User:Lorijcooper/Fitnessgram

Fitnessgram is a fitness assessment testing protocol and software program developed by The Cooper Institute in 1982. Fitnessgram is both an assessment protocol and software which is sold by Human Kinetics, Inc.

Fitnessgram test scores are evaluated against objective criterion-based standards, called Healthy Fitness Zone standards. These standards indicate the level of fitness necessary for health. The Healthy Fitness Zone standards were developed by The Fitnessgram Scientific Advisory Board, a team of scientists and practitioners who are experts in the field of health and fitness, based on extensive research on the relationship between fitness, activity, and health. Scientific Advisory Board members include Charles "Chuck" Corbin, Robert Pangrazi, and Greg Welk. For more information on the development of the Healthy Fitness Zone standards, The Cooper Institute provides a reference guide.

Current use of Fitnessgram
In 2007, the Texas Education Association (TEA) authorized the use of the Fitnessgram asesssment and software state-wide in all Texas public schools, comparing this data to socioeconomic status, attendance, and standardized test scores. Fitnessgram was proposed in part to help combat the state's troubling childhood obesity rates, but this first-of its-kind study also set out to prove physically fit kids make for better students. After just one year officials say Texas school kids are performing better on standardized tests. And as fitness rates rose, absentee rates dropped, and so did reports of discipline problems.

According to an April 13, 2009 letter from director of school health, Melissa Rathbone, "the results of the 2007-2008 Physical Fitness Assessment Initiative (PFAI) revealed that youth achieving the healthy fitness zone were more likely to do well on the state’s standardized tests and have good school attendance."

In late 2009, NFL Charities, the charitable foundation of the National Football League, awarded a three-year, $1.8 million grant to The Cooper Institute to support youth health and prevent childhood obesity as part of NFL PLAY 60. The grant will be used to purchase Fitnessgram and make the software available free of charge to more than 1,000 schools throughout each of the 32 NFL markets.

Overall, more than 45,000 copies of the Fitnessgram software license and over 105,000 copies of the test administration manual have been sold.