Trump revives Presidential Fitness Test: What exercises are to be done; what's the award
The controversial relic of the Cold War era had been abandoned by the Obama administration back in 2012. However, Trump, flanked by sports personalities including WWE's chief content officer, Triple H, brought back the test, with the US President speaking about his love for sports on the occasion.
'For far too long, the physical and mental health of the American people has been neglected. Rates of obesity, chronic disease, inactivity, and poor nutrition are at crisis levels, particularly among our children. These trends weaken our economy, military readiness, academic performance, and national morale,' Trump observed.
What is the Presidential Fitness Test?
Former President Eisenhower formed the President's Council on Youth Fitness in 1956, at a time when there were concerns about Americans underperforming, in terms of physical strength, as compared to their US counterparts.
Also Read | 'Why is Triple H here?': Internet asks as Trump restores fitness test in schools
The study, which was popular at the time, sought to measure muscle strength through six exercises. It had found that 58 per cent American children failed in at least one area, as compared with the single digit share when it came to European kids.
Eisenhower sought to reverse this and achieve a 'more completely fit American youth'. John F Kennedy, as president-elect, built on this in December 1960, when he published a piece titled 'The Soft American' in Sports Illustrated.
Later, the council formalized the Presidential Physical Fitness Award Program, when Lyndon B Johnson was president. A system was then created so students performing in the top 15 per cent would get an award from the President.
What is in the Presidential Fitness Test?
While individual activities in the Presidential Fitness Test has changed with time, Harvard Health Publishing notes that five core items have remained the same, namely, a 1-mile run; pullups or pushups; sit-ups; shuttle run; and the sit-and-reach.
While reviving the test, Trump notes that he wants 'bold and innovative fitness goals for American youth with the aim of fostering a new generation of healthy, active citizens.'
What does the Presidential Fitness Award include?
The Presidential Fitness Award included a certificate, signed by the President of the United States, and a blue patch with an embroidered American eagle.
'Inspired by the initial Presidential Fitness Challenge in my youth, I remain very active and fit. I have completed seven Ironman distance triathlons and ten marathons. My wife and I race several times a year. It's our lifestyle choice,' Michael Nagel, President and CEO of Vomaris Innovations, had shared.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
29 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
‘It's those lips…'; Trump's praise for Karoline Leavitt's face sparks uproar, netizens reveal ‘disturbing' Epstein link
President Donald Trump has lauded his White official Karoline Leavitt, claiming that no one has been a greater press secretary than her and that she has become a celebrity in her current position. The POTUS added that he adores her face, intellect and also enjoys 'the way her lips move.' U.S. President Donald Trump praised White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, saying: 'She's great. She's a great person, actually. I don't think anybody has ever had a better press secretary than Karoline. She's been amazing."(REUTERS) Leavitt, who was named press secretary for Trump on November 15, 2024, is the White House's youngest press secretary ever. On Thursday, Leavitt endorsed Trump's demand for the Nobel Peace Prize, stating that he has played a significant role in resolving multiple global crises. Leavitt reaffirmed the appeal for the Nobel Peace Prize, claiming that in his six months as US president, Trump has produced at least one peace agreement every month. In an interview with Newsmax presenter Rob Finnerty on Friday night, Trump praised Leavitt, stating, "'It's that face. It's that brain. It's those lips, the way they move. They move like she's a machine gun.' Trump continued by praising her growing notoriety, saying, 'She's great. She's a great person, actually. I don't think anybody has ever had a better press secretary than Karoline. She's been amazing.' Fumed netizens react Reacting to Trump's remarks, several people highlighted his bond with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, with one writing: 'When Trump talks about women, it's almost always about their looks or sexuality. Rarely their intellect or accomplishments. That pattern makes his disturbing connection with Epstein, and their shared obsession with young girls, all the more believable.' 'He's a creepy old man. He doesn't even understand what he just said. Major yikes,' another said. 'Trump's comments are sick and twisted!' a third person stated. Also Read: Trump's no pardon for 'half-innocent' Diddy sparks 50 Cent's mocking reaction; 'I told you I was gonna tell him…' Trump announces will 'release everything' related to Epstein Files During an interview with Newsmax host Rob Finnerty, Trump stated that he intends to make 'everything' about the document that exposed the wrongdoings of Epstein public, only hours after a shocking claim surfaced that the FBI had "redacted" his name from the Epstein Files. Trump also discussed Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche's nine-hour talk with Ghislaine Maxwell, the ex-girlfriend off the late sex offender, at a federal prison estate in Florida. 'I think [Blanche] probably wanted to know, you know, just to get a feeling of it, because we'd like to release everything, but we don't want people to get hurt that shouldn't be hurt,' Trump told Finnerty. 'I want to release everything,' the president declared. 'I just don't want people to get hurt.' Trump went on to say, "I think Todd went in just to make sure that innocent people aren't hurt." He insisted that he has not discussed Maxwell with his deputy attorney general and is unsure if a transcript of the interview would be made public.
Time of India
29 minutes ago
- Time of India
'U.S N-Subs On Gunpoint': Moscow's FIRST Ferocious Response To Trump Deploying Nuclear Submarines
After US President Trump confirmed moving two nuclear submarines near Russian waters, Russian Duma official Viktor Vodolatsky dismissed it as "political theater," stating that Russia has "significantly more" submarines and that Trump's "two boats" have "been in our sights for a long time." He emphasized Trump's instability and called for diplomacy. Trump's move followed "highly provocative" remarks from former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who referenced the Cold War-era "Dead Hand" nuclear retaliation system on Telegram, mocking Trump's ultimatum strategy and warning of a direct war with the US, not just Ukraine. Read More
New Indian Express
29 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
Israeli fire kills at least 18 in Gaza, US envoy visits hostage family protest
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip: Hospitals in Gaza reported the killing of more than a dozen people, eight of them food-seekers, by Israeli fire on Saturday as Palestinians endured severe risks in their search for food amid airdrops and restrictions on overland aid delivery. Near a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) distribution site, Yahia Youssef, who had come to seek aid Saturday morning, described a panicked scene now grimly familiar. After helping carry out three people wounded by gunshots, he said he looked around and saw many others lying on the ground bleeding. 'It's the same daily episode,' Youssef said. In response to questions about several eyewitness accounts of violence at the northernmost of the Israeli-backed American contractor's four sites, the GHF media office said 'nothing (happened) at or near our sites.' The episode came a day after US officials visited one site and US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee called GHF's distribution 'an incredible feat.' International outrage has mounted as the group's efforts to deliver aid to hunger-stricken Gaza have been marred by violence and controversy. 'We weren't close to them (the troops) and there was no threat,' Abed Salah, a man in his 30s who was among the crowds close to the GHF site near Netzarim corridor, said. 'I escaped death miraculously.' The danger facing aid seekers in Gaza has compounded what international hunger experts this week called a 'worst-case scenario of famine' in the besieged enclave. Israel's nearly 22-month military offensive against Hamas has shattered security in the territory of some 2 million Palestinians and made it nearly impossible to deliver food safely to starving people.
