News.Scotland.Org

Scotland, Oct 29: In a bid to develop healthy habits in younger generation, the secondary school pupils in Edinburgh will be given regular fitness tests. This fitness tests mainly aims to tackle obesity which is on a rapid increase and causing many health related issues. Under this scheme youngsters will undergo fitness test in the interval of every few months and the report card stating their fitness level will be given to their parents.

Based on their fitness level pupils will be given chance to improve their health by indulging in additional sports activity and after school clubs. As a pilot initiative S1 pupils of Trinity Academy were put under the fitness test, if the test proved to be successful then it will be implemented in other part of the city.

The fitness test includes 12 minute runs, alertness test during shuttle runs and the ability test to run in different directions. Students were also tested on how long they could stay in a ‘plank’ position by holding themselves on their tiptoes and elbows. Gunners’ rugby stars and PE teachers were invited to encourage the students to participate in the fitness test. In total 180 pupils took part in the tests of speed, agility, strength and endurance.

In an attempt to make the students aware of the adverse effects of smoking more tests will be included to measure the overall health that include their diets and lung capacity. It is expected that the frequent lung capacity tests will gradually discourage youngsters to get rid of the smoking habit in the future. Pupils were not compelled to participate in the fitness tests they all voluntarily participated in the test with the whole hearted support of their parents.

A recent health statistics shows that 22 per cent of P1 pupils in Scotland are overweight while among the P7 classes it is 34 percent i.e. one-fifth of the students are obese.

While commenting on this initiative by the Trinity academy, City’s Education leader Chancellor Marilyne MacLaren said: “It’s great that Trinity has come up with this idea and I will look at how it develops. If Trinity can show this is a way for young people to get fitter, that is something I would be happy to publicise as good practice.”

The pupils of the Trinity academy will be tested again next February to find how the fitness levels of the students have improved. It is a good move by the Trinity academy to bring proper health awareness in students. This will help in developing healthy citizens in future years to come.

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