The President's Physical Fitness Test
There's one fitness test that's so important it came straight from the White House. Just what is the President's Physical Fitness Test, and why should you be taking it?
The President's Physical Fitness Test is a test to see how physically fit you are for your age: You do five activities and write down your scores for each one. Then your results are compared to national averages to see how you did. Easy, right?
Well, it used to be easier than it is now. Kids used to take the President's Physical Fitness Test every year at school as part of their gym classes (ask your parents!). But since physical education programs have been cut from so many schools, a lot of kids aren't taking the President's Physical Fitness Test anymore. Though that may sound like a good thing — one less test to take! — it actually isn't good at all. First of all, the annual test disappeared at the same time a lot of kids started spending lots more time in front of TV and computer screens, getting less and less fit every year. Without the test, many kids who are out of shape don't know it — or don't know how bad things really are.
That's why Shaq wants you to take the President's Physical Fitness Test now, on your own. Knowing how fit (or how out of shape) you are now is the starting point for what you have to do next. It's also an important clue to how healthy you are overall. So give it a try today and see how you do — you can download the instructions and a scorecard right here. Then check out What Your Score Means.
Here are the activities:
Curl-ups
These moves test your abs (the muscles around your waist, the ones that make your stomach look great when they're in shape). These muscles are important for supporting your back and helping you stand up straight. How many curl-ups can you do in a minute?
1-Mile Run/Walk
Seeing how quickly you can run or walk a mile (or a shorter distance if you're nine years old or younger) will tell you how fit your heart and lungs are.
Pull-ups or Push-ups
These exercises both measure your upper body strength. Drop down, and give us as many as you can!
Shuttle Run
This activity tests how strong your legs are and how nimble you are on your feet.
V-Sit
This measures flexibility of your lower back and hamstrings. You'll need a tape measure for this one. See how far you can reach!
When you take the President's Physical Fitness Test, ask an adult to help out by doing the counting, timing, and measuring for you. That way, you can concentrate on doing the best you can.
NOTE: This Web site offers a lot of information about eating better and getting fit, and not all of it will be right for all kids. Always check with your parents before you make any changes in the way you eat or exercise — they'll know best what's right for you.
Next: What Your Score Means >
In this article:
The President's Physical Fitness Test
What Your Score Means
Photograph © American Broadcasting Companies, Inc.