President Donald Trump announced the revival of the Presidential Physical Fitness Award on Tuesday, marking a renewed emphasis on physical fitness testing in American schools. The award, originally established in the 1950s, was tied to the Presidential Fitness Test—a program that evaluated students on various physical exercises. The test had been a staple in public schools for decades before it was phased out during the Obama administration in favor of a program that prioritized long-term health over competitive performance.

At a ceremony in the Oval Office attended by children and professional athletes, Trump affirmed his commitment to reinstating the physical fitness test. The earlier iteration of the exam assessed students on exercises such as a one-mile run and sit-ups, with awards given to those who scored above the 85th percentile for their gender in each activity. While the specifics of how the test will operate under the revived program have not yet been disclosed, the administration’s move signals a shift back toward traditional fitness benchmarks in schools.

The reinstatement aligns with Trump’s broader focus on promoting physical activity and competitiveness among youth. Critics of the previous program emphasized its competitive nature, which some argued could discourage students who struggled with fitness, leading to the Obama-era replacement that focused more on health metrics without competition. The Trump administration’s decision reverses that approach, aiming to reintroduce a measurable, performance-based standard for student fitness.

The announcement follows an executive order signed by Trump last summer to revive the fitness test nationwide, although implementation details remain forthcoming. The program’s return highlights ongoing debates about the best methods to encourage physical well-being among children in educational settings.