American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance - AAHPERD

Issue: March 2010

One School District’s Strategy to Improve Fitness Levels: A Fitness Challenge
Ray Allen, Brian Tass, & James R. Peterson

Abstract: This article describes a district-wide fitness challenge that was implemented by the elementary physical education program in the Waterford (Michigan) public schools. Its purpose was to (1) encourage students to be active outside of the classroom, (2) provide parents and families with information about the importance of fitness and physical activity, (3) promote activities within the schools that would improve the program’s image among teachers and administrators, and (4) increase the program’s visibility within the school and community. Individual students earned certificates for meeting the program’s performance expectations and every elementary school building in which at least 75 percent of students met three of the four fitness standards qualified as a “Fit School.” The initiative resulted in marked increases in the percentage of students who met grade-related fitness standards.

Article category: Fitness