Schools

Murrieta Students Beat State Fitness Average

Among fifth-, seventh- and ninth-graders in Murrieta, an average of 39.9 percent met six of six criteria in an annual state-mandated physical fitness test. Statewide, an average of 31 percent were considered healthy.

Murrieta students scored higher than the state average on an annual fitness test, and are generally more fit than the previous year's results showed.

In the 2010-2011 school year, 39.9 percent of Murrieta Valley Unified School District fifth-, seventh- and ninth-graders tested healthy in six of six fitness categories, compared to 31 percent statewide, according to data released by the California Department of Education last week.

The 2011 Physical Fitness Test (FITNESSGRAM®) was administered to 1.34 million students statewide representing 93 percent of pupils enrolled in fifth, seventh and ninth grades. Students were measured on their aerobic capacity, body composition, abdominal strength, trunk extensor strength, upper body strength and flexibility.

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The assessments took place in the spring during their P.E. classes. Depending on how they performed, students were ranked in the Healthy Fitness Zone®, Needs Improvement (not in HFZ®) or Needs Improvement-High Risk.

Of Murrieta fifth-graders tested, 37.1 percent were in the Healthy Fitness Zone® for all six categories. That was down from 45.8 percent in 2009-2010, but still enough to edge out their statewide peer average of 25.9 percent.

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Among Murrieta seventh-graders, 37.6 percent met six of six criteria, up from 33.8 percent in the previous year and higher than the statewide average of 32 percent.

Nearly 45 percent--44.9--of Murrieta ninth-graders met all criteria, an increase from 37.9 percent in 2009-2010.

Statewide, there is a push to see many more students reach ideal fitness in all six categories with the launch of Team California for Healthy Kids public awareness campaign.

"[The] results are clear: when only 31 percent of children are physically fit, that's a public health challenge we can't wait to address," said State Superintendent of Schools Tom Torlakson, in a news release.

A teacher and longtime high school cross country coach, Torlakson launched the Team California for Healthy Kids effort to engage celebrity athletes, community leaders, public health advocates, parents, teachers and students in achieving three major goals:

  • Increasing physical activity, especially moderate-to-vigorous physical activity throughout the day, every day, in schools and communities.
  • Increasing access to fresh fruits and vegetables in meals and snacks in early childhood and after-school programs, and in salad bars in schools.
  • Increasing access to drinking water.

"That's where our Team California for Healthy Kids campaign can make a world of difference, by helping make healthy choices the easy choices, at school and beyond," Torlakson said.


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