Physical Fitness Testing
According to John F. Kennedy, “Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity.”(Norfolk) The physical education curriculum has been an influential factor to students learning in and outside of the physical education setting. Not only do physical education classes stimulate the brain they can impact students levels of fitness through out the rest of their lives.
One of the many jobs of an educator is to ensure student success through providing students with an environment in which they can learn at their highest level. In the learning environment, testing is one of many aspects that gauge student learning and performance. In the physical education curriculum physical fitness testing is one of the most commonly used measurements of performance. However, many different studies are beginning to show that the testing may be flawed, as the physical fitness tests may not provide educators with the best interpretation of students’ physical fitness abilities. Factors such as a teacher’s outlook and attitude towards the test, test requirements, abilities and motivation of the test taker, and the format of the test can affect student scores in a negative manner. If all of the mentioned factors are impacting our students’ test performance then there is an indication for a need of a new form of measurement of physical fitness, as well as the potential need to relinquish the requirement of physical fitness testing in school districts across the nation.
Over the years, the need for an emphasis on physical education in schools has decreased. This has led to a greater need to test students to present measurements of learning to administration, school boards, county offices, and state officials. However, individuals within the field of physical education are questioning physical fitness testing as a true barometer of the physical fitness abilities amongst the student body
One of the many jobs of an educator is to ensure student success through providing students with an environment in which they can learn at their highest level. In the learning environment, testing is one of many aspects that gauge student learning and performance. In the physical education curriculum physical fitness testing is one of the most commonly used measurements of performance. However, many different studies are beginning to show that the testing may be flawed, as the physical fitness tests may not provide educators with the best interpretation of students’ physical fitness abilities. Factors such as a teacher’s outlook and attitude towards the test, test requirements, abilities and motivation of the test taker, and the format of the test can affect student scores in a negative manner. If all of the mentioned factors are impacting our students’ test performance then there is an indication for a need of a new form of measurement of physical fitness, as well as the potential need to relinquish the requirement of physical fitness testing in school districts across the nation.
Over the years, the need for an emphasis on physical education in schools has decreased. This has led to a greater need to test students to present measurements of learning to administration, school boards, county offices, and state officials. However, individuals within the field of physical education are questioning physical fitness testing as a true barometer of the physical fitness abilities amongst the student body
Cited: Norfolk Public Schools. Retrieved November 5th, 2013 from the NPS Physical Education page: http://ww2.nps.k12.va.us/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?sectiondetailid=22620 Morrow, J. R. J., Fulton, J. E., Brener, N. D., & Kohl, H. W. . (January 01, 2008). Prevalence and correlates of physical fitness testing in U.S. schools--2000. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 79, 2, 141-8. Stanec, A. D. S. (July 01, 2009). The Theory of Planned Behavior: Predicting Teachers ' Intentions and Behavior during Fitness Testing. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 28, 3, 255-271. Graser, S. V., Sampson, B. B., Pennington, T. R., & Prusak, K. A. (January 01, 2011). Children 's Perceptions of Fitness Self-Testing, the Purpose of Fitness Testing, and Personal Health. Physical Educator, 68, 4, 175-187. Carrel, A. L., Bowser, J., White, D., Moberg, D. P., Weaver, B., Hisgen, J., Eickhoff, J., ... Allen, D. B. (January 01, 2012). Standardized childhood fitness percentiles derived from school-based testing. The Journal of Pediatrics, 161, 1, 120-4. Wilkinson, C., Brown, L., Graser, S. V., & Pennington, T. R. (January 01, 2012). Adolescent Girls ' Preferences Pertaining to Cardiovascular Fitness Testing: A Comparison between the One-Mile Run and PACER Tests. Physical Educator, 69, 1, 52-70.