Fitness+Testing

=Fitness Testing=

Fitness Testing is conducted twice a year in Lower School using the FitnessGram fitness testing protocol. It is conducted on 1st - 5th graders and uses a variety of different tests to measure muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexability, and BMI (body mass index). The benefit to the FitnessGram software is that it takes a childs score on a test and compares it to what would be considered healthy for their own height and weight category. It does not compare their score to other children.

The Pacer (Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run) is a multi stage fitness test that progresses in intensity, easy in the begining and gets harder at the end. The progressive nature of the test provides a built in warm up and helps children pace themselves effectively. The objective is to run as long as possible but not to the point of exhaustion.
 * PACER**

Body Mass Index is an indication of the appropriateness of a child's weight relative to height. It is determined by the following formula: Weight (kg)/ Height (2) (m)
 * BMI**

The curl up test provides an assessment of abdominal strength and endurance. The students sit with their hands flat on a mat and follow a cadence telling them when to curl up and down. The students must follow the tape and only go as far as the specified distance. Their hands start at the edge of the tape and slide along the mat when the tape says "up" until they reach the edge of the mat. The students shoulders must come off the mat and they can not use their elbows or anything else to help them up, only their abdominal muscles. The student holds that position until the tape says "down" and they lay all the way back on the mat. This is done until the student does no tcomplete 2 curl ups successfully or until they reach the maximum, 75 curl ups.
 * Curl Ups**

The trunk lift measures trunk extensor strength and flexbility. Students will lie on their stomachs with their hands next to their side and their nose on a coin or other specified spot. The student will then slowly and in a controlled motion lift their body up making sure to keep their eyes focused on the spot. A measurement is then taken from the floor to the students chin with a maximum distance of 12 inches.
 * Trunk Lift**

The shoulder stretch tests upper arm and ahoulder girdle flexability. A student is instructed to raise one arm and reach behind their back. Then take the other arm and reach down behind your back and bend you elbow to see if your fingers can touch. A "yes" is recorded if the fingers can touch and a "no" is recorded if there is a gap between the fingers. The test is then done with the arms in reverse position.
 * Shoulder Stretch**

The flexed arm hang is static test of upper box strength and endurance. The student will grip the bar and positions their body off the floor with their chin above the bar, elbows flexed, and chest close to the bar. A student may not rest thier feet on the wall or anything else around them. Students are instructed to hold this position for as long as possible while their time is being measured.
 * Flexed Arm Hang**