Rationale for Physical Fitness Testing

The Presidential Challenge includes five events that measure muscular strength/endurance, cardiorespiratory endurance, speed, agility, and flexibility.  Students will be tested three times in the following tests: Curl-ups, Endurance run, Right Angle Push-ups, Shuttle Run, and Sit and Reach.

                First test-Curl-ups

                The objective is to measure the abdominal strength/endurance by maximum number of curl-ups performed in one minute. Students will have a partner hold his/her feet. Arms are crossed with hands placed on opposite shoulder and elbows held close to chest. Students will raise the trunk up to touch the outside of forearms and elbows to thighs and then lowers the back to the floor so that shoulder blades touch the floor. Bouncing off the floor is not performed and curl-ups should only be counted if performed correctly.

                Second test- Shuttle Run

                The objective is to measure speed and agility. Students will stand behind a designated line. 30 feet away from them will be two erasers, side by side. On signal, students will sprint to first eraser, pick one up and place (not throw) the eraser on the starting line. Then, the student sprints to pick up the second eraser and runs back across the starting line (Do not set eraser down on line. Run all the way through starting line.)

                Third test- Endurance Run

                The objective is to measure heart/lung endurance by fastest time covering a one mile, half mile, or quarter mile distance. For 4th, 5^th and 6^th graders, they will be completing the one mile distance, for 2nd graders, they will be completing the half mile distance, and for the 1^st graders, they will be completing the quarter mile distance. I don't have 3rd grade.

                Fourth test- Right angle push ups

                The objective is to measure upper body strength/endurance by maximum number of push-ups completed. The student starts in push-up position with hands under shoulders, arm straight and fingers pointed forward. Legs should be straight with the toes supporting the feet. Keeping the back and knees straight, the student them lowers the body until there is a 90 degree angle formed at the elbows. The push ups are done so that a complete push up is done every three seconds until the student can do no more. The student may not lower him/her self and lay down on the floor in between push-ups.

                Fifth test- Sit and Reach

                The objective is to measure flexibility of lower back and hamstrings. A specially constructed box with a measuring scale marked in centimeters, with 23 centimeters at the level of the feet will be used. Student will remove his/her shoes and sit on the floor with knees fully extended, feet shoulder-width apart and soles of the feet held flat against the end of the box. With hands on top of each other, palms down, and legs held flat, the student reaches along the measuring line as far as possible. After three practice reaches, the fourth reach is held while the distance is recorded.