Presidential Fitness Challenge
Each Fall and Spring, students in grades 3-5 participate in the Presidential Fitness Challenge. The challenge is made up of 5 parts that test various types of physical abilities. The students scores are recorded and compared to all students in the United States who take the challenge. Our goal, is for each student to improve from challenge to challenge in each of the 5 parts. Students who score 90% or better in all 5 parts, earn the Presidential Fitness Award. Students who score 50% or better in all 5 parts, earn the National Fitness Award.
Records are kept for each of the challenges. Click here for the records.
The 5 Challenges:
CRUNCHES:
The Challenge: Students lie flat on their backs with feet flat on the floor. They must raise their backs completely off the floor for a crunch to count. They are challenged to see how many crunched they can do in 60 seconds.
Physical Ability Tested: Abdominal Strength & Endurance (Stomach Muscles)
Ways to Prepare/Improve: Doing sit-ups or crunches on your own time 4 to 5 times a week. Increase the time or number of sit-ups/crunches each week.
MILE (grades 4 & 5) and 1/2 MILE (grade 3):
The Challenge: Students are timed to see how fast they can complete a 1/2 or 1/4 mile.
Physical Ability Tested: Cardiovascular Endurance (Stamina)
Ways to Prepare/Improve: Try running or walking a set amount of time and increase the time weekly or every other week.
SHUTTLE RUN:
The Challenge: Students are time to see how quickly they can retrieve 2 bean bags and bring them back to the starting line picking up one bean bag at a time.
Physical Ability Tested: Quickness and Agility
Ways to Prepare/Improve: Participating in sports or playing tag games are good ways to improve quickness and agility.
SIT-N-REACH:
The Challenge: Students sit with feet against the Sit-n-Reach box and reach as far as they can along the measuring line.
Physical Ability Tested: Flexibility
Ways to Prepare/Improve: Stretching for 5-10 minutes a day before or after bed will improve flexibility.
PULL-UPS/FLEXED ARM HANG (student choice):
The Challenge:
Pull Ups - Starting from a hanging position and palms facing out, students
must pull their chins completely over the bar.
Flexed Arm Hang - Students hang as long as they can with chin positioned
with chin over the bar.
***To qualify for Presidential Fitness Award, student must do the the Pull
Up challenge***
Physical Ability Tested: Upper Body Strength and Endurance (Arms)
Ways to Prepare/Improve: Doing puh-ups, pull-ups, chin-ups, or stretch bands with improve upper body strength. Using monkey bars is another great way to improve upper body strength.