FitnessGram: a Great Assessment Tool

About three months ago, I started using a program called FitnessGram. It is the only health-related fitness assessment program to use criterion-referenced standards, called Healthy Fitness Zones, to determine students' fitness levels based on what is optimal for good health.

Since I have started using this, student performance of fitness testing has increased dramatically. Their effort and eagerness to track physical activity has skyrocketed and parent involvement in the students life has also increased. Not to mention, this program also allows for computer literacy (very important in today's society) to be introduced into the physical education setting.

As for now, I can safely say that this program has changed the whole perception of PE for my students and their families, the school district, and myself.

I highly recommended that you look into working this program into your curriculum.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT THIS LINK: http://www.fitnessgram.net/overview/

FitnessGram was developed by The Cooper Institute in an effort to provide physical educators with a tool that would facilitate communicating fitness testing results to students and to parents. The assessment measures three components of health-related physical fitness that have been identified as important to overall health and function:

- aerobic capacity;
- body composition; and
- muscular strength, endurance, and flexibility.

FitnessGram helps you achieve your goals by applying easy-to-use technology to
conduct fair and accurate fitness assessments and easily record the results,
set individualized goals for students, give students responsibility for managing and recording their own activities, create detailed reports of progress and results for students, parents, and administrators help students and parents understand the value of physical activity.

ActivityGram, which is a supplemental program to FitnessGram, is a behaviorally based physical activity assessment tool. ActivityGram provides information about the number of daily steps taken each day (measured by pedometers), the number of minutes exercised, the type and intensity of exercise, and tools for goal setting and tracking.

FitnessGram/ActivityGram enables you to promote awareness about the importance of physical activity and fitness, assess the fitness and activity levels of children in grades K-12, and help them develop patterns of lifelong, health-promoting physical activity. (The program is also appropriate for use with young adults up to age 30.)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT THIS LINK: http://www.fitnessgram.net/overview/