HFA Supports Return of President’s Council and National Fitness Test for Youth
Krissy Vann | Host, All Things Fitness and Wellness
The nation’s youth fitness standards are making a return. President Donald J. Trump has signed an Executive Order to reestablish the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition and reinstate the Presidential Physical Fitness Test as a national benchmark for school-aged children.
The Health & Fitness Association welcomed the decision, saying it could help address what it described as a growing crisis of physical inactivity and obesity among young Americans.
“Physical inactivity is taking a toll on every aspect of our nation—from rising rates of anxiety and depression to record levels of obesity and even weakened military readiness,” said Liz Clark, president and CEO of the Health & Fitness Association. “Today, an estimated 60% of young Americans fail to meet weight eligibility and physical preparation standards for participating in basic training, largely due to obesity, inactivity, and other preventable health issues.”
Clark added that the HFA “commends the administration for restoring national leadership on youth fitness” and said the reinstatement of the President’s Council and Fitness Test “affirms that physical activity is a public health priority.”
The HFA pointed to data showing that only 16 percent of high school students meet national physical activity guidelines for both aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities during leisure time. Among adults, 75 percent do not meet recommended levels for both types of activity. Nearly 90 percent of the nation’s $4.9 trillion in annual healthcare spending is devoted to treating chronic diseases and mental health conditions, with physical inactivity cited as a contributing factor.
Mike Goscinski, vice president of government affairs for the HFA, said the timing of the Executive Order is significant. “The return of the President’s Council and Fitness Test comes at a pivotal time. Our national network of fitness facilities and professionals is uniquely positioned to support this mission by offering access, infrastructure, and proven expertise in youth engagement,” Goscinski said. “We stand ready to partner with the Council to bring these goals to life in communities across the country.”
According to the HFA, the fitness industry can support the PCSFN by partnering with local facilities to host assessments and school-aligned programs, providing expertise in program design and evaluation, identifying underserved communities to expand access, and participating in public awareness campaigns on the importance of regular physical activity.
