Fitter than a Fifth-Grader?

Long division? Check. With fractions? Check (ish). Book report? Check. Year of the Boston Tea Party? Check. Maybe you’re smarter than the average fifth grader, but can you pass a fifth-grade fitness test?

California and many other states requires students to take a physical education test in fifth grade to demonstrate body strength, flexibility, and endurance. These include curl-ups (sit-ups), push-ups, trunk lifts, a one-mile run, stretches, modified pull-ups, and flexed arm hangs.

Can you pass the test? The Fitnessgram Healthy Fitness Zones performance goals were designed to “represent minimum levels of fitness that offer protection against diseases that result from sedentary living.” In general, by age 17, boys are expected to do about twice as many curl-ups, push-ups, modified pull-ups, and arm hangs as girls.

Activity Descriptions

Curl-Ups: Put your feet flat on the floor with knees bent, arms at sides, and palms down. Using your abdominal muscles, raise your upper body until hands slide forward about 4.5 inches past their starting point, then slowly release to a flat position. Lower back stays on the mat. Repeat every 3 seconds until form fails.

Flexed Arm Hang: Grasp the bar with an overhand grip (palms facing outward); with the assistance of 1 or more spotters, raise your body up to a position in which your chin is above the bar with the elbows flexed and tucked into sides. Your body should be straight. Time how many seconds the form can be maintained.

Modified Pull-Ups: The pull-up bar should be a few inches above your reach. Lay on your back with shoulders under the bar. The bar should be grasped in an overhand grip with the hands shoulder-width apart; the body should be straight with only heels in contact with the floor. Pull up until the top of your head is a few inches below the pull-up bar. Perform as many as possible in good form.

Push-Ups: Lying face down; place your arms shoulder width or slightly wider. Next, push up with your legs and body straight. Perform one push-up every 3 seconds. Your back should be straight, and your arms should fully extend in up position.

Trunk Lifts: Lie face down on a mat with your hands at your sides. Using your back muscles, lift trunk and head, without using arms, to a maximum of 12 inches off the ground (measured from the top of the head to mat with a ruler).

1-Mile Run: Flat, even surface. Time start and finish times. Students should keep run pace throughout.

Failed? Don’t be discouraged. Endurance takes time. Start with the number of repetitions in good form that you can master; add just one extra each day. Push-ups can be especially challenging for women but are great for building upper body strength and endurance. If standard push-ups are too challenging, start with a modified or bench push-up. You can even begin with a wall push-up until you build enough strength for a bench push-up. Practice each day. If you do so for each category, you will be fitter than a 5th grader before you know it.

Not intended for health/medical advice. Always check with your healthcare provider before beginning any new diet or exercise regime.

– Pia Hinckle