Visit the National Academies Press online and register for

TAbLE 5-1 Appropriate and Inappropriate Practices Related to Fitness 
Testing in Schools and Other Educational Settings
Appropriate Practice
Inappropriate Practice
In elementary school, motor skills are the 
focus of instruction, with health-related 
fitness components being integrated into the 
curriculum and lessons focused on fitness 
education.
Health-related fitness is rarely integrated 
into instruction. Students fail to 
understand the benefits of health-related 
fitness and know little about how to 
develop a fitness plan.
Fitness testing is used to set individual goals 
as part of fitness education. At the secondary 
level, students use fitness test data to design and 
apply a personal fitness plan.
Fitness testing is conducted 
without meaningful understanding, 
interpretation, and application.
Physical educators use fitness assessment as