AV KIDS MORE UNFIT THAN MOST SCORES POOR IN FITNESS TEST.

Byline: Marci Wormser Staff Writer

PALMDALE - Antelope Valley youngsters performed markedly worse than their statewide counterparts on a test measuring physical fitness.

The California Department of Education last week released results of a physical fitness test taken in spring 2002 by fifth-, seventh- and ninth- graders.

Throughout the state, only 24 percent of students met criteria to be considered physically fit.

Students were deemed physically fit if they met standards in six categories measuring cardiovascular endurance, body composition, abdominal strength and endurance, trunk strength, upper body strength and overall flexibility.

In the Antelope Valley, all six standards were met by just 16.7 percent of Antelope Valley Union High School District ninth-graders, 14.9 percent of Palmdale School District fifth-graders and 20.7 percent of Palmdale seventh-graders.

In the Eastside Union School District, fewer than 1 percent of fifth- graders and 16.8 percent of seventh-graders met the standards.

In the Lancaster School District, the standards were met by 17.8 percent of fifth-graders and 25.6 percent of seventh-graders. At Westside Union School District, 20.7 percent of fifth-graders and 32.7 percent of seventh- graders met the standards.

A culture of fast food, large portions, video games and the Internet as well as an inaccessibility to safe play areas have contributed to a generation of overweight children, suggests Jean Syer, program manager for Antelope Valley Partners for Health, which is helping launch a new youth fitness program.

``I don't know why we fare worse than other areas,'' Syer said of the Antelope Valley fitness statistics. ``I think that's something as a community we need to look at.''

Statewide, the low percentage of physically fit pupils alarmed state education officials.

``I am concerned that such a small percentage of students is meeting the minimum requirements for health-related fitness,'' said Jack O'Connell, state superintendent of public instruction. ``Inactive children are at risk for serious health conditions, many of which may continue into adulthood.''

To assess their physical fitness, students had to perform curl-ups to test their abdominal strength and endurance. They did a trunk lift test, a mile run or walk or a walking test, push-ups or pull-ups. Overall flexibility was measured through a variety of stretching exercises.

``The fact that a majority of students are not aerobically fit indicates a need for more cardiovascular activity,'' O'Connell said. ``Schools should provide the opportunity to address these low levels of physical fitness in our children by providing quality physical education experiences with sound instructional practices.''

The state Department of Education has completed a study to show a relationship between academic achievement and physical fitness.

According to the education department, ``higher achievement was associated with higher levels of fitness at each of the three grade levels measured.''

In addition, the department noted, ``Students who met minimum fitness levels in three or more physical fitness areas showed the greatest gain in academic achievement at all three grade levels.''