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FitnessGram Overview

PACER Test

The PACER (Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run) is a multistage fitness test adapted from the 20-meter shuttle run test published by Leger and Lambert (1982) and revised in 1988 (Leger et al.). The test is progressive in intensity—it is easy at the beginning and gets harder at the end. The progressive nature of the test provides a built-in warm-up and helps children to pace themselves effectively. The test has also been set to music to create a valid, fun alternative to the customary distance run test for measuring aerobic capacity.

The following video was produced for the California Department of Education and describes the P.A.C.E.R. test used for the FitnessGram program.  The same techniques in the video below will be used in our class.

FitnessGram Push-up and Curl-up Tests

The following videos were produced for the California Department of Education and describe the push-up and curl-up tests used for the FitnessGram program.  The same techniques in the videos below will be used in our class.

Trunk Lift and Shoulder Stretch Tests

The following videos were produced for the California Department of Education and describe the trunk lift and shoulder stretch tests used for the FitnessGram program.  The same techniques in the videos below will be used in our class.

Backsaver Sit & Reach Test

The following videos were produced for the California Department of Education and describe the backsaver sit and reach test used for the FitnessGram program.  The same techniques in the videos below will be used in our class.

Body Mass Index (B.M.I.) Test

FITNESSGRAM provides three different measures of aerobic capacity (VO2), the PACER test (recommended), the One-Mile Run, and the Walk Test. From a research perspective aerobic capacity is one of the the most important fitness components. FG now requires the input of Body Mass Index (BMI) (weight relative to height) in the calculation of aerobic capacity to ensure the most accurate measure of VO2. Aerobic capacity reflects the body's effectiveness to take in, transport, and convert oxygen to energy during exercise. Therefore, the higher the one's aerobic capacity (VO2) the higher their level of aerobic fitness.

Low levels of aerobic capacity can be associated with metabolic syndrome, high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and even some forms of cancer. Students who consistently reach the Healthy Fitness Zone (HFZ) in aerobic capacity and body composition are thought to be less likely to develop these issues overtime.

The following video was produced for the California Department of Education and describes the B.M.I. test used for the FitnessGram program.  The same techniques in the video below will be used in our class.

History

Sport stacking originated in the early 1980's in southern California and received national attention in 1990 on a segment of the "Tonight Show", with Johnny Carson. That was where it first captured the imagination of Bob Fox, who was then an elementary classroom teacher in Colorado.
Speed Stacks founder Bob Fox says, "When I first became passionate about sport stacking in 1995, a lot of people would hear about it and scratch their heads. Stacking a sport? The only way to explain it was to show them firsthand - sport stacking is truly something you have to see to believe! I absolutely love the challenge of turning skeptics into believers, and the list of stacking enthusiasts grows every day." 

Speed Stacks spreads nationally. In 1998, Bob was asked to present sport stacking to Texas. After a tremendous response Speed Stacks, Inc. 
was born as a small home business designed to promote sport stacking and be a resource to physical education teachers. And the sport continued to grow. Bob started traveling across the country to present stacking to fellow PE teachers, and in 2000, after 17 years of teaching, he decided to leave his school district to devote full time to Speed Stacks. The sport's popularity continues to grow exponentially. As of Summer-2007 more than 20,000 schools worldwide have a Speed Stacks program as part of their PE curriculum.  

What are the benefits of sport stacking? Kids don't need to be convinced about the benefits of sport stacking. They just plain love it (even your "way too cool for it" kids).  

For teachers and parents, we've always touted hand-eye coordination, quickness and ambidexterity. We now can substantiate those claims. A university study by Dr. Brian Udermann, currently at the University of Wisconsin-Lacrosse, confirms that stacking improves hand-eye coordination and reaction time by up to 30 percent.  

Sport stacking helps students develop bilateral proficiency equal performance on both sides of the body. By increasing bilateral proficiency, a 
student develops a greater percentage of the right side of the brain, which houses awareness, focus, creativity and rhythm. Stacking helps train the brain for sports and other activities where the use of both hands is important, such as playing a musical instrument or using the computer. Sequencing and patterning are also elements of sport stacking, which can help with reading and math skills. 

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