Revitalization of Historic Pillars Embodying American Adolescence by President Trump
In a significant move towards promoting physical fitness, good nutrition, and American sports culture among young Americans, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order on August 1, 2025, reviving the Presidential Fitness Test.
The Executive Order, which marks a policy shift, aims to reinstate the traditional fitness testing regimen and expand efforts to encourage youth physical fitness nationwide. The Presidential Fitness Test, originally started in 1956 but discontinued in 2012, includes fitness activities such as a one-mile run, pull-ups/push-ups, sit-ups, shuttle run, and sit-and-reach. However, the exact test components under this new Order have not been fully specified yet.
The President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, which was originally established in 1956, has been revitalized and tasked with creating innovative physical education programs that recognize fitness achievements in schools. The Council, which will be chaired by Bryson DeChambeau, includes a diverse group of pro athletes and sports industry leaders such as Saquon Barkley, Gary Bettman, Nick Bosa, Harrison Butker, Cody Campbell, Roger Goodell, Wayne Gretzky, Nelly Korda, Paul "Triple H" Levesque, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Mariano Rivera, Tony Romo, Annika Sörenstam, Tua Tagovailoa, Lawrence Taylor, Matthew Tkachuk, and Mariano Rivera.
The Council's mandate also includes developing criteria for a Presidential Fitness Award and working with athletes, coaches, teams, and schools to promote fitness and healthy living. The initiative also emphasizes fostering American sports culture and military readiness, addressing concerns about declining health and fitness among America's youth.
The Presidential Fitness Test revival is expected to coincide with various major sports events hosted in the U.S. over the next three years, including the Ryder Cup, the President's Cup, the FIFA World Cup, and the Summer Olympics. This move is part of a broader initiative for an American sports renaissance.
In addition, the Council will play an important role in reforming the broken transfer portal in college athletics and aim to keep men out of women's sports. The Presidential Fitness Test has inspired millions of American children for generations, and its revival in public schools, which was discontinued during the Obama administration, is expected to be a significant step towards promoting a healthy lifestyle among young Americans.
- In line with the Executive Order, the Presidential Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition aims to develop criteria for a Presidential Fitness Award.
- The revival of the Presidential Fitness Test, which includes fitness activities such as a one-mile run, is expected to coincide with major sports events like the Ryder Cup and the Summer Olympics.
- The Council, chaired by Bryson DeChambeau, has been tasked with creating innovative physical education programs to encourage youth fitness, as part of a broader initiative for an American sports renaissance.
- The initiative led by the President also emphasizes fostering American sports culture, military readiness, and addressing concerns about declining health and fitness among America's youth, extending to areas like health-and-wellness and fitness-and-exercise.
