Is FITNESSGRAM Worth the Hassle?

Physical Educators seem to have mixed feelings towards the FITNESSGRAMtests required by the state of Texas. Instead of actually viewing this requirement as an important tool to help with research, PE teachers often view FITNESSGRAM as more of a hassle. This requirement was added in 2007 and was actually conceived from important issues about the health status of our youth. In one research journal, Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, the authors state, “Childhood obesity was a key element behind Texas Senate Bill (SB) 530 in 2007 that required public schools to conduct annual comprehensive health-related physical fitness evaluations with students in grades 3–12.”¹

Schools need to be in full support of these tests and treat them just like any other mandatory state test. Currently, people treat the STAAR test as the most important test in schools. Why do teachers not have the same mindset towards FITNESSGRAM testing, especially given that it actually deals with life threatening factors such as obesity?

If people knew that the requirement for FITNESSGRAM developed from the current childhood obesity epidemic, they would better understand the importance of FITNESSGRAM. With obesity developing at an early age, it is encouraging to know that the state actually recognizes the problem and created a program that is centered towards childhood fitness. However, many individuals still view these fitness tests as a waste of time because of the lack of true participation with some students. So it seems that the problem is not with the state requiring FITNESSGRAM testing, but instead it’s with the state receiving accurate testing results.

Tune in next week as I discuss some strategies of how we can get our students to truly give it their all when participating in FITNESSGRAM testing.

¹ Morrow Jr., J. R., Martin, S. B. & Jackson, A. W. (2010). Reliability and validity of the FITNESSGRAM®, Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 81:sup3, S24-S30. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02701367.2010.10599691