Various industry groups, including the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the Health & Fitness Association, and the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, among others, announced their support of the president’s executive order to reestablish the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition, and to reinstate the Presidential Fitness Test for U.S. schoolchildren.
“These important initiatives align with ACSM’s vision and mission, and we applaud their reinstatement,” said ACSM President Carrie Jaworski, M.D., FACSM. “This decision marks a significant step toward reversing dangerous trends by promoting physical activity and wellness among young Americans, and we urge the council to draw upon ACSM’s expertise—particularly on youth conditioning and exercise programming—to optimize both safety and impact.”
The Health & Fitness Association outlined the need for urgent federal leadership to address the country’s declining physical health:
- Only one in six high school students (16%) meet the national physical activity guidelines for both aerobic and muscle-strengthening exercises during leisure time.
- Among adults, 75% do not meet recommended physical activity guidelines for both aerobic and muscle-strengthening exercise.
- Nearly 90% of the nation’s $4.9 trillion in annual healthcare spending goes toward treating people with chronic diseases and mental health conditions, with physical inactivity identified as a major contributing risk factor.
- Rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes and anxiety among children and teens have continued to climb, exacerbated by sedentary behaviors and reduced access to physical education in schools.
“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.”
She added, “The reestablishment of the President’s Council and Fitness Test affirms that physical activity is a public health priority. Instilling lifelong habits of movement in our youth is one of the most powerful tools we have to improve the nation’s well-being.”
As a leading voice in the health and fitness industry, the Health & Fitness Association is equipped to assist the President’s Council through:
- Facility Engagement: Partnering with local operators to host fitness assessments, events, and school-aligned programs.
- Expert Guidance: Offering insight into program design, delivery, and evaluation rooted in decades of member experience.
- Equity in Access: Identifying underserved communities and leveraging existing infrastructure to close participation gaps.
- Public Awareness: Supporting communication efforts that reinforce the importance of regular physical activity at every age.