Connecticut Physical Fitness
2008
Each year children in Connecticut public schools take the CT Physical Fitness Assessment. (CPFA) Four areas are tested: flexibility, upper body strength, abdominal strength and cardio endurance.
The goals of the CPFA are to:
provide for continual monitoring of students’ fitness levels in targeted grades;
identify a student’s weaknesses and strengths so that areas in need of improvement can be seen and individual programs can be developed;
inform students and parents about student fitness status;
inform schools, districts and the public about programs focusing on fitness and physical activity in our schools and evaluate their success.
When children are fit they are better prepared for emergencies. They have more stamina to run faster and farther, climb and jump as needed and have the agility to get away from danger. Their coordination is improved so they are less likely to fall or run into obstacles. Muscular strength also helps to maintain good posture.
Improved physical performance enhances confidence and self-esteem!
Below are examples of exercises and/or suggested activities to help improve your child's fitness level.
Flexibility: Helps prevent injury, improves muscle coordination and promotes a healthier lifestyle.
Exercises that increase one's flexibility:
Toe touches
Windmills
‘Number 4’ stretch
Lunge with back heel to floor
Yoga
Endurance: Allows muscle to move for longer periods of time without tiring and improves cardio-respiratory endurance.
Exercises/activities that increase one's endurance:
basketball
bicycling
ice-skating
in-line skating
soccer
swimming
tennis
walking
jogging
running
skipping rope
dancing
treadmill
tag games
Curl-Ups: Improve muscular strength of the abdominal muscles, which improves sports performance.
Exercises/activities that increase one's abdominal strength:
Push-ups
Core strength exercises
Crunches
Curl-ups
Pilates
Push-Ups: Promote strength, balance and stability by developing several key muscles, including the chest, the shoulder muscles, and the arms.
Exercises/activities that increase one's upper body strength:
Climbing activities (trees, jungle gym, monkey bars)
Swimming
Lifting light weights-- Bicep curls
Pull-ups, chin-ups, push-ups
Raking leaves
Shoveling snow
Below are the health and challenge standards: Connecticut Physical Fitness Test
Health and Challenge Standards
* The first number is health, the second is challenge.
BOYS
Mile/Walk Run Sit and Reach Push-Up Curl-Up
Age
8 10:10/8:30 25/33 8/20 18/42
9 9:45/8:15 25/33 9/21 20/45
10 9:30/8:00 25/33 10/22 22/48
11 9:15/7:30 25/33 11/23 25/51
GIRLS
Mile/Walk Run Sit and Reach Push-Up Curl-Up
Age
8 11:15/9:30 26/36 6/16 18/40
9 11:00/9:15 26/36 7/17 20/43
10 10:45/9:00 26/37 7/17 22/46
11 10/30/8:45 26/37 8/17 24/89
Health Level: This level demonstrates a healthy level of fitness-related skills for their age. Challenging, but attainable; standard for most students.
Challenge Level: This level demonstrates exceptional fitness-related skills for their age. These students may be motivated to achieve and maintain a high level of fitness.
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