The mile run/walk is a measure of fitness and the cardio-respiratory system. This measure is appropriate for preadolescences.
The TNCSH evaluation measures students in grades 2, 4, 6, 8, and HS.
Purpose
Information about the participants’ cardio-respiratory endurance may be use in the following ways:Administration of this measure at the beginning of the program may provide needs assessment information. For example the results of this exercise measures aerobic capacity and endurance, thus indicating the need to participate in a cardiovascular training program.
When this measure is administered prior to and following a program, it is possible to evaluate changes in participants’ aerobic capacity and endurance.
Equipment
A track or any other flat measure area is needed. Examples of appropriately measured areas are the 440-yard or 400-meter track, 110-yard, or 100-meter straightway, other outside fields, or an indoor court area. Stopwatch.
Administration Notes
The mile run/walk is not recommended for children with known medical problems that would be exacerbated by vigorous exercise.
A proper warm-up and cool-down period should be included as a part of the testing session.
To obtain valid and reliable results, participants should be adequately prepared for the test. Proper preparation should include practicing distance running with an emphasis placed on pacing, as well as instruction on proper running, walking and breathing techniques.
Walking is permitted and participants should be informed that they can walk. However, participants should be encouraged to try to maintain a consistent pace and to walk for only short periods of time when necessary.
Motivation is very important in obtaining good results. To help motivate children, fully explain the purpose of the test.
It is recommended that participants work in pairs to help count laps and record times.
Procedure
The TNCSH evaluation measures fitness in students in grades 2, 4, 6, 8, and HS at the end of the educational period (For a full year program measure at the end of the school year and for a semester program measure at the end of the semester).
The one mile run/walk is designed for testing cardio-respiratory endurance. The participants are instructed to run one mile in the fastest time possible. As they cross the finish line, their times should be recorded. Walking is permitted, but the objective is to cover the distance in the shortest time possible. Measuring time at 1/2 mile and doubling it IS NOT permissible.
Scoring and Analysis
The score consists of the participant’s time in seconds to complete the mile run. Participants can be compared with other persons of the same age and sex based on norms provided.
It should be noted that the results of a running test are not entirely determined by cardio-respiratory function. Genetic potential, body composition, efficiency, effort and maturity also contribute to the test results. Thus, the results not only reflect cardio-respiratory fitness, but may also reflect inherited characteristics, running skill, relative leanness, and motivation as well.
Participants who score below the 50th percentile should be encouraged to try to perform up to the median score as a minimum level of cardio-respiratory function. Participants who score above the 50th percentile should be encouraged to improve or maintain a score at or above approximately the 75th percentile.