September-Early October: Fitness Testing.
The students in the elementary and middle schools grades participate in fitness testing. Every Elementary school performs the same 5 tests which measures different components of fitness. These are the pacer test, push-ups, curl-ups, trunk lift, and the sit and reach test.
Pacer (progressive aerobic cardiovascular endurance run) test measures each students aerobic capacity. This is a 20 meter test where each student tries to pace themselves to the peep of the CD. On each beep, the runner must make it to the 20 meter mark for the next beep occurs. If they do not, they receive on mistake. On the second mistake, the participants test is over. The CD starts slowly and gets faster after each minute.
Push-ups- this measures the students upper body strength. The student must reach a 90 degree angle by lowering their body to the correct position.
Curl-ups - measure the students abdominal strength. The students must perform the curl-up without the assistance of someone holding their feet.
Trunk lift - this is measuring the strength of the torso.
Sit and reach - This is measuring the students ability to stretch through a range of motion. This is focusing on the flexibility of the hamstrings
Objectives:
1. Understand the importance of aerobic fitness and its contribution towards strengthening the heart, lungs, and muscles.
2. Develop and understanding of the term "Pacing" and how this can enhance a runners performance during the PACER test and other aerobic activities.
3. Describe various activities that are aerobic in nature and be able to describe aerobic vs. anaerobic activities.
4. The students will be able to describe the correct way to perform a push-up, listing the key elements involved in this process.
5. Demonstrate a correct push by keeping their bodies straight, head in-line with their spine, only bending their elbows, and lowering themselves down to a 90 degree angle (using the upper and lower portion of their arms as the fulcrum).
6. The students will be able to measure one another in the trunk lift while using a ruler and recording an accurate result.
7. Each student will describe the importance of flexibility in the hamstrings and hip region and ways they can improve their ROM.
8. Demonstrate the sit and reach test by keeping their leg straight and flat, reaching forward and not ballistically bouncing, and holding their reach for 2-3 seconds.
9. The students will describe ways to improve their fitness tests during school and outside of school.