Fitnessgram Coming Soon To Hayden School District

Hayden - Fitnessgram is a computer based fitness assessment and reporting program that will be deployed by the Hayden School District Physical Education Department for all students. The assessment includes a variety of health related physical fitness tests that assess aerobic capacity, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, and body composition. Scores from these assessments are compared to Healthy Fitness Zone standards to determine students' overall physical fitness and suggest areas for improvement when appropriate.

The Healthy Fitness Zone standards are not based on class averages or any other peer comparisons. They are criterion-referenced standards that are based on levels of fitness needed for good health. The standards are set specifically for boys and girls of various ages using the best available research. The Healthy Fitness Zone standards were established by the Fitnessgram Scientific Advisory Board, which includes some of the foremost scientists and practitioners in fitness and physical activity.

A key feature of the Fitnessgram software is its ability to generate printed reports for each student (a parent version of the report can be generated, too). The Fitnessgram report defines the recommended range of fitness for each test measure—the Healthy Fitness Zone. When a child's score falls within the Healthy Fitness Zone, it means the child has achieved a level of fitness associated with being healthy. Teachers and administrators can also generate more advanced statistical reports on the health and fitness of all their students.

The program was purchased with a grant provided by LiveWell Northwest Colorado.

Fitnessgram user access will be on the computers of the physical education department staff; Mr. Baumgarner, Mrs. Brach-Morton, and Mrs. Glenn.

Hayden's Coach Baumgartner, who coordinated the Fitnessgram acquisition with LiveWell NW Colorado's Barb Parnell, indicated he plans to begin using the program after students return from spring break. "I really like the reporting, especially the ones for the parents," Coach Baumgartner said. "Fitnessgram can help the schools physical education program define its goals and bring everyone on board with those common goals."

Ultimately, Fitnessgram is an educational tool that helps students learn—as part of a high quality, standards-based physical education curriculum—how it feels to become more physically fit, and how to value a physically active lifestyle.