About

About FitnessGram®

Our mission is to empower educators, students, and families with comprehensive fitness assessment tools and insightful data, fostering a culture of health and well-being.

Our Story:
A Legacy of Innovation and Impact

FitnessGram's story is one of passion, innovation, and commitment. Dr. Kenneth H. Cooper, the visionary "Father of Aerobics," established The Cooper Institute and, with it, FitnessGram – the first student fitness report card. Our journey began in 1982, and since then, we've been pioneers in health-related fitness assessment, touching the lives of over 10 million students in more than 20,000 schools. Our robust assessments, grounded in the scientifically established Healthy Fitness Zone® standards, have become the cornerstone of physical education programs nationwide

Our Story:
A Legacy of Innovation and Impact

FitnessGram's story is one of passion, innovation, and commitment. Dr. Kenneth H. Cooper, the visionary "Father of Aerobics," established The Cooper Institute and, with it, FitnessGram – the first student fitness report card. Our journey began in 1982, and since then, we've been pioneers in health-related fitness assessment, touching the lives of over 10 million students in more than 20,000 schools. Our robust assessments, grounded in the scientifically established Healthy Fitness Zone® standards, have become the cornerstone of physical education programs nationwide

Our Story:
A Legacy of Innovation and Impact

FitnessGram's story is one of passion, innovation, and commitment. Dr. Kenneth H. Cooper, the visionary "Father of Aerobics," established The Cooper Institute and, with it, FitnessGram – the first student fitness report card. Our journey began in 1982, and since then, we've been pioneers in health-related fitness assessment, touching the lives of over 10 million students in more than 30,000 schools. Our robust assessments, grounded in the scientifically established Healthy Fitness Zone® standards, have become the cornerstone of physical education programs nationwide.
Why FitnessGram?
At the heart of FitnessGram is a foundational belief: every student deserves to lead a healthy, active life. Beyond simple fitness assessment, FitnessGram is crucial in identifying potential risks for chronic illnesses, providing early interventions that set students on a path to lifelong health.
A Holistic Approach to Student Wellness
Understanding that daily physical activity is essential not just for physical health but also for cognitive development, FitnessGram offers more than measurements; it's a commitment to active living. Our program nurtures an environment where quality physical education and daily activity are celebrated, enhancing student wellness and academic performance.
40 Years of Trust and Excellence
Our legacy spans over four decades of research and continuous enhancement, backed by our esteemed Scientific Advisory Board. This dedication has established FitnessGram as the premier fitness assessment tool, trusted globally for its accuracy and reliability in promoting student health and educational outcomes.
Data-Driven, Future-Focused
Trend Analysis
Monitor and understand shifts in student fitness levels to guide tailored health programs.
Academic Correlation
Uncover the strong connection between physical health and academic success.
Program Enhancement
Tailor and enrich physical education programs based on concrete data
Healthy Environment Creation
Advocate for prevention and well-being in school settings
Resource Allocation
Identify and address funding needs effectively, ensuring resources are channeled where they can make the most significant impact
Community Engagement
Strengthen the bond between parents, teachers, and students through shared goals
Scientific Validation and Leadership: The FitnessGram® Advisory Board
A Council of Expertise The FitnessGram Advisory Board (FAB) is the cornerstone of our commitment to scientific rigor and educational excellence. Comprising leading minds in kinesiology, exercise physiology, nutrition, epidemiology, and health education, the FAB is instrumental in shaping the future of fitness education.
Contributions of the FAB
Expert Guidance
and Innovation
With top experts in health, fitness, and education, FAB members provide guidance for the program's evolution by extending their knowledge of physical activity and fitness, which provides essential direction on the structure and progression.
Visibility
and Advocacy

Comprised of researchers, educators, and practitioners, the board ensures that FitnessGram is rooted in the latest science and best practices. The board champions our mission, fostering its recognition and adoption.
Research Advancement

Their commitment to research ensures that FitnessGram stands on a foundation of the latest scientific insights, maintaining the program's credibility, effectiveness, and alignment with the promotion of lifelong physical health for students.
Meet Our Advisory
Board Members
Our board members are not just leaders in their fields – they are advocates for healthier, more educated generations. Get to know the individuals whose vision and dedication make FitnessGram a leader in fitness education:
Kelly Allums-Featherston, PhD
- Physical Education Teacher at Kimball Elementary, Mesquite ISD
- Youth Education Research Coordinator with The Cooper Institute
- Adjunct Professor at Texas Christian University and Texas Woman's University
Scott Going, PhD
- Professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences and in Physiological Sciences
- Director of the Center for Physical Activity and  Nutrition at The University of Arizona
Kathleen F. Janz, EdD
- Professor Emeritus in the Department of Health and Human Physiology at  the University of Iowa, with a secondary appointment in the Department  of Epidemiology at the College of Public Health
Matthew Mahar, EdD
- Professor and Director, School of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences, San Diego State University
Kelly R. Laurson, PhD
- Professor, School of Kinesiology and Recreation at Illinois State University
Marilu Dooley Meredith, EdD
- FitnessGram Scientific Advisory Board Member, The Cooper Institute
Sharon Plowman, PhD
- Professor Emeritus in the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education at Northern Illinois University
Stephen Pont, MD, MPH, FAAP
- Assistant Professor of Pediatrics Medical Director, Texas Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Childhood Obesity Medical Director
- Austin ISD Student Health Services UT Southwestern
- Austin Department of Pediatrics UT Austin – Department of Advertising, Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas

Georgi Roberts, MLS
- Director of Health, Physical Education & Coordinated Health for Fort Worth ISD
Gregory J. Welk, PhD
- Barbara E. Forker Professor with the Department of Kinesiology at Iowa State University
Weimo Zhu, PhD
- Professor at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
EMERITUS MEMBERS
Steve N. Blair, PED
Charles B. Corbin, PhD
Kirk J. Cureton, PhD
Harold B. Falls, Jr, PhD
Baker C. Harrell, PhD
Dolly Lambdin, PhD
Timothy G. Lohman, PhD
James Morrow Jr., PhD
Robert P. Pangrazi, PhD
Russell R. Pate, PhD
Jodi Prochaska, PhD, MP
Sarajane Quinn, MS
Margaret J. Safrit, PhD
James F. Sallis, PhD
Charles Sterling, EdD, Founder

Dr. Harold W. (Bill) Kohl, III (Fellow #468)
1960 - 2024

We Remember Dr. Bill Kohl, III

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Dr. Harold Kohl, III, a cherished member of the FitnessGram® Advisory Board and a true pioneer in the field of physical activity and public health.

Bill’s extraordinary contributions began at The Cooper Institute in 1984, where he served as a statistician and dedicated his career to the epidemiology of physical activity. As the director of the Division of Childhood and Adolescent Health, Bill played a pivotal role in the development of FITNESSGRAM®, advancing our understanding of physical fitness as a critical factor in public health.

Renowned for his groundbreaking research and unwavering commitment to improving public health, Bill’s influence extended far and wide, inspiring countless professionals in the fields of epidemiology, public health, and physical activity.

His legacy will live on through the lives he touched and the transformative impact of his work. We honor Bill’s memory and are deeply grateful for his decades of dedication to creating healthier futures for all.

#InMemory #HaroldKohl #FITNESSGRAM #PublicHealthPioneer

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