A recent report by the Institute of Medicine offered suggestions for a school fitness overhaul. The researchers found evidence pointing to the importance of testing the following as health indicators:
- cardiorespiratory endurance, defined as “the ability to perform large-muscle, whole-body exercise at moderate to high intensities for extended periods of time”;
- body composition, defined as the proportion of fat, muscle, and bone on a person’s body; and
- musculoskeletal fitness, defined as “the integrated function of muscle strength, muscle endurance, and muscle power.”
The researchers found less evidence linking health and flexibility. Flexibility is usually measured as part of a school fitness assessment through the “sit and reach” test, in which a student would sit with legs extended and attempt to reach his or her toes. While the report states that administrators may still use the “sit and reach” test, they found that it is not a necessary component of an accurate fitness assessment.
For more information about the report’s findings and additional recommendations, click here.
