President's Council Launches New Adult Fitness Test
Tue, 3 Nov 2009
President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Launches
New National Adult Fitness Test
WASHINGTON,
DC—The President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (PCPFS)
launched its new national Adult Fitness Test today. The online
self-test, available at www.adultfitnesstest.org, measures overall fitness levels by assessing aerobic fitness, muscular strength, endurance, flexibility and body composition.
The
Adult Fitness Test was launched at Results Gym in Washington, D.C.,
with the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association,
Acting Surgeon General Dr. Steven Galson, U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp of
Tennessee and The Biggest Loser contestant, Bernardo “Bernie”
Salazar. Council member and fitness expert Denise Austin led a group
of adults through a demonstration of the test.
“The Adult Fitness
Test has been adapted from the youth fitness test many of us remember
taking in school,” says Melissa Johnson, executive director of the
President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. “Now adults have a
test to measure their overall fitness and guide them toward a
healthier, more active life.”
The Adult Fitness Test features
activities that provide an overall assessment of a person’s physical
fitness and can be used to help set fitness goals and measure
progress. The test involves a one-mile walk or 1.5-mile run to test
aerobic fitness, sit-ups or push-ups to test muscular strength and
endurance, a sit-and-reach test to measure flexibility, and a body mass
index (BMI) test to assess body composition. Adults can take the Adult
Fitness Test alone, although it’s easier to do with a partner.
“While
many Americans know physical activity is important for leading a
healthy life and reducing the risk for many serious diseases, many
Americans don’t know where to begin,” says Wamp, founder and co-chair
of the Congressional Fitness Caucus. “Everyone has a point at which
their new fitness regimen should start, and this test will help
determine what level of activity is best for each individual.”
After
taking the test, participants can sign up for the President’s
Challenge, too. “The President’s Challenge is another online tool
offered by the President's Council,” says Johnson. “We encourage
Americans to take the Adult Fitness Test and then continue to
participate in regular physical activity as part of an overall healthy
lifestyle by tracking and monitoring their physical activity at www.presidentschallenge.org.”
About The Council
The
President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (PCPFS) is an
advisory committee of volunteer citizens who advise the President
through the Secretary of Health and Human Services about physical
activity, fitness and sports in America. The Office of the President's
Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (PCPFS), the Department of
Health and Human Services (HHS), is the HHS office containing the PCPFS
Executive Director and support staff. Through its programs and
partnerships with the public, private and nonprofit sectors, the Office
of the PCPFS serves as a catalyst to promote health, physical activity,
fitness and enjoyment for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities
through participation in physical activity and sports. For more
information about PCPFS please visit www.fitness.gov.
CONTACT:
Joey King
russell.king@hhs.gov
202-690-5181
