Spring Break
MU students to administer fitness tests in public schools
Kaitlin Walter
Issue date: 9/25/07 Section: Campus
Fifteen Cincinnati public schools will be participating in the Partners For School Health initiative this year, a program affiliated with the American Heart Association.
Approximately 20 Miami University students will also be involved with the program, under the leadership of Randal Claytor, associate professor of kinesiology and health at Miami.
The Partners For School Health program is based out of Cincinnati Children's Hospital, and, according to Claytor, attempts to incorporate a more rigorous physical education curriculum for elementary school students-with the hope to gradually increase the level of physical activity.
Majoring in everything from dietetics to psychology, participating Miami students are currently being trained to administer FITNESSGRAM tests to 2,500 students in fourth through sixth grade.
A FITNESSGRAM consists of sit-ups, push-ups, trunk lifts, a 20-yard sprint, as well as a stretch and reach test, according to Claytor.
"The FITNESSGRAM test is used by a lot of schools and organizations, such as the YMCA, to determine the aerobic and endurance levels of kids, as well as their muscular strength," Claytor said.
The students' training includes watching a video from the American Heart Association, which outlines how to administer the five tests, and how to interact with the students and teachers during the testing process, Claytor explained.
"The students started training during the second week of school," Claytor said. "We're doing training and practice at least once a week in the evenings in the Phillips Hall gyms."
According to Claytor, the program will first detect how many kids fall into healthy and unhealthy fitness ranges, and then will measure the same students at the end of the year to see if there has been any improvement with their fitness.
Claytor said that he believes it is important for young students to learn the importance of being physically active, so as they grow up, they can develop and retain healthy physical habits.
Approximately 20 Miami University students will also be involved with the program, under the leadership of Randal Claytor, associate professor of kinesiology and health at Miami.
The Partners For School Health program is based out of Cincinnati Children's Hospital, and, according to Claytor, attempts to incorporate a more rigorous physical education curriculum for elementary school students-with the hope to gradually increase the level of physical activity.
Majoring in everything from dietetics to psychology, participating Miami students are currently being trained to administer FITNESSGRAM tests to 2,500 students in fourth through sixth grade.
A FITNESSGRAM consists of sit-ups, push-ups, trunk lifts, a 20-yard sprint, as well as a stretch and reach test, according to Claytor.
"The FITNESSGRAM test is used by a lot of schools and organizations, such as the YMCA, to determine the aerobic and endurance levels of kids, as well as their muscular strength," Claytor said.
The students' training includes watching a video from the American Heart Association, which outlines how to administer the five tests, and how to interact with the students and teachers during the testing process, Claytor explained.
"The students started training during the second week of school," Claytor said. "We're doing training and practice at least once a week in the evenings in the Phillips Hall gyms."
According to Claytor, the program will first detect how many kids fall into healthy and unhealthy fitness ranges, and then will measure the same students at the end of the year to see if there has been any improvement with their fitness.
Claytor said that he believes it is important for young students to learn the importance of being physically active, so as they grow up, they can develop and retain healthy physical habits.
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