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. 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®). 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. |
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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Resources and Related Opportunities
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.
Musculoskeletal Fitness Warmup Activities
A student project conducted in 2017/2018 through the network helped to evaluate the utility of a brief musculoskeletal fitness warmup routine that could be readily incorporated into most PE lessons. The brief warmup included dynamic stretching activities followed by a series of 1 minute circuit stations that included simple strength and plyometric activities. The evaluation demonstrated meaningful gains in musculoskeletal fitness (assessed with handgrip and vertical jump) following 8 weeks of use in PE. The materials are available for schools / teachers involved in the Iowa FitnessGram network. Click here to learn more.
