US President Donald Trump plans to order schools to bring back the presidential fitness test, a 1966 program that requires children to run, do situ/pulp and perform flexibility tests.
At the White House ceremony on Thursday, Trump intends to sign papers that restart the program and state that they will create a “culture of strength” for American youth. The test is replaced by Michelle Obama “Let’s Move”, which focused on personal health targets instead of athletic scores.
Minister of Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The program will be launched for students and will propose new fitness prices.
Why did the fitness program change
The original test included children against the national average until 2012, when the Obama administration passed to measure individual progress. Their updated version encouraged students to “watch personal fitness goals” rather than compete. Trump’s revival means a return to standardized athletic benchmarks. Children will be tested again at:
- Perseverance (running)
- The force of the upper part of the body (handles/pullups)
- Core Fitness (SITUPS)
- Flexibility (Sit-and-Reach Test)
Sports event and controversial guests
This announcement comes when America is preparing to host the Ryder Cup 2025, 2026 World Cup FIFA and 2028 Olympic Games. Trump, known for his golf trips and performances of sports events, invited athletes with a complicated background to sign:
- Golfing Bryson Brazambeau (Trump’s frequent golf partner)
- Kicker Harrison Butker (criticized for comments on female roles)
- Golfer Annika Sorenstam (facing the will for the acceptance of Trump’s Medal of Freedom)
- Former NFL player Lawrence Taylor
Schools will receive updated testing instructions by September 2025. Although Trump’s team promises “fair standards”, educators are afraid that children take care of disabilities.
The debate reflects the last fitness battle: John F. Kennedy warned in 1960 that American youth became “soft”, while Michelle Obama fought with childhood obesity through nutrition. Since this 60 -year program will restart, it reign the question: should there be fitness about victory or wellness?
(Tagstotranslate) Presidential test Fitness test
