BLOG: PUTTING FITNESS EDUCATION TO THE TEST IN HPE

<p><strong>What does the evidence say about fitness testing?</strong></p><p>There are a few things that we know about fitness testing in HPE:</p><ul><li><p>most Secondary HPE teachers carry out fitness testing at least once per year with each class/grade (<a target="_blank">Alfrey & Gard, 2014</a>).</p></li><li><p>some children enjoy participating in fitness testing (Alfrey & Yager, 2020).</p></li><li><p>some children find fitness testing painful, embarrassing and shameful (Alfrey & Yager, 2020; <a target="_blank">Garret & Wrench, 2008</a>), and these feelings can persist into adulthood, to damaging effect (<a target="_blank">Sykes & McPhail, 2008</a>).</p></li><li><p>children’s experiences of fitness testing are not always meaningful or educational (<a target="_blank">Mercier, Phillips & Silverman, 2016</a>).</p></li></ul><p>In addition, school-based challenges, mental health and body image are of concern for approximately a third of young Australians (<a target="_blank">Carlisle</a><a target="_blank"> et al., 201</a><a target="_blank">8</a>).</p><p>With these points in mind, this blog post shares some evidence-based thoughts related to why so many of us use fitness testing as a context for learning, and how we might work towards inclusive, safe, educational and relevant/meaningful fitness education for all students within HPE.</p><p><br></p>