WASHINGTON — The presidential fitness test, a prominent feature of school education from the 1960s to the 2010s, has been reinstated as part of health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s initiative to enhance youth health and tackle chronic diseases.
Specialists in youth physical activity view it as a positive step towards boosting children’s activity levels, but not a comprehensive solution to the increasing sedentary lifestyles among kids. Experts consulted by STAT emphasize that fitness assessments should be complemented by strategies that engage children in exercise and prevent negative perceptions of physical activity.
“The bottom line is that measuring fitness does not create fitness,” stated Avery Faigenbaum, a health and exercise science professor at the College of New Jersey, in a conversation with STAT.
“Fitness testing is sort of a double-edged sword,” he added. “We can identify children who need intervention, but this kind of testing can be embarrassing and can turn people off from physical activity.”
Kennedy unveiled the framework of the new test during an event in Atlantic City on Monday, joined by WWE star Paul Levesque, also known as Triple H. This follows an executive order from the president last year to revive the test, which had been discontinued in 2012, and established a White House task force led by golfer Bryson DeChambeau, with Levesque as vice chair.
The latest version of the test remains largely unchanged from previous ones. It includes a timed run, an upper-body strength test, and a core test, with performance benchmarks based on a child’s age and gender. All participants receive certificates acknowledging their participation or achievement of goals.
The Department of Health and Human Services has reported that several states have committed to incorporating the test into their school curriculums, though specific states were not named.
Experts recognize a growing trend of inactivity among children, likely due to increased screen time and busy parents. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey from 2023 revealed that only about 25% of students met the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity, a concerning issue given rising obesity rates and the positive link between physical activity and academic achievement.
Historically, various administrations have attempted to address this issue. In the 1960s, Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson advocated for a national physical fitness program, which included awards for outstanding performance. Under the Obama administration, the test was replaced with a more adaptable youth fitness program.
Kennedy expressed regret over discontinuing the test, stating, “We literally have the sickest population in the world,” in an interview with NewsNation.
The relaunched test, along with a new website to promote participation, aims to equip parents, schools, and communities with tools to help children develop healthy habits, improve their physical fitness, and realize their potential, according to a statement by Kennedy.
Experts in youth physical activity who spoke with STAT commend the initiative for drawing attention to the need for increased movement among children. They note that the new test offers valuable measures by focusing on both strength and cardiovascular fitness.
However, some experts caution that emphasizing specific activity benchmarks might discourage some children from exercising.
A 2018 survey of over 1,000 participants across the U.S., published in the Translational Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine, found a link between negative school physical activity experiences and later sedentary behaviors.
“The worst experiences that people tend to report are something having to do with embarrassment. That was the leading indicator. A lot of people felt that with the old [presidential fitness] test, which, unfortunately, shares a lot of similarities with the new one,” said study co-author Matthew Ladwig, an assistant professor of integrative human health at Purdue University Northwest, in an interview with STAT.
When asked by NewsNation about avoiding harm to children’s self-esteem, Kennedy stated, “Failure is a part of life,” noting that WWE stars like Triple H have lost battles but continue to persevere. (WWE matches are scripted.)
Ladwig pointed out that the nature of failure is important: “When failure is private, supported, and framed as progress, it can be motivating,” he noted. “But the type of failure that often comes with fitness testing is public and witnessed by peers.”
The fitness test can inspire some students, particularly those who are athletic and competitive, according to Adam Annaccone, a clinical associate professor in kinesiology at the University of Texas at Arlington. However, it should be accompanied by a comprehensive education on healthy living, with youth physical-activity programs that are multimodal, focusing on cardiovascular fitness, strength, and balance.
Annaccone and Faigenbaum both emphasized the need for children to have access to safe, noncompetitive activities like school recess and to have positive role models, such as parents.
Crucially, experts agree, activities must be enjoyable for children to want to participate repeatedly.
“Kids engage when it’s fun,” Faigenbaum concluded.
