November 6, 2003
State Schools Chief O'Connell Announces 2003
Physical Fitness REsults for California Students
SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today announced results of last spring's physical fitness testing of California's students. This data represents students who were enrolled in grades five, seven, and nine in the spring of 2003, with 1,323,058 students participating. Students must meet the minimum fitness standards for all six areas of the test to be considered fit. Only 25 percent of the students in the three grades tested achieved that goal.
"These results are quite discouraging and show that the fitness level of students in California public schools remains low," said O'Connell. "The small percentage of students meeting minimum requirements for physical fitness is a major concern. Recent studies show there is compelling evidence that links physical fitness with academic achievement. Simply put, students who are physically fit appear to do better in school."
The annual Fitnessgram assessed six major fitness areas, including aerobic capacity (cardiovascular endurance), body composition (percent of body fat), abdominal strength and endurance, trunk strength and flexibility, upper body strength and endurance, and overall flexibility. A number of testing options were provided so that all students, including those with special needs, had the opportunity to participate (see Attachment for testing option descriptions).
Results reported for each grade tested showed little difference between the grades. Twenty-three percent of the students in grade five, 27.1 percent in grade seven, and 24.1 percent in grade nine passed all of the fitness standards.
This is the fourth year for reporting physical fitness test results in California public schools, since the statewide assessment was re-established by Assembly Bill 265. The law requires that school districts administer a physical fitness test, designated by the State Board of Education, to all fifth, seventh, and ninth graders annually.
The designated test used is the Fitnessgram, developed by the Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research. Senate Bill 896 (Statues of 1998) requires the California Department of Education (CDE) to report results to the Governor and Legislature. Every public school in California is required by law to report results of physical fitness testing annually in their school accountability report cards and schools are to provide students with their individual results.
Aerobic capacity has proven to be the most important area of the six fitness areas tested. Unfortunately, it had the poorest showing. A breakdown of results for each fitness area showed that only about half (49 to 59 percent) of the students across the three grades met the minimum standard for aerobic capacity.
Earlier this year O'Connell challenged all California schools to focus on students' nutrition and physical fitness when he introduced the Superintendent's Challenge. The Challenge encourages all schools to improve the health of their students through the development and implementation of policies that promote proper nutrition and regular physical activities.
"Everyone involved in the lives of children, including schools, needs to address these important issues," O'Connell said. "Schools must look for ways to improve their physical education programs and increase physical activity at school; and families also can help by initiating more physical activity and spending less time in front of the television. We all must ensure that students are learning the lifelong skills needed to become and stay healthy."
The 2003 physical fitness results for schools, school districts, counties, and the state are available on the CDE Web site at Physical Fitness Testing (PFT) - Testing. No individual student data is reported on the Internet.
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Attachment
Description of Test
The Fitnessgram was developed by the Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research in Dallas, Texas and endorsed by the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance. The primary goal of the Fitnessgram is to assist students in establishing physical activity as part of their daily lives. Because of this goal, Fitnessgram provides a number of options for each fitness area so that all students, including those with special needs, have the maximum opportunity to participate in the tests. Availability of options is especially important in measurement of body composition, which is the component of physical fitness that tends to concern parents the most. With an additional alternative for body composition measurement, school districts are more comfortable completing the section of the fitness test.
Physical fitness consists of three components: 1) aerobic capacity, 2) body composition, and 3) muscular strength, endurance, and flexibility. To ensure thorough measurement of all three components, the Fitnessgram test is made up of the following six major fitness areas with multiple performance task options for most areas:
Aerobic Capacity
- The Pacer
- One-Mile Walk/Run
- Walk Test
Body Composition
- Skinfold Measurements
- Body Mass Index
Abdominal Strength and Endurance
- Curl-Up
Trunk Extensor Strength and Flexibility
- Trunk Lift
Upper Body Strength and Endurance
- Push-Up
- Modified Pull-Up
- Pull-Up
- Flexed Arm Hang
Flexibility
- Back-Saver Sit and Reach
- Shoulder Stretch
To complete the Fitnessgram, students are required to participate in the following:
- One of the options from aerobic capacity
- One of the options from body composition
- The curl-up test
- The trunk lift test
- One of the options from upper body strength and endurance
- One of the options from flexibility
A brief description of major areas of the Fitnessgram and the performance task options are included here.
Aerobic Capacity
This is perhaps the most important indicator of physical fitness, and it assesses the capacity of the cardiorespiratory system by measuring endurance.
The Pacer (Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run). This is a multistage fitness test set to music, which provides a valid and fun alternative to the customary distance run. It is strongly encouraged for students in kindergarten through third grade, but may be used in all grades. The objective is to run as long as possible back and forth across a 20-meter distance at a specified pace that gets faster each minute.
One-Mile Walk/Run. The objective is to walk and/or run a one-mile distance at the fastest pace possible.
Walk Test. The objective is to walk a one-mile distance as quickly as possible while maintaining a constant walking pace the entire distance. This test is for students who are 13 years and older. The score is calculated using a formula that combines the walk time (in minutes and seconds) and the heart rate taken at the end of the walk.
Body Composition
Body composition results provide an estimate of the percent of a student's weight that is fat compared to the "fat-free" body mass that comes from muscles, bones, and organs.
Skinfold Measurements. Measurements of the thickness of the skinfold on the back of the upper right arm and the inside of the right calf are taken using a device called a skinfold caliper. A formula is used to calculate percent body fat using these measurements.
Body Mass Index. This test provides an indication of a student's weight relative to his or her height. Height and weight measures are inserted into a formula to calculate the body mass index. Although not as accurate an indicator of body composition as the skinfold measurement, school districts and schools find this measurement less of a parent concern than skinfold measurements.
Abdominal Strength and Endurance
Abdominal strength and endurance are important in promoting good posture and correct pelvic alignment. Strength and endurance of the abdominal muscles are important in maintaining low back health.
Curl-Up Test. The objective of this test is to complete as many curl-ups as possible up to a maximum of 75 at a specified pace.
Trunk Extensor Strength and Flexibility
This test is related to low back health and vertebral alignment.
Trunk Lift. The objective of this test is to lift the upper body a maximum of 12 inches off the floor using the muscles of the back and to hold the position long enough to allow for the measurement of the lift distance.
Upper Body Strength and Endurance
This test measures the strength and endurance of the upper body and is important in maintaining functional health and promoting good posture. It is important to have strong muscles that can work forcefully and/or over a period of time.
Push-Up. The objective of this test is to complete as many push-ups as possible at a specified pace.
Modified Pull-Up. The objective of this test is to successfully complete as many modified pull-ups as possible. The Modified Pull-Up is different from a Pull-Up in that a student performs the test by lying on his or her back directly under a bar, and grasping the bar to pull up until the chin reaches a specified level.
Pull-Up. The objective of this test is to correctly complete as many pull-ups as possible.
Flexed Arm Hang. The objective of this test is to hang by the arms with the chin above a bar as long as possible.
Flexibility
This test measures joint flexibility, which is important to functional health.
Back Saver Sit and Reach. The objective of this task is to assess the flexibility of the lower back and posterior thigh. Using a special box with a ruler attached and beginning in a sitting position with one leg extended and the other leg bent, the student extends forward to reach as far as possible on top of the box. After measuring one side, the student switches the position of the legs and reaches again. The distance reached is measured for both sides of the body.
Shoulder Stretch. This is a simple test of upper body flexibility. The student should be able to touch the fingertips together behind the back by reaching over both the right and left shoulder and under the elbow.
