{"id":174397,"date":"2025-08-25T13:16:11","date_gmt":"2025-08-25T13:16:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/174397\/"},"modified":"2025-08-25T13:16:11","modified_gmt":"2025-08-25T13:16:11","slug":"ohio-schools-launch-tressel-fitness-program-amid-trump-reinstating-presidential-fitness-test","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/174397\/","title":{"rendered":"Ohio schools launch Tressel fitness program amid Trump reinstating Presidential Fitness Test"},"content":{"rendered":"

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio schools are reviving the classic fitness challenges of shuttle runs, sit-ups and push-ups with a new program launched Monday by Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel.<\/p>\n

The Team Tressel Fitness Challenge for fourth through eighth graders is reminiscent of the former Presidential Fitness Test, but with key differences: participation is optional, and activities are designed to accommodate all abilities and fitness levels.<\/p>\n

To receive a bronze, silver or gold certificate, students must complete challenges on sleep and nutrition in addition to exercise for 10, 20 or 30 days, with the hope that these activities begin lifetime habits. <\/p>\n

Perhaps the biggest relief? Pullups \u2013 perhaps the most dreaded part of the Presidential Fitness Test<\/a> \u2013 are not mandatory. Students can instead work on planks, bicep curls or other activities in the strength-building challenge. <\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I was doing the Presidential Fitness 60 years ago, I never made it to the top of that rope in the gym,\u201d said Tressel, the former Ohio State University head football coach who led the team to a national championship and seven Big Ten championships. \u201cI just never made it there. But I did some of the other things OK.\u201d<\/p>\n

Currently, 631 public and private schools and homeschools with 159,000 Ohio students have signed up for the fitness challenge. In Cuyahoga County, 63 schools and home schools are participating. <\/p>\n

The fitness challenge begins Monday (Aug. 25). Students will start a 20-page workbook outlining exercise choices, and providing space for reflective writing on what activities are their favorite and how to continue to motivate themselves throughout the challenge. Social media challenges with videos demonstrating the activities also go online today. Schools will be able to upload videos to the pages as well. <\/p>\n

The physical activities include cardio, strength and flexibility challenges. <\/p>\n

Examples of healthy eating choices include drinking 64 ounces of water a day, and eating at least two meals a day without looking at a screen. Examples of sleeping habits include powering down screens before bed and reading a paper book for at least 15 minutes before sleep. <\/p>\n

Former President Barack Obama scrapped the Presidential Fitness Test in 2012, replacing it a more holistic health approach. But politicians at the state and federal level seem ready to bring back a fitness program, complete with goals and awards. <\/p>\n

President Donald Trump recently<\/a> signed an executive order saying he\u2019s bringing the Presidential Fitness Test back. It may be a couple years before the new test is ready and rolled out in schools. Tressel\u2019s challenge will run this fall, next spring and fall of 2026, he said. <\/p>\n

At the same time, a bill in the Ohio House would create the Ohio Fitness Test. <\/p>\n

House Bill 322<\/a>, sponsored by Reps. Brian Lorenz, a suburban Columbus Republican, and Elgin Rogers, a Toledo Democrat, requires the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce to establish a test consistent with the most recent iteration of the Presidential Fitness Test for first grade through twelfth grade. DEW would provide an award for students who meet or exceed the 50th and 80th percentiles in the state on all test events, and a participation awards to students who fall under 50%.<\/p>\n

Lorenz said that he\u2019s concerned about childhood obesity rates and overall health. He cited research showing the positive changes that physical activity<\/a> can have on mental health.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt gives kids something as a goal to shoot for,\u201d he said. \u201cIt builds healthy lifestyles. You know, it\u2019s not about sit ups and shuttle runs. It\u2019s about kids being able to set goals and work together as a group, build camaraderie, confidence and learn the value of hard work.\u201d <\/p>\n

HB 322 was introduced in June and referred to the House Education Committee.<\/p>\n

Mary LaVine, president of the Ohio Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, said that the Presidential Fitness Test went away \u201cbecause some components of that physical fitness test do not really actually assess fitness, which doesn\u2019t make it a very valid test.\u201d<\/p>\n

The state has had educational standards for physical education<\/a> since 1997, she said. <\/p>\n

For instance, the standards require kindergartners to understand that when they move faster, their heart beats faster and their breathing becomes faster. Kindergarteners also need to know the types of activities that increase their heart rate. <\/p>\n

By third grade, students need to know how to assess their heart rate during physical activity and exercise. In fourth grade, students begin measuring their heart rate while sustaining moderate to vigorous activity for longer periods of time. <\/p>\n

The standards also speak to strength, flexibility and healthy eating habits. Students must learn about the muscle groups and activities to strengthen and stretch them.<\/p>\n

LaVine said that her organization was involved in the development of Team Tressel Fitness Challenge, and that it aligns with the state PE standards. She said her organization hasn\u2019t been contacted about HB 322.<\/p>\n

She is concerned that the bill will conflict with the state PE standards, which were updated after the Presidential Fitness Test ended and now align with the new national, more holistic program, called FitnessGram<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re really trying to educate everybody and say, \u2018Hey, we do this. You don\u2019t need a bill. We already do it,\u2019\u201d LaVine said. <\/p>\n

As for the Trump\u2019s new Presidential Fitness Test, LaVine said her organization will look at it once it\u2019s been developed. <\/p>\n

For Team Tressel Fitness Challenge, Tressel is working with Ted Ginn Jr., a former OSU and pro football player from Cleveland, and Dr. Lauren Miller, a former OSU basketball player. <\/p>\n

Ginn runs a youth program that promotes many of the healthy habits in Tressel\u2019s challenge. For instance, he encourages the students to eat more fruits and vegetables to energize the body, and substitute water for soda. <\/p>\n

\u201cIf we can get a kid and get a family, I think this right here is just changing the whole state, their whole way of living,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n