v Physical Education
5 Components of Physical Fitness Physical education is the foundation
 The 5 components of physical fitness are often
used in our school systems, health clubs and
fitness centers to gauge how good a shape we
are truly in. The 5 components that make up
total fitness are:
 Cardiovascular Endurance
 Muscular Strength
 Muscular endurance
 Flexibility
 Body Composition
Total fitness can be defined by how well the
body performs in each one of the components of
physical fitness as a whole. It is not enough to
be able to bench press your body weight. You
also need to determine how well you can handle
running a mile etc.
A closer look at the
individual components:
Cardiovascular endurance is the ability of the
heart and lungs to work together to provide the
needed oxygen and fuel to the body during
sustained workloads. Examples would be
jogging, cycling and swimming. The Cooper Run
is used most often to test cardiovascular
endurance.
Muscular strength is the amount of force a
muscle can produce. Examples would be the
bench press, leg press or bicep curl. The push
up test is most often used to test muscular
strength.
Muscular endurance is the ability of the
muscles to perform continuous without fatiguing.
Examples would be cycling, step
machines and elliptical machines. The sit up test
is most often used to test muscular endurance.
Flexibility is the ability of each joint to move
through the available range of motion for a
specific joint. Examples would be stretching
individual muscles or the ability to perform
certain functional movements such as the lunge.
The sit and reach test is most often used to test
flexibility.
Body composition is the amount of fat mass
compared to lean muscle mass, bone and
organs. This can be measured using underwater
weighing, Skinfold readings, and bioelectrical
impedance. Underwater weighing is considered
the “gold standard” for body fat measurement,
however because of the size and expense of the
of a Comprehensive School Physical
Activity Program.  It is an academic
1, 2
subject characterized by a planned,
sequential K–12 curriculum (course of
study) that is based on the national
standards for physical education. 2–
 Physical education provides
4
cognitive content and instruction
designed to develop motor skills,
knowledge, and behaviors for
physical activity and physical fitness.2–
 Supporting schools to establish
4
physical education daily can provide
students with the ability and
confidence to be physically active for
a lifetime.
2–4
There are many benefits of physical
education in schools. When students
get physical education, they can :
5-7
Increase their level of physical
activity.
 Improve their grades and
standardized test scores.
 Stay on-task in the classroom.
Increased time spent in physical
education does not negatively affect
students’ academic achievement.
Physical Education Data and Policy
Strengthen Physical Education in
Schools [PDF – 437 KB]—This data
brief defines physical education,
provides a snapshot of current
physical education practices in the
United States, and highlights ways to Secular Changes in Physical Education
improve physical education through Attendance Among U.S. High School
national guidance and practical Students, YRBS 1991–2013
strategies and resources. This was
developed by Springboard to Active
Schools in collaboration with CDC.
The Secular Changes in Physical
Education Attendance Among U.S.
High School Students report  [PDF – 3
MB]  explains the secular changes
(long-term trends) in physical
education attendance among US
high school students over the past
two decades. Between 1991 and
2013, US high school students’
participation in school-based physical
education classes remained stable,
but at a level much lower than the
national recommendation of daily
physical education. In order to
maximize the benefits of physical
education, the adoption of policies
and programs aimed at increasing
participation in physical education
among all US students should be
prioritized. Download the report for
detailed, nationwide findings.
 

 
Physical Education Analysis Tool
(PECAT)
The Physical Education Curriculum
Analysis Tool (PECAT) [PDF – 6 MB] is
a self-assessment and planning guide
developed by CDC. It is designed to
help school districts and schools
conduct clear, complete, and
consistent analyses of physical
education curricula, based upon
national physical education
standards.
Visit our PECAT page to learn more
about how schools can use this tool.
equipment needed very few places are set up to
do this kind of measurement.