President’s Challenge News

Adult Fitness Test
The President’s Challenge Adult Fitness Test (www.adultfitnesstest.org) launched May 14th.  The fitness test, for adults aged 18 and older, assesses the following health related fitness components:

• Aerobic Fitness - ability of the heart and lungs to deliver blood to muscles. This activity is tested with a 1 Mile Walk or a 1.5 Mile Run.
• Muscular Strength and Endurance - enough to do normal activities easily and protect the lower back. This activity is tested with Half Sit-Ups and Push-Ups.
• Flexibility - ability to move joints through their proper range of motion. This activity is tested with the Sit and Reach test.
• Body Composition - measured using a Body Mass Index (BMI) chart.

The activities featured on this adult fitness test are provided as a way for participants to get an estimate of their fitness level.  After taking each test and entering their scores on-line, participants receive a “score” based on their percentile ranking on each test item.  Individuals who are already physically active are encouraged to take the test, continue with a regular program of physical activity (such as the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award) and then re-take the test to gauge changes to their level of fitness.

A downloadable test instruction booklet (PDF) is available at http://www.adultfitnesstest.org/
resources/testbooklet.pdf

National President’s Challenge (NPC)
Congratulations to Alaska, the winner of the inaugural National President’s Challenge (NPC)! Congratulations also to Arkansas, Wyoming, Washington, D.C. and Maryland for rounding out the top five winners.  Secretary Leavitt presented Alaska Governor Palin with the #1 award, and Surgeon General Steven Galson and PCPFS Executive Director Melissa Johnson traveled to Little Rock to present the #2 award to the state of Arkansas. Close to 90,000 people registered to participate in the NPC.  Final scores were based on percentage of population.  Don’t let the completion of the NPC stop your participation in the President’s Challenge nor your physical activity.  All registrants are encouraged to continue logging activity and earning awards.  For example, if you signed up for the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award, now is the time to start working towards a Presidential Champions medal.  To do so, log-in at www.presidentshcallenge.org and click on the “Edit Your Profile” tab.  Select the “Your program preferences” on the left side of the screen and then select the Presidential Champions Program (or Advanced Performance Program). Keep up the great work!

New Activity
Nintendo Wii (Sports) is now on the list of President’s Challenge activities.