Trump Revives Presidential Fitness Test to Address Youth Health Crisis

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to revive the Presidential Fitness Test, which was discontinued during the Obama administration in 2013, as part of a broader campaign to combat declining health and physical fitness among American youth. The test, originally introduced in the 1960s under President Kennedy, assesses cardiovascular strength through exercises such as pull-ups, crunches, and timed runs, and aims to set new health benchmarks as the U.S. approaches its 250th birthday in 2026. The reestablishment of the test is accompanied by the revitalization of the President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, which will coordinate with federal agencies to implement school-based fitness programs, launch public campaigns, and advise on strategies to address childhood obesity, inactivity, and military readiness. While the test evokes mixed reactions due to its history of causing anxiety among children, proponents see it as an important step toward improving national health and fostering a culture of physical excellence. The Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Education will jointly administer the program. This initiative reflects the administration's focus on enhancing youth participation in sports and addressing what it calls a national health crisis.