President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday reinstating the Presidential Fitness Test in public schools, a program dormant since 2012, aimed at promoting youth fitness through physical challenges like one-mile runs, sit-ups, pull-ups, and shuttle runs.
Flanked by sports figures including Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, golfer Bryson DeChambeau, former NFL linebacker Lawrence Taylor, and WWE executive Paul “Triple H” Levesque, Trump announced the revival as part of his administration’s push to address declining health among American youth.
The move, administered by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., seeks to foster a culture of strength and activity amid rising obesity rates.
The Presidential Fitness Test, first established under President Dwight Eisenhower in 1956, was a hallmark of physical education, assessing cardiovascular endurance, strength, and flexibility. Students in the top 15% earned the Presidential Physical Fitness Award, a badge of honor for athletic prowess.
Replaced by President Barack Obama’s Presidential Youth Fitness Program in 2013, which prioritized individual health over competitive feats, the test’s return signals a shift toward traditional metrics of fitness. The executive order also revitalizes the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, chaired by DeChambeau, to develop school programs and award criteria, emphasizing partnerships with athletes and sports organizations.
Trump’s announcement, made in the White House Roosevelt Room, underscored his focus on sports during his second term, aligning with upcoming U.S.-hosted events like the 2025 Ryder Cup, 2026 FIFA World Cup, and 2028 Olympics.
“This is a wonderful tradition, and we’re bringing it back,” Trump said, citing the test’s role in fostering “vigor and vitality” since the 1950s. The White House highlighted the “epidemic of declining health,” noting CDC data from 2024 showing 20% of U.S. children aged 6-17 are obese, with sedentary lifestyles and poor nutrition as key drivers.
Supporters, including Kennedy, who called the award a “huge item of pride” from his youth, argue the test will instill competition and discipline.
Critics, however, question the test’s effectiveness and inclusivity. Kinesiologist Laura Richardson, quoted in The New York Times, suggested swapping sit-ups for planks to better assess core strength and called for more physical education resources, especially in secondary schools where activity often declines.
Experts like Kathy Hirsh-Pasek from the Brookings Institution advocate framing fitness as personal progress rather than competition to avoid stigmatizing less athletic students. The test’s historical reliance on exercises like pull-ups, which many children found daunting, drew criticism for fostering humiliation rather than encouragement, as noted in a 2025 EdSource report.
The involvement of controversial figures like Lawrence Taylor, a registered sex offender, at the signing ceremony has sparked debate. While athletes like Butker and Levesque praised the initiative, Taylor’s presence raised eyebrows, with social media posts on Twitter questioning the administration’s vetting process.
Despite this, the council’s high-profile lineup aims to leverage star power to promote fitness, with plans to engage schools through events and media campaigns. The test’s rollout, expected in the 2025-26 school year, will require schools to adapt curricula and train educators, a process overseen by Kennedy’s department.
The order reflects broader conservative efforts to prioritize physical activity, echoed by figures like Vivek Ramaswamy, who campaigned for the test’s return in Ohio.
Proponents argue it will prepare youth for challenges like military readiness, while doubters warn of underfunded schools struggling to implement it effectively.
A 2025 Harvard Health report noted the test’s exercises, including the 30-foot shuttle run and sit-and-reach, adequately measure fitness but require proper execution to avoid injury. Teachers will need updated training to ensure safety and fairness, particularly for students with disabilities or health conditions.
Social media reactions on Twitter range from nostalgia for the test’s competitive spirit to concerns about its psychological impact. The administration’s emphasis on “strength and excellence” aims to counter cultural shifts toward screen time, but critics argue funding for nutrition programs and mental health support would better address holistic wellness.
