Background on FitnessGram​®

FitnessGram® is the premier fitness and activity assessment tool for school-based physical education programming. The battery includes a comprehensive (and validated) set of field-based fitness assessments that help schools assess children's level of physical fitness. A unique aspect of FitnessGram® is that the assessments are evaluated using established health related standards that are based on how fit children need to be for health. Another unique aspect is that the software makes it easy to track data over time and to send personalized reports home to parents. Visit the FitnessGram® website at the Cooper Institute for more information about FitnessGram®. Click here to download a document explaining why FitnessGram® is MORE than just an assessment.

FitnessGram® Philosophy

The FitnessGram® philosophy spells HELP because we need your help to promote physical activity.

H   HEALTH comes from regular physical activity. Regular physical activity will lead to health-related fitness.
E   Physical activity and fitness are for EVERYONE regardless of age, gender, or ability.
L   Physical activity and physical fitness are for a LIFETIME. Aim to develop lifelong patterns of physical activity.
P   Physical activity programs should be designed to meet PERSONAL needs and interests.

Iowa FitnessGram® Results

The Iowa FitnessGram® Initiative includes a number of districts that have contributed de-identified data to a centralized server to enable tracking of aggregate results across districts. Click here to see more information about project and the age and gender patterns for health related fitness.

Link with NFL PLAY 60 FitnessGram Project

Picture
The Iowa FitnessGram® Initiative evolved 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 saw considerable value in the insights that can be gained through a more localized participatory network of Iowa schools. We are open to having other schools opt into the network and to facilitate spawning of related networks in other states (See Getting Started tab for details).