1953 Dr. Hans Kraus, associate professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at New York University, and an associate publish an article contending that the nation’s adults and children are becoming soft and losing muscle tone.
1956 Vice President Richard Nixon heads the President’s Conference on the Fitness of American Youth at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. Attendees issue a range of recommendations, including that fitness must be popularized and promoted among youths.
July 16, 1956 President Dwight Eisenhower establishes the President’s Council on Youth Fitness to promote active lifestyles.
1960 President John Kennedy identifies physical fitness as a defining principle of his administration. As president-elect, he published the article “The Soft American” in Sports Illustrated.
1964 The council conducts a fitness survey of youths ages 10 to 17, the results of which form the basis for the Presidential Physical Fitness Award.
1966 President Lyndon Johnson establishes the Presidential Fitness Award. It recognized children who scored in the upper 15th percentile on activities including the softball throw, broad jump, 50-yard dash and 600-yard run.
1985 The National School Population Fitness Survey results in the creation of an award in addition to the Presidential Fitness Award. The National Physical Fitness Award recognizes children who score between the 50th and 85th percentiles.
2001 The council introduces the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award, which encourages youths and adults to stay active every day.
— Joe Dejka
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