President Donald Trump has officially brought back the Presidential Fitness Test. On Thursday, July 31, Trump signed an executive order to reinstate the test back into public schools. It was previously in effect from 1963 to 2013.
Obama replaced the Presidential Fitness Test with the Presidential Youth Fitness Program, focused on more individual health than meeting a certain standard. This was done to focus on overall health, with diet included, and shift away from competitiveness amongst peers.
“The program minimizes comparisons between children and instead supports students as they pursue personal fitness goals for lifelong health,” reads the previous description.
The Trump administration has not yet announced what the new test will consist of, but it previously included some combination of push-ups, sit-ups, running and reaching for toes while seated. Those scoring within a top percentage were eligible to receive a Presidential Physical Fitness Award.
Requirements for the new iteration of the test will be determined by the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition. The counselor chair, Bryson DeChambeau, was at the signing, and other members of the board include notable names, such as Harrison Butker, Lawrence Taylor and Annika Sorenstam.
“This council will play an important role in shaping these new policies and ensuring that we preserve the American athletic tradition for many generations to come,” said Trump.
Trump wrote in the executive order that, “Rates of obesity, chronic disease, inactivity, and poor nutrition are at crisis levels, particularly among our children. These trends weaken our economy, military readiness, academic performance, and national morale.”
The test is being brought back to address these health concerns for children in the United States.
