(WDNews) — President Donald Trump announced Thursday plans to revive the Presidential Fitness Test for American schoolchildren, reinstating a decades-old program designed to promote physical activity among youth.
First introduced in 1966, the fitness test challenged students to complete tasks such as running, situps, pullups or pushups, and a sit-and-reach flexibility test. The program was revamped in 2012 under the Obama administration to focus more on long-term health than athletic performance.
In a statement, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president “wants to ensure America’s future generations are strong, healthy, and successful,” and emphasized the goal of promoting “a culture of strength and excellence for years to come.”
At a White House ceremony Thursday afternoon, Trump signed an executive order to reinstate the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition. The order also reinstates the Presidential Fitness Test and directs Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to oversee its implementation. The council will also create criteria for a new Presidential Fitness Award.
The Health and Human Services Department’s website still features the Obama-era Youth Fitness Program, which aimed to encourage personal health goals rather than comparing athletic ability among students.
Trump’s move aligns with his ongoing focus on athletics. The president, who played baseball in high school and regularly golfs on weekends, has centered many of his 2025 public appearances around sports — including the Super Bowl, Daytona 500, and UFC events.
Thursday’s announcement comes as the U.S. prepares to host major international sporting events: the 2025 Ryder Cup, 2026 FIFA World Cup games, and the 2028 Summer Olympics.
Several notable sports figures were expected to attend the White House event, including pro golfer Bryson DeChambeau; Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker; Swedish golf legend Annika Sorenstam; WWE executive Paul “Triple H” Levesque; and former NFL linebacker Lawrence Taylor.
The fitness test’s revival reflects Trump’s push for a renewed emphasis on traditional athletic achievement in youth education — a shift from recent trends that focus more on individual health metrics.
