The Development of Youth Fitness Education & The Physical Best Program

A Brief History

 Dr. Hans Kraus study

Results indicated:
Only 42% of American children passed the assessment, while

92% of European school children passed the assessment

 President Eisenhower is shocked by the scores from the Kraus study! Thus, Eisenhower established the Presidents Council on Youth Fitness.

The AAHPERD Youth Fitness Test

established normative data based on a 7 test battery.
Pull-Ups Sit-Ups Shuffle-Run Standing Broad Jump 50-yard Dash Softball Throw for Distance 600-yard Run-Walk

The AAHPERD Fitness Test Batteries

Skill-Related
Shuttle run 600-yard walk/run 50-yard dash Softball throw for distance

Health-Related

Single-leg balance Flexed arm hang Push-Ups Sit-Ups

AAHPERD redesigned the meaning of fitness in terms of health rather than skill performance. The Health-Related Fitness Test was created and replaced all fitness tests.

The AAHPERD Health-Related Fitness Test was designed and used nation-wide to test cardiovascular endurance, muscular endurance and strength, flexibility, and body composition components. Assessments included: 60 second sit-ups Mile run/walk Skinfold measurements Sit-and-reach Pull-ups, flexed arm hang & modified pull-ups

The Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research introduces the Fitnessgram assessment and software to schools throughout United States. The Fitnessgram is the first health-related assessment program to use criterion reference standards and not normative based data.

 The Physical Best Educational Program was established and released by AAHPERD Developed by educators to enhance the existing physical education curriculum and supplement daily lesson plans.

The Physical Best Fitness test changed to criterion-referenced standards and replaced all normative based test items.
The new standards were based on scientific research and represented the level of risk in each assessment items.

The Physical Best program included cognitive components to teach fitness concepts through activity.
Physical Best encouraged the use of goal setting as a part of its recognition system.

The process of developing fitness goals was emphasized as fitness was achieved.

AAHPERD and Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research (CIAR) formed a partnership to promote health-related youth fitness. The Fitnessgram was selected as the official AAHPERD health-related assessment battery. The battery continued to include computer software for the Windows/DOS and Macintosh/Apple based computers.

Physical Best published four new supplements:

Physical Best and Individuals with Disabilities Physical Best and Nutrition You Stay Active Recognition Program Speaking of Fitness (Anthology)

AAHPERD, The Cooper Institute and Human Kinetics formed the American Fitness Alliance

Physical Best Activity Guides were published by Human Kinetics

Elementary Level Secondary Level

FITNESSGRAM (Version 6.0) released by CIAR and Human Kinetics Physical Education for Lifelong Fitness: (Teachers Guide) published by Human Kinetics.

2nd editions of the Physical Best Activity Guides and the Teachers Guide including modifications for students with disabilities were published by Human Kinetics. Release of FITNESSGRAM 8.0