THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, April 24, 1995 TAG: 9504240042
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JANET DUNPHY, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 97 lines
Students are having a hard time in school, but not just academically, according to a report by the state Department of Education. They're struggling to the top of the chin-up bar.
Students in Hampton Roads, as well as statewide, are failing annual school physical fitness tests - a combination of four exercises including the pull-up, curl-ups, the V-sit and a one-mile run/walk - because they can't do pull-ups. The state sets the guidelines for the tests, which kids generally take in the fall and spring.
Pull-ups are ``extremely hard for students who don't have upper body strength and don't use those muscles on a regular basis,'' said Vicki Swecker, senior coordinator for health, safety, physical education and athletics for Norfolk Public Schools. ``That is one of the areas we fall down on.''
The percentage of South Hampton Roads students who passed the tests last year ranged from a high of 49 percent for Norfolk middle schoolers to a low of 15 percent for Portsmouth students of the same age, according to the state's annual report card on schools.
The low scores prompted Cameron Harris, the state Department of Education's director of assessment and accountability, to take a second look at the numbers.
Harris suspected human error, but instead discovered that the pull-up was responsible. Failing the pull-up had caused most students to fail the test overall, she said, because students must pass all four components to pass the entire test.
``That's traditionally the lowest-scoring area,'' she said.
Students do not appear to have as much trouble with curl-ups, which test abdominal strength; the V-sit, which tests flexibility; and the one-mile run/walk, which tests cardiovascular fitness.
``In the mile run, if you start running students at the beginning of the year, by April or May a lot of kids can pass and do real well,'' Swecker said. ``But even if you practice pull-ups, they don't do well.''
Physical education directors say the pull-up is a unique exercise because it requires people to lift their entire body weight. Instructors say pull-ups are particularly hard for girls, who previously were allowed to do a flexed-arm hang instead.
The state's rules for performing a successful pull-up are specific: There is no time limit; the body must be fully extended, and feet are not allowed to touch the ground; small students can be lifted to the hanging position; the chin must clear the bar without touching; and no swinging, kicking or other body movement is allowed. Students must complete one pull-up to pass.
Most students can't do the pull-up because they don't train for it, said Bonnie Tjeerdsma, assistant professor of health, physical education and recreation at Old Dominion University. One method of training that she said appeals to kids is playing on a scooter board, a large skate board that is maneuvered with the arms.
Area athletic directors say they try to prepare students by encouraging them to practice the exercise and to participate in intramural sports as well as activities outside of school.
Virginia Beach schools use a special $700 machine called the pull-up trainer. Officials say it is helping.
But students don't buy that.
``The schools got ripped off,'' said Joe Marino, a Bayside High senior who said the practice bar does no good. ``You aren't practicing an actual pull-up with your full body weight. It's just impractical.''
Virginia Beach also administers the physical fitness test several times during the school year and allows the student to keep the best overall score, said Ginger Jenkot, program coordinator for health and physical education.
``It's working,'' Jenkot said. ``The kids are happier.''
``I think if it (the pull-up requirement) was re-evaluated, the odds are it wouldn't stay,'' said Jimmie Williford, specialist for health, physical education and athletics for Portsmouth schools. ``It's easier for kids to shoot for something they can improve.''
Williford said Portsmouth has installed chin-up bars in school cafeterias in an effort to help students train for the test. Portsmouth doesn't have any pull-up trainers. ``Financially, it's tight,'' he said.
Only a few of the Norfolk schools have pull-up trainers, Swecker said. They were purchased with PTA funds.
``I'm sure as more research is done,'' she said, ``this test will change and get better.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color staff photo by D. KEVIN ELLIOTT
Seventh-graders Jason Smith and Melissa Cromwell practice on a
pull-up trainer at Brandon Middle School. Last year, 35 percent of
Virginia Beach's middle school students could do one pull-up.
Staff graphic by John Earle
Source: Virginia Department of Education
Physically Fit ?
Percentage of Hampton Roads students passing the states physical
test in 1993-94:
For copy of graphic, see microfilm
by CNB