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®.

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.

Past Iowa FitnessGram® Results

Early in the evolution of the Iowa FitnessGram® Initiative, data were systematically compiled to enable summaries of youth fitness levels across the participating schools.

The links below show how de-identified data were used 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

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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 has worked with the Cooper Institute on the evaluation of this national project and we saw considerable value in the insights that can be gained through a more localized participatory network of Iowa schools. Research is still progressing on the NFL PLAY 60 project an we hope to share best practices and support related programing through this network.