HFA Pledges Support for White House Youth Fitness Initiative

The HFA has pledged its support for the White House’s newly announced youth fitness initiative which has been reinstated as part of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition (PCSFN). This move reflects a renewed national effort to promote physical activity and wellness among young Americans at a time when youth inactivity and obesity remain pressing health concerns.

First established in 1956 under President Dwight D. Eisenhower, the youth fitness test has historically served as a cornerstone in encouraging Americans, especially youth, to engage in sports and regular exercise.

HFA President and CEO Liz Clark praised the initiative as a timely response to troubling trends in youth health, highlighting the severity of the nation’s physical health crisis.

“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,” Clark stated.

A National Health Emergency

The statistics driving this federal action are stark. Only 16% of high school students meet national physical activity guidelines for both aerobic and muscle-strengthening exercises during leisure time. Among adults, 75% fail to meet recommended physical activity standards.

As Clark suggested, perhaps the most concerning statistics are related to national security. An estimated 60% of young Americans now fail to meet weight eligibility and physical preparation standards for military basic training, primarily due to obesity and inactivity-related health issues.

Rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and anxiety among children and teens continue to climb, exacerbated by sedentary behaviors and reduced access to physical education in schools.

Industry Mobilization, Led by the HFA

Mike Goscinski, HFA vice president of government affairs, emphasized the fitness industry’s readiness to support the mission.

“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,” he said.

The association plans to assist through facility partnerships for fitness assessments and events, expert guidance on program design, efforts to improve equity in access for underserved communities, and public awareness campaigns reinforcing the importance of regular physical activity.

Updating an Old-School Concept for the Modern Age

Originally, the PCSFN included a Presidential Fitness Test, which was abandoned by recent administrations but is being brought back by the current White House. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will oversee administration of the Presidential Fitness Test, which is expected to include traditional elements like the 1-mile run, sit-ups, push-ups or pull-ups, and flexibility assessments.

The PCSFN has attracted high-profile members from across the sports world, including golfers Bryson DeChambeau, Annika Sörenstam, and Jack Nicklaus; NFL players Nick Bosa, Tua Tagovailoa, and Harrison Butker; hockey legend Wayne Gretzky; NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell; and WWE’s Triple H, who is involved in redesigning the test and scoring system.

With physical inactivity and obesity reaching crisis levels, the revived Presidential Fitness Test represents a significant federal recommitment to youth health and national wellness—one the fitness industry stands ready to support with concrete action and expertise.