Montague Starts Fitnessgram Test
by Angela Kleinhans
May 19, 2008
Montague Pre-K- 8th Grade students are currently participating
in a new state mandated physical activity program called the
Fitnessgram. Senate Bill 530 requires, beginning with this school
year that the Fitnessgram physical fitness assessment be
administered to all students in grades K-12. Fitnessgram is a
health-related fitness assessment developed by The Cooper Institute
for Aerobic Research.
The Fitnessgram is a great assessment for several reasons. One is
it establishes a baseline of a healthy fitness zone (HFZ) from
which students can set goals and check their progress to plan for
lifelong physical activity and to maintain and improve their
fitness level. Health-related fitness assessment measure students’
aerobic capacity, muscular strength/endurance, flexibility and body
composition. The Fitnessgram also provides recommended activity
program options that will help students reach healthy fitness zones
in those areas where they need to improve. The Fitnessgram does not
place an emphasis on skill or sports related fitness such as speed
measured by an individual’s 40 yard dash time. It does not compare
students to other students.
Fitnessgram tests all students regardless of age, gender or
ability. Students are encouraged to be self-aware of health-related
fitness and take responsibility by setting personal fitness goals.
When students focus on the process of doing their personal best, a
more positive lifelong impact is achieved.
Please make sure students wear comfortable clothes and tennis shoes
the week of May 19th. Parents may request a copy of your child’s
physical fitness assessment by contacting Angela Kleinhans. MISD
believes by providing you and your child with this health-related
fitness information, you can help guide your child toward a healthy
lifestyle. A healthy student is better prepared to learn and
perform in all aspects of life.
Q&A
1. Why is fitness testing important to me? The FITNESSGRAM is based
not on athletic ability, but on good health. No matter what your
career path, you will live a happier, more productive life if you
are healthy. FITNESSGRAM provides accurate and reliable information
about physical conditions that can be improved.
2. Can I fail the Fitnessgram test? No. FITNESSGRAM is a tool to
help you determine your fitness needs and guides you in planning a
personalized physical activity program. The test will not affect
your grades in any way.
3. Will my scores be made public? No
4. Will my results by compared to other students? No. FITNESSGRAM
uses Healthy Fitness Zone (HFZ) to determine your overall physical
fitness. HFZs are not based on class averages or any other peer
comparisons. The standards are set specifically for boys and girls
of different ages using the best available research. If your score
falls within the HFZ, it means you have achieved the recommended
level of fitness for your age. If your score falls below the HFZ,
you should engage in activities that will help you improve.
5. What is the FITNESSGRAM test items? There are several to choose.
Montague has chosen the following: 1- The Pacer(15 and 20 meter
shuttle runs) measures aerobic capacity, 2- push-ups measures upper
body muscular strength/endurance, 3-curl-ups measures abdominal
muscular strength/endurance, 4- Back saver sit and reach measures
flexibility, 5- trunk lift measures extensor strength and
flexibility, 6- the body mass index measures body composition.
If you have any questions about this test, please contact Angela
Kleinhans at angela.kleinhans@esc9.net or call 894-2811. You can
also access information at http://www.fitnessgram.net/texas/ .
