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Objective: To measure upper body strength by maximum number of pull-ups completed.
Equipment: A horizontal bar approximately one and one-half inches in diameter at a height from which the student can hang with arms fully extended and feet off the floor.
Testing: Student hangs from a horizontal bar with arms and body fully extended, feet free from floor, using an overhand grasp (palms facing away from body) or an underhand grip (palms facing toward the body). Small students may be lifted to starting position. Student raises body until chin clears the bar, and then lowers body to full-hang starting position. Student performs as many correct pull-ups as possible.
Rules: Pull-ups should be done in a smooth rather than a jerky motion. Kicking or bending the legs is not permitted, and the body should not swing during the movement.
Scoring: Total number of pull-ups that student performs correctly.
Objective: To measure upper body strength by completing as many push-ups as possible at a rhythmic pace.
Equipment: Mat or other clean and cushioned surface, metronome, or audio tape.
Testing: The student lies face down on the cushioned surface in push-up position with hands under shoulders, fingers straight, and legs straight, parallel, and slightly apart, with the toes supporting the feet. The student straightens the arms, keeping the back and knees straight, then lowers the body until there is a 90- degree angle at the elbows, with the upper arms parallel to the floor. A partner holds her/his hands at the point of the 90 - degree angle so that the student being tested goes down only until her/his shoulders touch the partner's hands, then back up again. The push-ups are performed to a metronome, audio tape, or to the test administrator's "Up, Down" command, with one complete push-up every three seconds, and are continued until the student has not done the last three on pace.
Scoring: Record only those push-ups done with proper form and in rhythm.
Rationale: The right angle push-ups are recommended for upper body strength testing because the student's body weight has less effect than it does on pull-ups. Right angle push-ups incorporate the use of all upper body muscles, therefore providing a better indicator of student's strength/endurance; whereas many are unable to do any pull-ups.
Objective: To measure upper body strength by maintaining the flexed-arm hang position as long as possible.
Equipment: A horizontal bar approximately one and one-half inches in diameter placed at a height from which the student can hang with arms and legs fully extended and feet off the floor, and a stopwatch.
Testing: Using either the underhand or overhand grip, the student assumes a flexed-arm hang position with chin clearing the bar. A student may be lifted to this position. Student, on the start Signal, holds this position as long as possible.
Rules: Chest should be held close to the bar and legs should be hanging straight. Time stops when student's chin touches or falls below the bar.
Scoring: Record the number of seconds/minutes the student maintains the proper flexed-arm hanging position.
Appendix A provides the standards to determine if a student is within the upper body strength Wellness Zone
