Influence Of BMI On The New FITNESSGRAM(R) Aerobic Capacity Criteria Standards In Sixth-grade Children

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence BMI has on the new FITNESSGRAM(R) criterion standards for aerobic capacity compared to the previous standards for one-mile run and PACER tests in sixth-grade children. Subjects were 439 sixth-grade boys and girls (61.3% Hispanic; 7.1% African-American) who completed each of the FITNESSGRAM(R) test components of their yearly physical education assessment. While, 60% of students met the previous FITNESSGRAM(R) age and gender criterion standards for BMI, only 43% met the new HFZ standards, and only 2% were in the very lean category. The percent of these students meeting the previous criterion standards were 48% for the one-mile run, and 44% for the PACER test. The percent of these students meeting the new FITNESSGRAM(R) age and gender aerobic capacity standards calculated from one-mile run times were 55% for the HFZ, 19% for NI-SR, leaving 26% in the NI-HR category.