Copyright 2001 by Allyn and Bacon Are Children Unfit? National test data does not show a decline Fitness tests have changed mile run, 12 minute run, 600 yard run no body composition data Definitions of fitness have changed Test batteries fail most children

Copyright 2001 by Allyn and Bacon Are Children Unfit? National fitness test data AAHPERD and/or Presidents Council Administered in 1958, 1965, 1975, 1985 Only test items used over the four decades - flexed arm hang and pull-ups No decreases in performance 10 year old girls - 50% passed in 1958 and 53% passed in year old boys - 55% passed in 1958 and 73% passed in 1985

Copyright 2001 by Allyn and Bacon Youth Activity Most active segment of our society (Rowland, 1990); exception is teenagers Youth exercise patterns High volume Short bouts Moderate intensity Children resist high intensity activity

Copyright 2001 by Allyn and Bacon Energy Expenditure Total Daily Energy Expenditure (Adapted from Rowland, T.W. (1990). Exercise and Children’s Health, Human Kinetics.

Copyright 2001 by Allyn and Bacon Adult Activity Adult exercise patterns Low volume Higher intensity exercise Adults have limited time Few adults enjoy high intensity activity False assumption - if children have a different activity pattern they aren’t active

Copyright 2001 by Allyn and Bacon Heredity and Performance Physical performance is affected by a combination of many factors Nutrition and environment Physical activity Maturation Heredity Maturation - age differences of 3 months impact performance scores

Copyright 2001 by Allyn and Bacon Heredity and Performance Genetic predisposition controls up to 30% of performance (Bouchard, 1993) Muscle fiber differences Aerobic capacity Stride length Trainability controls up to 40% of physical performance Rate of improvement during training Rate of response to training Up to 70% of performance is dependent on heredity

Copyright 2001 by Allyn and Bacon Teach: Fitness or Activity When children fail fitness tests, they are labeled as unfit Fitness is controlled genetically; activity is available for all Fitness is comparative; activity is individual and personal Fitness is short term; activity is long term Activity needs to be valued as much as intense exercise Activity can be done by families and friends

Copyright 2001 by Allyn and Bacon Activity Guidelines Every American adult should accumulate 30 minutes or more of moderate-intensity physical activity over the course of most days of the week. Incorporating more activity into the daily routine is an effective way to improve health. Activities that can contribute to the 30-minute total include walking up stairs (instead of taking the elevator), gardening, raking leaves, dancing, and walking part or all of the way to or from work. The recommended 30 minutes of physical activity may also come from planned exercise or recreation such as jogging, playing tennis, swimming, and cycling. One specific way to meet the standard is to walk two miles briskly. The American College of Sports Medicine and the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, in cooperation with the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. July, 1993

Copyright 2001 by Allyn and Bacon New F.I.T. Prescription

Copyright 2001 by Allyn and Bacon Fitness Testing Guidelines If you fitness test… It should be an educational experience It should encourage rather than discourage future activity It should not be an embarrassing experience It should not be used for grading Results belong to children

Copyright 2001 by Allyn and Bacon Fitness Testing Approaches Institutional Testing Evaluates institutional objectives Often mandated Standardized and formal Requires trained testers Tracks stability of student performance Percent of students meeting health- referenced Criterion standards can be reported

Copyright 2001 by Allyn and Bacon Fitness Testing Approaches Personal Best Testing Test protocol followed closely Used to administer fitness awards For students who want to measure their personal best Students choose to participate Administer after school or on weekend Students may drop out at anytime

Copyright 2001 by Allyn and Bacon Fitness Testing Approaches Personal Self-Testing Focus is on process of testing Results are personal and private Test administration is informal Students work individually or with a friend Testing stations are established Students check to see if they have met health-referenced criterion standards

Copyright 2001 by Allyn and Bacon Creating Positive Attitudes Personalize fitness activities Time as workload variable Increased success Exposure to a variety of activities Increases interest Decreases boredom Give feedback Encourage continued participation Reinforce all children

Copyright 2001 by Allyn and Bacon Creating Positive Attitudes Teach physical skills and fitness Skills are used for participation Skill increases competency Be a role model Appearance, attitude, and actions Positive influence Care about attitudes Training does not equate to lifetime fitness Listen carefully to students Turn students on to activity and fitness

Copyright 2001 by Allyn and Bacon Creating Positive Attitudes Start easy and progress slowly Fitness is a journey, not a destination Self-directed workloads Ensure success Use low-intensity activity Developmentally appropriate High-volume-low-intensity