Physical education instructors have administered the fitness test recommended by the PCPFS regularly for decades to children between 6 and 17 years old. The tests gauge progress with six core exercises: sit-ups, push-ups, pull-ups, a shuttle run, a longer endurance run or walk, and a center reach/stretch. According to the PCPFS, these exercises, when performed regularly throughout the school year, spur students' muscular development, flexibility, cardiovascular ability and quickness. The tests give teachers a gauge by which to praise and tailor each student's progress.
Elementary school children are scored and ranked on their PCPFS exercises about twice a year, usually near the beginning of the school year and again near the end. The goal is progress for each student, though a President's Challenge has students performing a more regimented program for a presidential fitness program award that's given at the end of the school year. These awards are given on passage of the fitness test. A separate Presidential Active Lifestyle Award is available for children who are active at least one hour each day, five days a week for six of every eight weeks.
Another way for students to qualify for the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award is by using a pedometer to monitor their daily steps. The recommended number of steps is 11,000 for girls and 13,000 for boys, logged on a chart that can be signed by an adult or teacher for verification. The PCPFS states that this is a flexible way to push children to be active more often. Visit presidentschallenge.org/challenge/active/index.shtml, scroll down and click on "Create an individual account" for an online progress chart. Click on "paper log" to print a fitness log.
Instructors are advised to have students perform each of the recommended exercises in a specific way, making certain accommodations for special-needs children. Home-schooled children also are advised to follow these physical guidelines. Detailed instructions for how to perform and score each exercise are provided at presidentschallenge.org/tools-resources/docs/PresChal_booklet_10-11.pdf. The document also contains a class chart for printing, allowing educators to easily keep track of each student's scores and progress through the years.