Establishing the Congressional Fitness Challenge, and for other purposes.
This concurrent resolution would establish the Congressional Fitness Challenge, a voluntary, nationwide program to recognize personal fitness achievements of youth ages 6 through 17. The Challenge uses five standard fitness tests (1-mile run/walk, maximum pull-ups or flexed-arm hang, 60-second curl-ups or sit-ups, a 30-foot shuttle run with a wood block, and a sit-and-reach flexibility measure) and would publish benchmarks by age and gender, with adaptive standards for participants with disabilities. Eligible participants can earn certificates if they meet or exceed benchmarks, with different recognition levels (Gold, Silver, Bronze) based on percentile rankings among participants in the same age/gender group. The program would be sponsored by schools (K-12), Members of Congress who organize community events, or independent entities serving home-schooled students, and the tests would be administered by certified fitness professionals. The resolution also sets up oversight and administration by two congressional committees, directs data collection and national aggregation by age/gender, and provides guidance on funding through Members’ Representational Allowance and Senators’ official accounts (with a feasibility study on other funding). It establishes privacy protections and liability considerations for sponsors, and requires joint regulations on testing protocols, reporting, data submission standards, and guidance on the use of congressional allowances to support Challenge activities.
Key Points
- 1Establishes the Congressional Fitness Challenge as a voluntary, performance-based national recognition program for youth ages 6-17, using five defined fitness tests and benchmarks by age and gender (with disability accommodations).
- 2Tests and administration: Five tests (1-mile run/walk, pull-ups or flexed-arm hang, curl-ups or sit-ups in 60 seconds, shuttle run, sit-and-reach) administered by a certified fitness professional; sponsors include K-12 schools, congressional offices organizing community events, or independent entities for home-schooled participants.
- 3Benchmarks and recognition: Benchmarks finalized by committees with input from fitness professionals, aligned with historical Presidential Physical Fitness standards; certificates signed by top Congressional leaders and district/state representatives; recognition levels (Gold, Silver, Bronze) based on percentiles within gender/age groups.
- 4Data and privacy: Sponsors must submit participant data; committees will aggregate data nationally by gender and age each year; regulations will address privacy, data submission standards, and sponsor liability.
- 5Oversight and funding: Joint committees will issue regulations and guidance on use of congressional allowances to support activity; alternative funding options will be explored and reported within a year of enactment.