---,

Program Overview
L Overview of the California Physical Fitness Test (PFT).

Purpose and Content

The State Board of Education (SBE) designated the FITNESSGRAM as the Physical Fitness Test (PFT) for students
in California public schools. The FITNESSGRAM is a comprehensive, health-related physical fitness battery
developed by The Cooper Institute. The primary goal of the FITNESSGRAM is to assist students in establishing
lifetime habits of regular physical activity.

Public school students in grades five, seven, and nine are required to take the PFT, whether or not they are enrolled
in a physical education class or participate in a block schedule. These students include those enrolled in elementary,
high, and unified school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools. School districts should also test all
students in alternate programs, including, but not limited to, continuation schools, independent study, community day
schools, county community schools, and nonpublic schools. Students who are physically unable to take the entire test
battery are to be given as much of the test as conditions permit. (Education Code (EC) Section 60800 and the
California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Section 1041).

The PFT provides information that can be used by (1) students to assess and plan personal fitness programs; (2)
teachers to design the curriculum for physical education programs; and (3) parents and guardians to understand their
children's fitness levels. This program also provides results that are used to monitor changes in the physical fitness of
California students. By law (Education Code Section 60800), all school districts in California are required to
administer the PFT annually to all students in grades five, seven, and nine.

The FITNESSGRAM is composed of the following six fitness areas, with a number of test options provided for most
areas:

~ Aerobic Capacity

PACER (Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run)

One-Mile Run " '
Walk Test (only for ages 13 or older)

Abdominal Strength and Endurance

Curl-Up

Upper Body Strength and Endurance

Push-Up
Modified Pull-Up
Flexed-Arm Hang

Body Composition

Skinfold Measurements
Body Mass Index
Bioelectric Impedance Analyzer

Trunk Extensor Strength and Flexibility

L- Trunk Lift
 Flexibility

L Back-Saver Sit and Reach

Shoulder Stretch

The FITNESSGRAM& uses objective criteria to evaluate performance for each fitness area (e.g., body composition,
abdominal strength, and endurance). The Cooper Institute established these criteria using current research and
expert opinions. These criteria represent a level of fitness that offers some protection against the diseases associated
with physical inactivity.

Background
The statewide physical fitness testing program was first authorized in 1976 and reestablished in 1995 as part of the
California Assessment of Academic Achievement Act (Assembly Bill [AB] 265 which added EC Section 60800). In
February 1996, the SBE designated FITNESSGRAM& as the required physical fitness test that school district shall
administer to California students in grade five, seven and nine.

EC Section 60800 requires the school districts administer the physical fitness test (i.e., FITNESSGRAM):

School districts shall administer the PFT annually during the months of February through
May to all students in grades five, seven, and nine.
The California Department of Education (CDE) collects the physical fitness test results and
provides aggregate results to the school districts and public.
The CDE reports the aggregate results to the Governor of California and the California
Legislature.
School districts are to provide students with their individual results after completing the
PFT either orally or in writing.
Schools report the summary results of the PFT in their annual School Accountability Report
~ Card (SARC).
 ( -( . ....--.,...-.-~.~ ~.~ ..
..,... ..........

FITNESSGRAM Get Fit Exercises

Warm-up activities

~
Side bend Trunk twist Knee lift Calf stretch Arm circles Jumping jacks Brisk walking

,~& ;!
Strength development activities
- .. ,....~

k Crunch
~
Curl-ups
~
.
'--

Sit-ups
~
~
Back arch Wall sit Lunges
~j ~ ~
Single leg lift

i:
:~
~ '0
8~
~
Arm curls Military press Modified pull-ups Horizontal ladder activities Push-ups Climbing activities

Aerobic activities: Jogging, Cycling, Swimming, Brisk walking, Rope jumping, Soccer, Basketball

Cool-down activities

&
~
~st.~
Calf stretch Thigh stretch Sitting toe touch Knee hug
OJ Arm/shoulder stretch Arm/side stretch
'"
FIGURE 8.2
From FITNESSGRAMIACTIVITYGRAM Test Administration Manual, Updated Third Edition by The Cooper Institute, 2005, Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
 2009-10 CALIFORNIA PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST

~ FITNESSGRAW Healthy Fitness Zones

The FITNESSGRAM'> uses Healthy Fitness Zones (HFZs) to evaluate fitness performance. These zones are criterion-
referenced standards established by The Cooper Institute of Dallas, Texas, and represent minimum levels of fitness
that offer protection against the diseases that result from sedentary living. The California Department of Education
considers a student who meets or exceeds a HFZ as meeting the desired performance goal.

FEMALES
Skinfold
Measurement!
Walkiest
One Mile Run 20m PACER V02max Bioelectric Body Mass Curl-Up
Age min:sec(l) # laps
(3)
Index (1)
(2) Impedance # 'completed
mllkg/min
Analyzer
percent fat (1)

5 32-17 21.0 -16.2 2-10

Completion Participate in
6 32 -17 21.0-16.2 2 -10 0

of distance. run. Lap count

7 32 -17 22.0 -16.2 4-14
Time HFZs not HFZs not
8 V02max HFZs 32-17 22.0 -16.2 6-20
recommended. recommended.
9 not available. 32-13 23.0 - 13.5 9-22
10 12:30 - 9:30 7 -41 32-13 23.5 - 13.7 12 -26
11 12:00 :- 9:00 15 - 41 32-13 24.0 -14.0 15-29
12 12:00 - 9:00 15 - 41 32 -13 24.5 -14.5 18 - 32
13 11:30- 9:00 23 - 51 36-44 32 -13 24.5 -14.9 18 - 32
14 11:00- 8:30 23 - 51 35-43 32 -13 25.0 - 15.4 18-32
15 10:30 - 8:00 32 - 51 35 -43 32-13 25.0 -16.0 18 - 35
16 10:00 - 8:00 32 - 61 35-43 32-13 25.0 -16.4 18 - 35
G 17
17+
10:00 - 8:00
10:00 - 8:00
41 -61
41 -72
35-43
35 -43
32-13
32-13
26.0 -16.8
27.3 -17.2
18- 35
18 - 35
Modified Flexed-Arm Back-Saver
Trunk Lift Push-Up Shoulder
Age
' inches #cQmpleted
Pull-Up Hang Sit & Reach
Stretch 1
tIl

--
# completed seconds inches <II
i':'
5 6-12 3-8 2-7 2-8 9 'Ol"
1:
6 6-12 3-8 2-7 2-8 9
7 6-12 4-10 3-9 3-8 9
<vi'"
8 6 -12 5 -13 4 -11 3 -10 9 ~
'"x
Touching
9 6 -12 6-15 4 -11 4 -10 9
fingertips
m
'jij
10 9-12 7 -15 4-13 4 -10 9 o
together ~-
11 9 -12 7 -15 4 -13 6-12 10
behind the
12 9-12 7 -15 4 -13 7 -12 10 ~
.5
back on both
13 9 -12 7 -15 4-13 8 -12 10 the left and
ffi
c.
o
14 9 -12 7 -15 4-13 8-12 10 right sides.
o
U
15 9 -12 7 -15 4-13 8 -12 12 "
s:
I-
16 9 -12 7 -15 4 -13 8 -12 12 e-,
.0

17 9 -12 7 -15 4 -13 8-12 12 i:3

o
N
17+ 9-12 7 -15 4 -13 8-12 12 @

(1) The number on the left is the lower end of the HFZ; the number on the right is the upper end of the HFZ, That is, for time, percent fat, and Body Mass Index
(8MI), smaller numbers are better than larger numbers. Percent fat is based on skinfold measurements from the triceps and calf or from measurements
obtained from a bioelectric impedance analyzer. BMI is calculated from measurements of weight and height.
('I lIthe 15-meter PACER is administered, these scores must be converted to 20-meter scores. The conversion table can be downloaded from the
FITNESSGRAN!" Web site at http://www.frtnessgram.net/(Outside Source).
(3) Aerobic capacity (VO,max) reflects the maximum rate that oxygen can be taken up and utilized by the body during exercise. Aerobic capacity is estimated by
inserting age, gender, weight, mile walk time, and heart rate at the end of the walk into the Rockport Fitness Walking Test equation. This equation can be found
in the Reference Guide on the Physical Fitness Test (PFT) Overview Packet Web page at http://www.cde.ca.gov/taltg/pl/overview.asp.

California Department of Education August 2009 1

 2009-10 CALIFORNIA PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST

FITNESSGRA~ Healthy Fitness Zones

The FITNESSGRA~ uses Healthy Fitness Zones (HFZs) to evaluate fitness performance. These zones are criterion-
referenced standards established by The Cooper Institute of Dallas, Texas, and represent minimum levels of fitness
that offer protection against the diseases that result from sedentary living. The California Department of Education
considers a student who meets or exceeds a HFZ as meeting the desired performance goal.

MALES
..

5kinfold
Measurement!
Walk Test
One Mile Run 20m PACER VO max(3) Bioelectrio Body Mass Curl-Up
Age # laps 2 . Index
rnm.sec !" (2) Impedance (1) # completed
mllkg/min
Analyzer
. percent fat (1).

5 25 -10 20.0 -14.7 2 -10

Completion Participate in
6 25 -10 20.0 -14.7 2-10
of distance. run. Lap count
7 25 -10 20.0 -14.9 4-14
Time HFZs not HFZs nor
8 V02max HFZs 25 -10 20.0 - 15.1 6-20
recommended. recommended.
9 not available. 25-7 20.0 - 13.7 9-24
10 11:30- 9:00 23-61 25-7 21.0 -14.0 12-24
11 11:00- 8:30 23-72 25-7 21.0 -14.3 15 - 28
12 10:30 - 8:00 32-72 25-7 22.0 -14.6 18-36
13 10:00 -7:30 41 - 83 42-52 25-7 23.0-15.1 21-40
14 9:30 -7:00 41 - 83 42- 52 25-7 24.5 -15.6 24-45

-. 15
16
17
17+
9:00 -7:00
8:30 -7:00
8:30 -7:00
8:30 -7:00

Trunk Lift
51-94
61-94
61 - 106
72 -106

Push-Up
42- 52
42-52
42 -52
42-52
Modified
25-7
25-7
25-7
25-7
Flexed-Arm
25.0 -16.2
26.5 -16.6
27.0 - 17.3
27.8 -17.8
Back-Saver
24-47
24-47
24-47
24-47

Shoulder -ri
Age Pull-Up Hang 5it& Reach ~
inches # completed Stretch
# completed seconds inches '"
U>
i':'
5 6-12 3-8 2-7 2-8 8 11
OJ
6 6-12 3-8 2-7 2-8 8 ;;:

~
7 6-12 4-10 3-9 3-8 8 ui

8 6 -12 5 -13 4 -11 3 -10 8 ~

Touching ~
9 6-12 6-15 5 -11 4-10 8 ui
..!!!
fingertips ro
10 9 -12 7 -20 5 -15 4-10 8 o
together ai
11 9-12 8 -20 6-17 6-13 8
behind the :a
12 9 -12 10 - 20 7 -20 10 -15 8 ~
.:=
back on both
13 9-12 12-25 8-22 12-17 8
the left and ~
o
14 9-12 14 - 30 9-25 15-20 8 right sides. 8
15 9-12 16-35 10-27 15 -20 8 Q)
s:
t--
16 9 -12 18 - 35 12 - 30 15 -20 8 ~
17 9-12 18 - 35 14-30 15-20 8 "-o
o
17+ 9 -12 18 - 35 14 -30 15-20 8 N
@
(1) The number on the left is the lower end of the HFZ; the number on the right is the upper end of the HFZ. That is, for time. percent fat, and Body Mass Index
(BMI), smaller numbers are better than larger numbers. Percent fat is based on skinfold measurements from the triceps and calf or from measurements
obtained from a bioelectric impedance analyzer. BMI is calculated from measurements of weight and height.
(') If the 15-meter PACER is administered, these scores must be converted to 20-meter scores. The conversion table can be downloaded from the
FITNESSGRAM" Web site at http://www.fitnessgram.neU (Outside Source).
(3) Aerobic capacity (VO,max) reflects the maximum rate that oxygen can be taken up and utilized by the body during exercise. Aerobic capacity is estimated by
inserting age, gender, weight, mile walk time, and heart rate at the end of the walk into the Rockport Fitness Walking Test equation. This equation can be found
in the Reference Guide on the Physical Fitness Test (PFT) Overview Packet Web page at http://www.cde.ca.gov/taltg/pf/overview.asp.

L California Department of Education August 2009 2