Sixth-Grade Hispanic Boys' and Girls' Performances and Preferences in Cardiovascular Fitness Testing: A Comparison Between the 1-Mile Run and the PACER

The purposes of this study were to determine the performance of primarily Hispanic sixth-grade students for the PACER and the 1-mile run, which cardiovascular test they perceived to require more effort, and what they liked and disliked about both cardiovascular tests. Participants included 103 males and 97 females ages 10 to 12. Each participant completed a multiple-choice survey and was encouraged to provide specific reasons for cardiovascular test preference. Results indicated that higher percentages of both girls and boys achieved passing scores in the PACER and preferred the PACER (72%) to the 1-mile run (28%). Respondents provided strong support for allowing students in this age group to choose between the 1-mile run and the PACER when performing cardiovascular fitness testing.
Cardiovascular (CV) fitness is extremely important for school-aged children. Because heart disease is a major factor in early mortality, Ratey (2009), a fitness expert, strongly advocates incorporating multiple aerobic activity [...]