What is the Presidential Fitness Test?
A new fitness challenge for students.
Recently, students in MYP 1, MYP 4, and MYP 5 have started their journey to improvement and self-development through what is know as the Presidential Fitness Test. But the question remains; “What is the Presidential Fitness Test?”
The Presidential Fitness Test is a program to assess and measure a student’s physical fitness level. This is done through several different physical activities including: running, push-ups, sit-ups, and shoulder stretch. These activities are used to evaluate the student’s aerobic capacity, muscular endurance, flexibility, and agility. The purpose of the test is to help students understand their current physical fitness level and identify areas for improvement. It also encourages them to adopt a healthy lifestyle and be physically active. The Presidential Fitness Test is measured according to three achievement levels:
The Presidential Level
This level of achievement represents the upper 85th percentile of athletic achievement in students within their respective age groups across at least five of the fitness activities.
The National Level
This level of achievement represents the upper 50th percentile of athletic achievement in students within their respective age groups across at least five of the fitness activities.
The Participation Level
This level of achievement represents the lower 50 percentile of athletic achievement in students within their respective age groups who have attempted and finished at least five physical activities.
Throughout this unit, students will get their own initial scores from the presidential fitness test and develop a plan for improvement. They will choose areas of focus and set goals to pursue improvement. Students will learn not only about their own current level of physical fitness, but practice making a realistic plan and executing this plan with the main goal of improving in their chosen areas.
The effects and lessons learned during the Presidential Fitness Test (or PFT) may even accompany a student after they have left EISB. During the PFT, students will learn about the benefits of a healthier, more active lifestyle. Seeing these benefits firsthand can motivate students to continue with these healthy habits long after they achieve success in school.
Some of the students have already felt the competitive nature that such a program can bring, and when we have students competing to see who can be the most physically fit and healthy everyone wins. We’ll check back in soon to see what progress our students have made!
