1. How is Physical Best unique?

Physical Best is:

• Inclusive by providing developmentally appropriate activities for different ages and abilities
• Personal by focusing on each child's individual preferences and capabilities
• Criterion-referenced focusing on guidelines for health and personal improvement rather than attaining unrealistic performance based standards
• Teaches cognitive knowledge THROUGH activity
• Promotes a lifestyle of physical activity
• Created by teachers for teachers
• The program is a result of the work of practitioners who have used the activities and teaching methods in the classroom.
• A committee of NASPE members guides the ongoing development of the program.

All of these characteristics combined with FITNESSGRAM form a comprehensive program that provides one-stop shopping for physical activity, nutrition education, and assessment in fitness education.

2. How does Physical Best fit in to any physical education curriculum?                                               

The Physical Best philosophy and activities can be infused throughout any physical education curriculum. Physical Best is: linked to national education standards (NASPE, AAHE, NDA); provides accountability for educators by tying to national standards; is a K-12 program with resources and training appropriate to every grade level.

3. What is incorporated into the Physical Best program content?

All health-related components and principles of fitness taught through activity, assessment through FITNESSGRAM and the best scientific research available on physical activity and health to date.

4. What Physical Best resources are available?

Physical Education for Lifelong Fitness (Teacher's Guide) provides a framework for implementing health-related physical education effectively. Physical Best Activity Guides (both elementary and secondary levels) provide ready-to-use instructional activities  to teach the health-related fitness components through movement that is fun. Visit the Resources page for detailed information.

5. What type of training is provided by Physical Best?

A menu of half and full-day workshops in Physical Best, FITNESSGRAM and Fitness For Life (Corbin and Lindsey) is available through NASPE.

6. How can Physical Best be taught in higher education?

Higher education professionals can become Physical Best Specialists or Instructors, incorporate the resources and content of the Specialist workshop into their coursework, and offer their students the option to be certified as Physical Best Specialists.
For details, contact the Physical Best office at: 1-800-213-7193 x489.

7. What is FITNESSGRAM?

FITNESSGRAM is a health-related physical fitness assessment and computerized reporting system.
It was developed in 1982 by leading scientists in physical activity and fitness assessment at The Cooper Institute in Dallas, Texas.
It is the assessment component and complement to the Physical Best program.

8. What are the FITNESSGRAM test items?

• Aerobic Capacity (select one)
• The Pacer - a 20 meter progressive, multi-stage shuttle run set to music
• One Mile Walk/Run
• Walk Test - available for secondary students
• Body Composition (select one)
• Percent Body Fat - calculated from triceps and calf skinfold measurements
• Body Mass Index - calculated from height and weight 
• Muscle Strength, Endurance, and Flexibility
• Abdominal Strength, 
• Curl-up Test Trunk Extensor
• Strength and Flexibility ,
• Trunk Lift Upper Body Strength (select one)
• 90 degree Push-up
• Flexed Arm Hang
• Modified Pull-up
• Flexibility (select one)
• Back-saver
• Sit-and-reach
• Shoulder Stretch

9. What distinguishes FITNESSGRAM from other fitness assessments?
FITNESSGRAM uses objective criterion standards to evaluate fitness performance rather than using norms. These standards have been set to indicate levels of fitness necessary for good health and are established for each age and gender.
Does not include assessment items that are more related to skill and athletic performance. Software application produces very attractive report for parents to communicate the results of the assessments.

10. What is ACTIVITYGRAM?

ACTIVITYGRAM is a three-day recall of physical activity. It assesses each 30-minute block of time between the hours of 7:00 am. and 11:00 p.m. An individualized report is also available for the physical activity assessment.

11. What is assessed with the ACTIVITYGRAM?

Students are asked to enter three pieces of information about each activity: Type and Name of Activity, Intensity of Activity, and Length of Activity. The ACTIVITYGRAM report includes information regarding the facets of a student's activity level:Total number of minutes of activity, activity patterns throughout the day, and type of activities performed as classified by the Activity Pyramid.

12. Why should I use ACTIVITYGRAM with my students?

The ACTIVITYGRAM report focuses the attention of the student and parent on the student's actual level of physical activity. The most important health message that students must learn in physical education is that doing physical activity almost daily is very important to lifelong health. Completing the ACTIVITYGRAM assessment helps to communicate that message.

13. What is in the computer software?

The FITNESSGRAM software application contains three modules: the FITNESSGRAM assessment, the ACTIVITYGRAM assessment, as well as the Activity Log and Incentive Challenge module.
An individualized report can be produced for each assessment and for activity log. There are also a number of other data management reports for teachers.
The current version of the software is 8.4 which uses Microsoft SQL servers and either PC or MAC client computers. Comprehensive information, including pricing, is available at: www.fitnessgram.net.

14. Can I still purchase version 6.0.3 software?

FITNESSGRAM 6.0.3 software is no longer available for purchase. However, technical support for version 6.0.3 will continue to be available.