students to meet all levels of benchmarks, a preliminary test will be given before the actual test is administered, so students have several weeks to prepare for the final test. Because there are different levels of awards, including an award for participating, all students can set reasonable goals for themselves. The variety of what is tested ensures that even if a child does not shine in all areas of the test, he or she may exceed his or her expectations in others. Some children may be strong runners, but still need to work on building strength, and vice versa