Physical Activity and Change in Fitnessgram Scores in Arkansas Fourth Grade Children

In the 2011-2012 school year, some Arkansas schools experimented with the premise that implementing the recommended 150 minutes or more of physical activity would result in improved physical fitness. The Fitnessgram was used to determine whether improvements in physical fitness were obtained; however, the minutes of physical activity necessary to improve fitness using Fitnessgram criteria were unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between physical activity minutes and health-related physical fitness scores in elementary students who participated in physical education and recess periods for information that might improve policies governing physical activity in Arkansas public schools. Guided by the Child Lifetime Physical Activity Model, which suggests children need adequate time to engage in physical activity in order to obtain optimal health benefits, this study used secondary data analysis to compare minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity recorded by heart rate monitor to Fitnessgram health-related physical fitness criterion in 4th grade populations. Six linear regression analyses were conducted to determine if physical activity minutes could predict positive change in 6 health-related physical fitness scores using Fitnessgram criteria. In 2 analyses, the results supported the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service recommendation for physical activity; the results did not, however, support the recommendation in 4 analyses. This study concluded more minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity results in more positive change in Fitnessgram cardiovascular and muscular strength fitness (curl-up) scores. Replication studies are needed to expand on these findings. Policymakers may draw from the findings in developing policies governing physical activities in Arkansas public schools.