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Assessments & Accountability » California Physical Fitness Test

California Physical Fitness Test

Introduction

State Superintendent Jack O’Connell once stated that “a silent epidemic of obesity and poor nutrition is endangering our children’s health and their ability to learn.” State laws (Assembly Bill 265 of October 1995 and Senate Bill 896 of 1998) require school districts to administer a physical fitness test to all 5th, 7th, and 9th graders and to report test results annually. The physical fitness test designated for California public school students is the FITNESSGRAM, developed by the Cooper Institute of Dallas, Texas.

The goal of the California physical fitness test is for students to achieve the minimum fitness levels, or performance standards, for all six fitness areas of the test. This is the seventh year for reporting physical fitness test results in California public schools.
 
Components and Options of Test Tasks

Physical fitness consists of three components: 1) aerobic capacity, 2) body composition, and 3) muscular strength, endurance, and flexibility. To ensure thorough measurements of all three components, the FITNESSGRAM test is comprised of the following six major areas with multiple task options for four of the six areas:
 

Aerobic Capacity

  • One-Mile Run / Walk
  • PACER
  • Walk Test (only for 13/older)

 

Trunk Extensor Strength & Endurance

  • Trunk Lift

 

  

Upper Body Strength & Endurance

  • Push-Up
  • Flexed Arm Hang
  • Modified Pull-Up
  

Body Composition

  • Skinfold Measurements (% Fat)
  • Body Mass Index
  

Flexibility

  • Back-Saver Sit & Reach
  • Shoulder Stretch
  

Abdominal Strength & Endurance

  • Curl-Up
The Standards
 
The FITNESSGRAM uses criterion-referenced standards to evaluation fitness performance.  These standards represent a level of fitness that offers some degree of protection against diseases resulting from sedentary living.  Findings from current research, expert opinions, and theoretical perspectives have been used as the basis for establishing the FITNESSGRAM standards according to gender and age.

Performance levels for each of the test tasks are classified as 1) “in the Healthy Fitness Zone (HFZ)” or 2) “needs improvement.”

2011 Test Results