Overview
The Iowa FitnessGram® Initiative is a participatory network of Iowa K-12 schools and University partners committed to promoting physical fitness in Iowa schools. Our goal in establishing this partnership is to help Iowa schools to enhance the promotion of physical activity and physical fitness in youth. With assistance from The Cooper Institute, we provide access and support on the effective use of FitnessGram® (the national fitness testing battery). In return, we hope to work with schools to test out new ways to enhance fitness education and youth activity promotion.
A unique opportunity through the Iowa FitnessGram® Initiative is to incorporate the new online version of the Youth Activity Profile (YAP) in school physical education. The YAP has been designed to provide schools with a tool to assess and promote children's physical activity behavior as well as attitudes towards physical activity. The YAP software interface is customized for participating schools to assist in education and promotion about physical activity. Click here to learn more about the Youth Activity Profile. If you are interested in learning more about the Iowa FitnessGram® Initiative (or getting support from our team), please complete the quick registration form. You can also email the project director (Dr. Greg Welk) directly at gwelk@iastate.edu. The form provides a way for us to more effectively track the communication. |
FitnessGram® SoftwareSchools in the Iowa FitnessGram® Initiative are provided with access to the latest version of the FitnessGram® software. Click here to learn more about FitnessGram®. For software help, visit the FitnessGram® Software Support & Training site. Click on the chart below to see tips on how to get started with the software.
Click on the chart below to view current FitnessGram® Standards charts.
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Related Work
The Iowa FitnessGram® Initiative operates somewhat in parallel with a large national project coordinated through a partnership between The Cooper Institute and the NFL Play 60 program called the FitnessGram® NFL Play 60 FitnessGram® Partnership Project. Our project team works with the Cooper Institute on the evaluation of the national project (See About Us tab) and is positioned to provide similar services to Iowa schools through this participatory framework (See Getting Started tab for details).
The Iowa FitnessGram® Initiative is managed by a team of faculty and staff affiliated with the Physical Activity and Health Promotion Laboratory at Iowa State University under the leadership of Dr. Greg Welk (Scientific Director of FitnessGram®).
The Iowa FitnessGram® Initiative is managed by a team of faculty and staff affiliated with the Physical Activity and Health Promotion Laboratory at Iowa State University under the leadership of Dr. Greg Welk (Scientific Director of FitnessGram®).
Program Options
SWITCH Obesity Prevention Program
The SWITCH obesity prevention program provides a way for schools to take coordinated action to help promote healthy lifestyles in their students. A customized PE curriculum (SWITCH PE) is specifically designed to facilitate coordination through Physical Education programs. Click here to download a brochure. Click here to read more about SWITCH on our page and to learn how to register.
CDC Recess Recommendations
New guidelines from the CDC provide support for schools interested in enhancing recess. Click here to learn more.
