Fitness Testing

All 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade students participate in fitness testing twice a year (fall & spring). The tests the students will participate in are: bent arm hang, sit and reach, sit-ups, pacer test, and either the half mile run or mile run. 2nd grade students will participate in the half mile run, and the 3rd and 4th graders will participate in the mile run. The pacer test will be conducted 4 times per year during physical education class. The other tests will be completed in the fall and again in the spring. Kindergarten and 1st grade students will complete the half mile run in the fall and spring, and 1st graders will also be introduced to the pacer test throughout 1st grade.

Bent Arm Hang: Tests the students on upper body muscular strength (the ability of the muscles to exert an external force) and upper body muscular endurance (the ability of muscles to exert themselves repeatedly).

Sit and Reach: Tests the students on flexibility (the range of motion available in a joint).

Sit-Ups: Tests the students on core muscular strength (the ability of the muscles to exert an external force) and core muscular endurance (the ability of muscles to exert themselves repeatedly).

Pacer Test: Tests the students on aerobic capacity (the ability to perform large muscle, high intensity exercise for prolonged periods).

Half Mile/Mile Run: Tests the students on aerobic capacity (the ability to perform large muscle, high intensity exercise for prolonged periods).