Fit Kids: Take the President's Challenge
By: Elizabeth Harness
Updated: February 10, 2009
17 year old Lindsay Tondryk is no stranger to the presidential physical fitness exam.
“We do it in the Fall and we do it in the Spring,” says Tondryk a student at Honeyoe Falls-Lima High School, “instead of doing the mile run, the one and a half mile run, we do the pacer and everything does that do it's fair.”
The presidential physical fitness exam is not just limited to school. Rochester physical therapists suggest kids might want to take the test at home this summer.
“You can do the test at the beginning of the summer, do some exercises and then re-check at the end of the summer, maybe like three months and see how you've improved,” says Richard Fame, a physical therapist at Rochester General Hospital’s clinic at Midtown Athletic Club.
The test measures four things: frequency, intensity, type and time.
“It will break down each component. So if you're lacking in your cardio, your vascular area, it will tell you that your score is less than the rest of the nation,” says Fame.
The exam is now available online and experts say it could be a good way for parents to get in shape with their kids in a fun way.
“You can do it in your own home, no equipment needed, other than a stopwatch, a tape measure or a yard stick,” says Fame, “it's fun to see your score, you can print out a little certificate at the end and see where you stand.”
Lindsay excels in flexibility but other parts are bit more challenging.
“I don't run, so I guess that could be the hardest, my sit ups are half sit ups so they're not the easiest thing.”
In the end, she has a better idea of what she needs to improve on for her activities next year.
“For someone who's already exercising, it's a good idea to see where you stand and see where you need to improve,” says Fame.
For access to the Presidential Physical Fitness Exam online visit:
