Physical Fitness

Fit children allocate more cognitive resources towards the task, as well as processing information faster.

“A growing body of research has detailed the beneficial relation of chronic participation in - and acute responses to - physical activity on aspects of cognition that underlie scholastic achievement.  Physical activity may influence brain health and cognition in children, leading to enhanced scholastic performance and greater overall effective functioning across the lifespan.”  (“A review of chronic and acute physical activity participation on neuroelectric measures of brain health and cognition during childhood”  - Charles H. Hillman, Keita Kamijo, and Mark Scudder - http://kch.illinois.edu/Research/Labs/neurocognitive-kinesiology/files/Articles/Hillman_2011_AReviewOfChronic.pdf)

CA Ed Code Section 60800 requires the California Physical Fitness Test (PFT) annually to all students in grades 5, 7, and 9.  The “2011 Physical Fitness Test: Reference Guide” includes a detailed description of each fitness area tested, the related performance criteria, and suggestions for facilitating the administration of each test.  http://www.sandi.net/cms/lib/CA01001235/Centricity/Domain/121/assessment/pdfs/2010-11_PFTReference_Guide_rev.pdf

The San Joaquin County Office of Education is the current state contractor for the PFT.  Their web site has a number of free administration videos and training available to assist PFT Coordinators in preparing staff for the PFT.  https://pftdata.org/training.aspx.

The PFT test measures Aerobic Capacity, Body Composition, Abdominal Strength, Trunk Extension Strength, Upper Body Strength, and Flexibility.

 Statewide, less than 1/3 of students posted overall healthy scores in all 6 areas of the test in 2011.  Students at Dana, Correia, and Pt. Loma High Schools scored above the state averages.  http://data1.cde.ca.gov/dataquest/page2.asp?level=School&subject=FitTest&submit1=Submit

2010-11 California Physical Fitness Report
Overall - Meeting Healthy Fitness Zone

Number of Physical Fitness Areas Meeting the Healthy Fitness Zone		% of Dana Grade 5 Students in HFZ	% of California Grade 5 Students in HFZ		% of Correia Grade 7 Students in HFZ	% of California Grade 7 Students in HFZ		% of        Pt. Loma Grade 9 Students in HFZ	%of California Grade 9 Students in HFZ
All 6 of 6 fitness standards		28.5	25.2		52.2	32.0		45.4	36.8
5 of 6		26.6	23.2		22.5	22.8		19.7	22.6
4 of 6		16.1	20.2		14.8	19.4		14.0	19.3
3 of 6		14.4	15.5		6.7	14.0		13.0	12.2
2 of 6		8.9	10.1		1.9	7.8		5.3	5.9
1 of 6		5.0	4.7		1.4	3.1		1.9	2.4
0 of 6		0.6	1.1		0.5	0.7		0.6	0.9
Totals		100.0	100.0		100.0	100.0		100.0	100.0