As fit as a 5th grader? Adults can take challenge

Physicians expect the President's Challenge fitness test to be a useful instrument in efforts to change Americans' sedentary behavior.

By Victoria Stagg Elliott, AMNews staff. June 9, 2008.

How many push-ups can you do? Could you handle a jog or a mile-long walk?

The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, which for decades has provided tests of children's fitness and medals for those who pass, launched last month an adult version that asks these very questions. Just like the version for youth, this measure is designed to assess and monitor aerobic abilities, muscular strength, endurance, flexibility and body composition -- only this time, it's geared entirely to grown-ups.

"We had many baby boomers who contacted us and said, 'I want to see how fit I am now,' " said Melissa Johnson, the organization's executive director. "We hope they use that information for their health and slowly improve in areas that they need to."

This online self-test puts participants through a series of challenges such as running a mile-and-a-half or performing as many half sit-ups as possible in a minute. The results are then recorded and compared with those for others of the same age and sex. People can print out a certificate of completion "in recognition of your commitment to a fit and active life."

Participants are then encouraged to take additional action through the President's Challenge. This Web site can be used to track ongoing progress. Points earned can be turned into virtual awards and, for a small fee, real ones. The hope is that people will visit the fitness testing Web site regularly and frequently to see how they are doing.

"We encourage Americans to take the adult fitness test and continue to participate in regular physical activity as part of an overall healthy lifestyle by tracking and monitoring their physical activity," Johnson said.