INDIANAPOLIS — The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) has announced its support of President Donald Trump’s executive order to reestablish the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition (PCSFN) and 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, MD, 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.”
As the leading research organization in sports medicine and exercise science, ACSM and its members work to extend and enrich lives through the power of movement. With focused attention on the importance of youth fitness and healthy behaviors over the lifespan, ACSM supports all efforts that encourage physical activity among children and youth.
ACSM commends the executive order’s intent to reinstate the Presidential Fitness Test, including benchmarks that provide measurable standards to track youth fitness nationwide, and revitalize the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition, directing it to forge partnerships with schools, professional athletes, and sports organizations to deliver school-based fitness programs and recognize achievement through a Presidential Fitness Award.
“ACSM and its members have a long history of working with the PCSFN’s Science Board that helps elevate scientific research related to physical activity, physical fitness, sports and nutrition,” said ACSM Chief Executive Officer Katie Feltman, CAE. “We look forward to continuing this partnership by lending our expertise and guidance to help revitalize the council’s work and outcomes. We believe that objective performance standards and recognition programs like those outlined in the executive order may boost motivation and encourage lifelong habits of exercise and good nutrition, which are critical defenses against youth obesity and chronic disease.”
About ACSM
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) is the largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world, with nearly 50,000 members and certified professionals in more than 100 countries. Together, ACSM is committed to the mission of educating and empowering professionals to advance the science and practice of health and human performance. ACSM advocates for legislation to help the government and health community make physical activity a priority.
