Northwest Elementary School KidFit Program


Northwest Elementary KidFit Before School P.E.

"We Do More Before 9:00 A.M. Than Most People Do All Day!"

What is KidFit?

The Northwest KidFit program is a three year study of the correlation between physical activity and academic improvement in elementary students. The program is modeled after a high school study done by Neil Duncan in an Illinois high school. The Northwest/Huntington University study is believed to be one of the first in the United States to look at elementary students.

When do activities occur?

Students take a Fall pre-test to establish a baseline for measurement. Students then participate in three 45-minute physical education classes each week for 36 weeks. A Spring post-test is then taken to gather data on the student's improvement to match with the test scores from the school year.

Where do the activities take place?

The morning physical education classes are held at Northwest Elementary School in a room setup with a variety of equipment and outdoors as weather permits. All the pre and post-testing occurs at Huntington University.

Who is developing the study?

Erin Holloway a Physical Education Teacher at Northwest Elementary School coordinates the student morning P.E. class , the collection of test scores with Doug Hinthorn Northwest School Counselor and test administrator, the data collection for the physical activity pre-test and post-test by Matthew Ruiz Huntington University Professor of Exercise Science and Kinesiology, and the assistance of a Huntington University intern. All of these individuals play a vital role in the preparation of the overall study.