Daijiworld Media Network – Washington
Washington, Aug 1: In a significant throwback to past decades, US President Donald Trump has reinstated the Presidential Fitness Test for American schoolchildren—a once-prominent health and fitness assessment that was discontinued during the Obama administration.
"This is a wonderful tradition, and we're bringing it back," Trump declared while signing the executive order at a special event held on Thursday. The test, originally introduced in 1966, had been restructured in 2012 into the Youth Fitness Program, which shifted focus from competitive performance to individual health benchmarks.
The revived initiative will be overseen by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and will include traditional assessments like 1-mile runs, pushups, sit-ups, and flexibility tests.
Trump also reactivated the President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, appointing several high-profile names from the sports world, including golfer Bryson DeChambeau, NFL kicker Harrison Butker, golf legend Annika Sorenstam, WWE’s Paul “Triple H” Levesque, and former NFL linebacker Lawrence Taylor—a registered sex offender who has previously faced criminal charges.
While Trump has always identified strongly with sports, even reminiscing about his own school days playing baseball and his continued passion for golf, this move aligns with his broader ambitions to revive athletic culture in the United States. His recent domestic travels have heavily revolved around attending major sporting events such as the Super Bowl, Daytona 500, and UFC matches.
The announcement coincides with the nation's preparations for hosting major global events: the 2025 Ryder Cup, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the 2028 Summer Olympics.
The newly formed council, which will have up to 30 members, is also tasked with addressing college athletic reforms, including the transfer portal and clarifying the employment status of college athletes. It will also set standards for a revived Presidential Fitness Award.
The original fitness test, phased out over concerns about its competitive nature, had emphasized peer comparisons, whereas the Obama-era program aimed at encouraging personal health improvements and lifelong fitness habits. Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign had further shifted focus toward reducing childhood obesity through diet and exercise.
The presence of controversial figures at Thursday’s event stirred debate. Taylor, who has appeared at Trump’s rallies, said, “I don’t know what we’re supposed to be doing, but I’m here to serve.” Meanwhile, Harrison Butker—known for his conservative views on gender and family—has launched a PAC to promote traditional Christian values.
Despite the polarizing optics, fitness experts welcomed the spotlight on youth health. Laura Richardson, a kinesiology professor at the University of Michigan, emphasized the need to pair the test with programs that support individual progress.
“It’s not just, you get a score and you’re doomed,” she said. “But you get a score, and we can figure out a program that really helps the improvement.”
As the United States turns its attention back to fitness under Trump’s leadership, reactions remain divided—but the spotlight on student health and sport is firmly back in the national conversation.