Lawmakers consider Presidential Physical Fitness Test

WESTERVILLE, Ohio — The latest data from the National Survey of Children’s Health shows that more than one out of every five Ohio children over 6-years-old are obese.

That’s slightly higher than the national average. But it’s a problem that some state lawmakers are hoping to solve.

Isabel Guerrero, an incoming freshman at Westerville South High School, has come a long way since her middle school physical education classes.

“We played different varieties of sports to learn about them and see what we would like. We did volleyball, badminton, basketball,” said Guerrero.

Now, as she gets ready to enter high school, you can regularly find her in the weight room, as she prepares for her spot on the wrestling team.

“I think kids should at least run a certain amount and be healthy and stay active,” Guerrero said.

Guerrero isn’t alone.

It’s also a priority for two state lawmakers who are trying to create the Ohio Fitness Test.

A series of competitions modeled after the Presidential Physical Fitness test that was discontinued more than a decade ago.

“It was all competition-based, so that was the motivation behind it. To try to get kids to compete against each other and therefore improve,” said Michael Spatafore, a physical education teacher at Westerville South High School.

Spatafore remembers taking the Presidential Physical Fitness test as a student.

Now he’s a high school physical education teacher in Westerville, and would support bringing it back.

“I think it would be a better approach if it was a mandatory thing for all students to do,” Spatafore said.

The presidential test started back in the 1950s to get kids more physically fit.

It comprised exercises like pull-ups, sit-ups, shuttle runs and broad jumps.

The newly proposed test in Ohio would be for all kids in first through 12th grade.

But it’s not the only initiative in the works.

Early this month, Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel unveiled a new fitness challenge for students in fourth through eighth grade.

“We are excited to work with schools across the state to help students set healthier goals and become the best versions of themselves,” said Ted Ginn Jr. a former Ohio State wide receiver.

That program will start this fall.

For Spatafore, these approaches are a step in the right direction.

“It’s more of a wellness approach than actually just focusing on just the sports and competitiveness. ‘How do I focus on making sure I’m healthy for longer periods of time?’” Spatafore said.

The bill that would create the Ohio Fitness Test remains in committee.

Lawmakers are expected to return in the fall and could take it up then.