NEWSLETTERS - Rent One helps bring Fitnessgram programs to three additional schools

Rent One helps bring Fitnessgram programs to three additional schools

Rent One is helping to expand implementation of an innovative health and fitness program -- Fitnessgram -- aimed at elementary school children by funding the program in three additional schools this year.

The new participating Illinois schools are: West Plains Elementary School, Summersville Grade School and Benton Elementary School.

Rent One owner Larry Carrico was honored earlier this year with a special resolution by the Illinois State Board of Education for his help in initiating the health and fitness program in Mt. Vernon City Schools District 80 which serves around 1,200 school children. See story.

That program was implemented in 2009 and Rent One has since encouraged its managers to look into bringing the program to their communities.

"Education is what it's all about and catching them before they get to the older ages is key," Carrico said. "The physical tie-in with the learning is huge. The connection between a child who is sedimentary and who is fit and active and their ability to learn is huge. Also discipline issues also decline when kids are physically fit and getting that energy out. It's a great program we are proud to be part of."

West Plains Store Manager Joe Montgomery spearheaded bringing the program to West Plains Elementary School; Rent One Manager Terry McLean helped bring Fitnessgram to Summersville Grade School and Rent One President Trent Agin helped bring the program to Benton Elementary School.

Created more than 20 years ago by The Cooper Institute, FITNESSGRAM is based on rock-solid research. It's the only health-related fitness assessment to use criterion-referenced standards, called Healthy Fitness Zones, to determine students' fitness levels based on what is optimal for good health.

Fitnessgram assesses three areas of health-related fitness listed previously. Many test items offer multiple options, so you can choose the method you prefer. Each score is evaluated against criterion-referenced standards that have been established to indicate levels of fitness corresponding with health. Standards have been set for boys and for girls based on age.

The use of health-related criteria helps to minimize comparisons between children and to emphasize personal fitness for health rather than goals based solely on performance. Since only modest amounts of exercise are needed for obtaining health benefits, most students who participate in physical activity almost every day will be able to achieve a score that will place them in the Healthy Fitness Zone.

The assessment items are Aerobic Capacity, Body Composition and Muscular Strength, Endurance, and Flexibility.

For more information on Fitnessgram, go here.