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FITNESS TESTS pre (fall) and post (spring) include Curl-Ups, Mile Run, right angle Push-Ups, and the Sit & Reach. These tests will be given at each grade level at both middle schools in Corvallis each year.

Other tests can be given by individual teachers including the Pacer, Pull-Ups, Shuttle and the 50 Yard Dash.

This event measures abdominal strength and endurance.

Curl-ups test
Have student lie on cushioned, clean surface with knees flexed and feet about 12 inches from buttocks. Partner holds feet. Arms are crossed with hands placed on opposite shoulders and elbows held close to chest. Keeping this arm position, student raises the trunk curling up to touch elbows to thighs and then lowers the back to the floor so that the scapulas (shoulder blades) touch the floor, for one curl-up. To start, a timer calls out the signal "Ready? Go!" and begins timing student for one minute. The student stops on the word "stop." Students are given a 60 second to do as many as possible.

Curl-ups tip
Instruct helpers to count aloud the number of repetitions.

Curl-ups scoring
"Bouncing" off the floor is not permitted. The curl-up should be counted only if performed correctly.

This event measures heart/lung endurance.

Endurance run/walk testing
On a safe, one-mile distance, students begin running on the count "Ready? Go!" Walking may be interspersed with running. However, the students should be encouraged to cover the distance in as short a time as possible.

The student lies face down on the mat in the push-up position with hands under shoulders, fingers straight, and legs straight, parallel, and slightly apart, with the toes supporting the feet. The student straightens the arms, keeping the back and knees straight, then lowers the body until there is a 90-degree angle at the elbows, with the upper arms parallel to the floor. A partner helps to count and watches that they go down to the 90-degree angle or holds her / his hand at the point of the 90-degree angle so that the student being tested goes down only until her / his shoulder touches the partner's hand, then back up. Two methods are used by different teachers:

1. The push-ups are done to a metronome (or audio tape, clapping, drums) with one complete push-up every three seconds, and are continued until the student can do no more in rhythm or touches the ground twice.

2. Students do the right angle push-ups as fast as they wish, keeping a steady rhythm. Students are given a 60 second to do as many as possible.

Student leave their shoes on and sits on the floor with knees fully extended, feet shoulder-width apart and soles of the feet held flat against a wall. With hands on top of each other, palms down, and legs held flat, student reaches out as far as possible. Boys will work to try and teach their shoe laces while the girls will need to reach the wall.

This event measures speed, quickness and agility.

Shuttle run testing
Mark two parallel lines 30 feet apart and place two blocks of wood or similar object behind one of the lines. Students start behind opposite line. On the signal "Ready? Go!" the student runs to the blocks, picks one up, runs back to the starting line, places block behind the line, runs back and picks up the second block and runs back across starting line.

Shuttle run tip
Be sure the participants understand the importance of running through the finish line.

Shuttle run scoring
Blocks should not be thrown across the lines. Scores are recorded to the nearest tenth of a second.

This event measures upper body strength and endurance.

Pull-ups testing
Student hangs from a horizontal bar at a height the student can hang from with arms fully extended and feet free from floor, using either an overhand grasp (palms facing away from body) or underhand grip (palms facing toward body). Small students may be lifted to starting position. Student raises body until chin clears the bar and then lowers body to full-hang starting position. Student performs as many correct pull-ups as possible.

Pull-ups tip
Spend as little time hanging from the bar beforehand as possible, the extra time on the bar may reduce the number of pull-ups performed. Discourage any kicking of the legs or swinging of the body as this may also decrease the number of repetitions.

Pull-ups scoring
Pull-ups should be done in a smooth rather than jerky motion. Kicking or bending the legs is not permitted and the body must not swing during the movement.

This event measures speed,.

50 Yard Dash
Measure off a 50 yard area, track works well.
Students start behind starting line. On the signal "Ready? Set! Go!" the student runs to the finish line. Students should be reminded to accelerate through the finish line.

The Pacer (Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run) This is a multistage fitness test set to music, which provides a valid and fun alternative tot he distance run. This activity is ideal for all ages. The objective is to run as long as possible back and forth across a 20 meter distance at a specified pace that gets faster each minute.

Information gathered and used or adjusted from:
The Presidents Challenge web site located at:
http://www.presidentschallenge.org/educators/program_details/physical_fitness/events.aspx