Personal Fitness

I found something interesting as I perused the requirements for our new
required Eagle Badge, Personal Fitness. Requirement #t7 states that one
must perform at or above the 50% level for aerobic, flexibility and
strength. The standards are taken form the American Alliance for Health,
Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD, 1980). These
standards clearly state that muscular strength tests are measured over a
two minute period and not the one minute period stated in the merit badge
book as for the 50% level. A quick look at the 50% for a ten year old
indicates 39 sit-ups in one minute for the BSA requirement, but two
minutes for the AAHPERD standard which is the referenced source. It
appears that there has been a translocation problem in transferring the
information. As a sidebar, the 39 sit-ups, if correct, would translate
to 68 in two minutes which is above the minimum requirement for the
Physical Fitness Test given to Air Force Academy Cadets. See what I
mean? The requirement for the 10 yr. old Scout exceeds that for a
military academy cadet who is substantially older, and presumable in
better physical condition.

Muscular Strength Test

Using timed sit-ups, the boy lies on his back with knees flexed, feet on
the floor, and heels 12 to 18 inches from the buttocks. The arms are
crossed on the chest with the hands on the opposite shoulders. The feet
are held by partners to keep them in touch with the floor. The boy curls
to the sitting position until the elbows touch the thighs. Arms must
remain on the chest and the chin remains tucked on the chest. THE NUMBER
OF SIT-UPS THAT THE BOY CAN CORRECTLY DO IN 60 SECONDS IS THE SCORE.

The above is incorrectly written and should state that the number of
sit-ups corresponds to a percentile which is the score.

Bob Rosebrough
Columbia, MD

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