Physical inactivity among young people is an increasing concern for families, educators and health professionals across the country. Rising rates of obesity and chronic disease threaten not only individual well-being, but also communities’ long-term health. Helping children understand the importance of staying active early in life is one of the most effective ways to support healthier outcomes down the road.

For many years, the Presidential Fitness Test played a role in encouraging students to stay active by setting productive, age-appropriate goals. The program was once a fixture in schools nationwide — including here in Arkansas — and helped introduce students to the value of physical activity through running, strength and endurance challenges. Despite its important impact promoting healthy habits and exercise, the test was unfortunately phased out during the Obama administration.

Last year, President Trump signed an executive order reestablishing the Presidential Fitness Test and the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition. I supported that effort and am championing the Presidential Fitness Test Act to ensure these changes are lasting. This framework would give schools and communities the tools to promote physical activity and reinforce the connection between fitness and lifelong health. 

Arkansas is taking a comprehensive approach by restoring the Presidential Fitness Test while also strengthening access to nutritious food and resources that support healthy lifestyles for Natural State youth.

Regular physical activity supports more than healthy bodily development. It also plays an important role in mental health, helping reduce stress, build confidence and foster resilience in young people. Encouraging kids to move, set personal goals and measure progress over time cultivates discipline and a sense of accomplishment, regardless of athletic ability. Physical activity also helps improve focus and academic performance, giving students the energy and clarity they need to excel in the classroom.

As a former Razorbacks offensive lineman, I know firsthand that staying physically fit builds more than muscles — it builds character. Countless hours of practice taught me so much about perseverance, teamwork and pushing myself to improve. Those lessons stay with you long after the final whistle and carry over to every aspect of life.

While reviving the Presidential Fitness Test is a step forward, it’s part of a broader push to support overall health. I have consistently championed programs that promote youth development, nutrition and mental well-being, from expanding access to healthy foods to strengthening 4-H and other youth initiatives in Arkansas. This month, I joined the president as he signed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act into law. This commonsense initiative promotes children’s nutrition and supports dairy farmers by reintegrating whole and two percent milk options at school lunch, and I am pleased it is now law after many years of advocacy. Healthy eating and physical activity go hand-in-hand, and communities thrive when families have convenient access to nutritious options and safe places to gather.

Schools play an important role in supporting these efforts. Educators and coaches work every day to encourage students to stay active and engaged. The Presidential Fitness Test provides a structured and encouraging way to promote participation and personal progress, rather than competition or perfection. When students are supported at every level, they are more likely to build confidence and maintain healthy habits.

In a time when children spend more hours in front of screens than on playgrounds, it’s more important than ever to focus on physical activity. Reinstating the Presidential Fitness Test helps put movement back at the center of students’ lives and instills habits that will last a lifetime. And that emphasis will strengthen Arkansas and the nation. By encouraging active lifestyles early, we can give the next generation the tools, resilience and confidence they need to thrive in the years ahead.