California Fitness Test Shows 31 Percent of Students in Shape
The California state fitness exam, which tests school-age children in a series of physical exercises, released their results on Thursday, revealing that 31 percent of students tested were in good shape.
The state Department of Education announced that fewer than a third of the 1.3 million students passed all six measures in this year's Physical Fitness Test. This is about the same percentage as 2011.
The examination tested fifth, seventh and ninth graders for aerobic capacity, abdominal, trunk and upper body strength, body composition and flexibility. About 25 percent of fifth-graders, 32 percent of seventh-graders and 37 percent of ninth graders passed all six exercises.
The test also found that almost 30 percent of these students have high health risks due to excess body fat. Tom Torlakson, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, says that the results highlight the tremendous public health challenge that California faces.
