New Test Designed to Evaluate Fitness of American Adults
By Hugh C. McBride
In conjunction with May's designation as National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports has unveiled an online program to assess the fitness levels of American adults.
Modeled after the fitness award program that students across the nation have participated in since 1966, the President's Challenge Adult Fitness Test is an effort to encourage American adults to increase their activity levels. "What we're trying to do is inspire and motivate Americans to move their bodies more," the council's executive director, Melissa Johnson, told the Associated Press.
The new test - a self-scored assessment designed for adults ages 18 and over who are in good health - is divided into three sections:
- Aerobic Fitness - Participants record their weight, time, and heart rate after either a one-mile walk or a 1.5-mile run.
- Muscular Strength- Participants record the number of half sit-ups and push-ups they can complete in one minute.
- Flexibility - Participants record the results they achieve after completing a sit-and-reach test.
Those who take the challenge are also asked for their age, gender, and state of residence, along with their height, weight, and waist measurement. Participants are not asked to provide their names. Test standards and instructions, the score reporting form, and a pre-participation screening questionnaire (to determine if one is healthy enough to safely complete the test) are available on the challenge's official website, www.adultfitnesstest.org.
Once an individual has completed the tests and entered the required information, he or she is provided with a percentile score indicating his or her performance in relation to others of a similar demographic who have participated. For example, placing in the 65th percentile in an area indicates that an individual has reported a higher score than 65 percent of all others in the same age and gender group who took that test.
Though the test is designed to encourage greater physical activity, there is concern that the competitive nature of the percentile scoring system could have the opposite effect. Kris Aimone, wellness coordinator for Southcoast Hospitals Group, told The Standard Times of New Bedford, Mass., that though "it's great to see where you are in black and white," she worries that individuals who place in a low percentile may be discouraged by the result and abandon their fitness efforts.
Aimone advises participants not to use the percentile score as an absolute, but rather as a means of tracking one's progress. "They need to start wherever they need to start," she told The Standard Times. "There's more to it than just comparing from one person to the next," she said.
A press release provided by the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports states that adults should get a minimum of 30 minutes of physical activity five days per week.
Comments
We hear that jimmy choo handbags or some people say the Jimmy choo bags always be a classic and timeless accessory for every handbag enthusiast. with the Jimmy Choo brown Beautiful handbags for women to fulfill their dreams Chic and beautiful,I think the ladies could choose the famous handbags such as Jimmy Choo black ,as we all know around the handbags especially the Marc Jacobs handbags.Having gone through a hundred years of fashion trend developments.when people talking about the Mulberry bags the first bag they regraded is the Marc Jacobs Wallet this handbag looks very beautyful,many people think so .we've seen a special edition Miu Miu tote which I think still counts because they're from the same designer.There are many ways to find handbags. One thing you can do, is look for seasonal 2010 designer bags.like Marc Jacobs ToteYou are sometimes able to buy a discount hermes bags, because it was last season's pattern. For example, I managed to buy a beautiful, well-made Mulberry Satchel once for because it was a seasonal style.This black leather Mulberry bag is an absolute classic and Mulberry black is a staple piece for your hermes handbags wardrobe.
Gucci bags The company of Gucci handbags sale started out quite small before earning its top place on the fashion market except the Fendi bags. When shopping for a gucci on sale , you may select from Gucci babouska, Gucci Abbey, Gucci Tote, Gucci hobo, Gucci classic or Gucci Cruise.All this bags can be purchased at local shops or at online retailers like Gucci New Jackie Gucci bags The products at www.beautyaf.com are sold at quite cheap prices if you compare them to other bag retailers.now,you can grab this chance to choose the cheap and high quality handbags!
.MBT Chapa Shoes very similar to push often wear shoes,the MBT Chapa could distribut the body weight.also the Puma Easy Rider is you choise,Puma Easy Rider is designed to athletes and sports.Puma Drift Cat improve the athlete and postal recycling core muscles and balance. Puma Drift Cat is good.And Puma Voltaic also increase the absorption of various styles,Puma Voltaic provide joint shapes and colors.what is the sport shoes you may want,the Puma Tennis Shoes is you first choise.I think Puma Tennis Shoes will give you a good impression.Does Nike 6.0 Shoes is most useful when you are working or wearing? Yes Nike 6.0 Shoes is a good choice.And Asics Mexico 66 usually be ignored. the Asics Mexico 66 is a good shoes.
the MBT Women's Shoes is also great for burning more calories than walking alone.we think the MBT Women's Shoes is great just like the The mbt sandals. People think the mbt sandals has significant effect on aspects of easing pains.The Nike 6.0 have good effects to us. This Nike 6.0 you maywant wear in every step of the way.
Leave a Comment