Physical education and school contextual factors relating to students' achievement and cross-grade differences in aerobic fitness and obesity.

Using two major data sets from the Texas Youth Fitness Study, ordinary least squares regression, and hierarchical linear modeling, we examined the impact of hey correlates in school physical education programs and policies on students'fitness status and cross-grade differences. While a number of factors, such as teachers' training/updates, recess time, available physical activity space, a school wellness policy, and fitness testing before administration, were confirmed, these correlates can explain only limited variance. Other aspects, such as socioeconomic status and community confounding factors, were recognized and illustrated.

A survey of physical education programs and policies in Texas schools.

To better understand key physical education program factors and policies that may affect Texas students' physical fitness, a 39-question survey, administered as part of the Texas Youth Fitness Study (TYFS), was sent to 5651 Texas schools via e-mail. The survey consisted of five sections: (a) demographics, (b) physical education/recess frequency and duration, (c) resources/environment, (d) school physical education polices, and (e) experience/perception of fitness testing. A total of 2576 responses were received, of which 1505 responses (elementary = 58.

The association of health-related fitness with indicators of academic performance in Texas schools.

This study examined the associations between indicators of health-related physical fitness (cardiovascular fitness and body mass index) and academic performance (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills). Partial correlations were generally stronger for cardiovascular fitness than body mass index and consistently stronger in the middle school grades. Mixed-model regression analyses revealed modest associations between fitness and academic achievement after controlling for potentially confounding variables.

Distribution of health-related physical fitness in Texas youth: a demographic and geographic analysis.

This study examined demographic and geographic variability in aggregated school-level data on the percentage of students achieving the FITNESSGRAM Healthy Fitness Zones (HFZ). Three-way analyses of variance were used to examine differences in fitness achievement rates among schools that had distinct diversity and socioeconomic status profiles. The results revealed age-related declines in the percentage of youth who achieved the HFZ standard for cardiovascular fitness (elementary school: 70%; middle school: 46%; high school: 34%).

Overview of the Texas Youth Fitness Study.

This paper summarizes the historical and legislative backgrounds leading to statewide testing of health-related physical fitness in Texas children grades 3-12 as mandated by Texas Senate Bill 530. The rationale and goals for an associated research project (the Texas Youth Fitness Study, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation) to evaluate data collected from the statewide initiative are provided. The study investigated the relations between health-related physical fitness and educational variables, including academic achievement, absenteeism, and negative school incidents.

1958-2008: 50 years of youth fitness tests in the United States.

The AAHPER Youth Fitness Test, the first U.S. national fitness test, was published 50 years ago.