On 31/7, former US President Donald Trump signed an executive order reinstating the Presidential Physical Fitness Test (PPFT) in public schools after a decade-long hiatus. He declared this move part of his Making America Healthy Again strategy, addressing the youth health crisis.
 |
Trump holds the signed executive order in the Roosevelt Room at the White House on 31/7. Photo: AP |
Trump holds the signed executive order in the Roosevelt Room at the White House on 31/7. Photo: AP
Implemented in 1966 under President Lyndon B. Johnson, the PPFT assesses core physical skills. These include a timed one-mile run for cardiovascular endurance, curl-ups for abdominal strength, pull-ups or push-ups for upper body strength, sit-and-reach for back and hamstring flexibility.
High-scoring students (generally above 85 points) receive a Presidential Physical Fitness Award bearing the presidential seal. Students take the test twice a year, in spring and fall.
In 2012, the Obama administration replaced the PPFT with the Presidential Youth Fitness Program. This program focused on individual health metrics like body mass index (BMI) and aerobic capacity, emphasizing personalized goals over standardized competition.
Trump's reinstated program reverts to the original tests, overseen by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. This decision comes amid warnings from the US Department of Health and Human Services about youth health.
A May report from the department revealed American children face more chronic health issues than ever, primarily due to inactivity and poor diets. The severity led Kennedy to label it a "health emergency."
The report cited a study from the Active Play Coalition showing concerning statistics: over 70% of American children aged 6 to 17 (and 85% of adolescents) didn't meet the 2024 Federal Guidelines for daily physical activity (requiring moderate to vigorous activity daily).
The Trump administration believes reinstating the competitive PPFT will motivate students to exercise, improve fitness, and take responsibility for their health.
Hong Hanh (India Times)
