Better Fitness = Better TAKS Scores for Middle School Students

1. Results on each FITNESSGRAM® test are correlated with higher TAKS

scores, a difference of 20-110 points between fitness groups

*difference in mean TAKS scale score between top and bottom fitness quintile adjusted for ethnicity, grade and gender
(n=50,332-74,699)

2. Higher cardiovascular fitness levels are related to higher TAKS scores in

a stair-step fashion

**mean TAKS scale score adjusted for BMI fitness group, ethnicity, grade and gender (n=72,679-72,891)

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 3. Body Mass Index (BMI) has a weak relationship with TAKS scores

***mean TAKS scale score adjusted for cardiovascular fitness group, ethnicity, grade and gender (n=66,426-66,544)

Conclusions:

• In Texas Middle School students in 2007-08, TAKS scores are

significantly higher with higher fitness levels
• The difference between most fit and least fit is 20-110 TAKS points
• Cardiovascular fitness and muscle strength are more highly
correlated with TAKS scores than flexibility and body composition
• Higher cardiovascular fitness corresponds to higher TAKS scores in
a stair-step fashion

About the Analysis

Over 315,000 FITNESSGRAM® and TAKS test records from 2007-08 were collected from 13 Texas
school districts, representing approximately 12% of the 2.6 million children tested. Statistical analysis
was conducted using SAS version 9.2 software. This project was approved by the Institutional Review
Board of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

Principal Investigator: Duncan Van Dusen Masters in Public Health student

Supervision:
Analytical assistance:
Community support:
(contact: duncan.p.van.dusen@uth.tmc.edu)
Dr. Steven Kelder Co-Director, Michael and Susan Dell Center for
Advancement of Healthy Living
Dr. Harold Kohl Professor of Epidemiology; Member of US HHS
Physical Activity Guidelines Steering Committee
Nalini Ranjit Michael and Susan Dell Center for Advancement of
Healthy Living
Dr. Diana Everett Executive Director, TAHPERD
Marissa Rathbone Director of School Health, Texas Education Agency
Dr. Eduardo Sanchez Chief Medical Officer, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of
Texas; Former Commissioner, Texas Department of
State Health Services

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