In the US, it's out with percentile scores and in with "healthy fitness zones." A new presidential youth fitness program for schools now tests a student's physical abilities based on what current research shows promotes good health, rather than rating them against their peers.

Announced this week, the program is shifting its focus to health rather than athletic performance (how many sit-ups you can do, for example) in response to the changing times and obesity epidemic in the country. The original presidential test was developed almost 50 years ago and was designed to measure children's athletic abilities, especially in the event they were called into military service.

In the new program, children will be analyzed based on five different criteria: cardiovascular fitness or aerobic capacity, body composition, muscle strength, muscular endurance and flexibility. Each score is then evaluated using the new "healthy fitness zone" standards. Kids who rank in the zone in five out of six categories are eligible to receive the Presidential Youth Fitness Award. For kids who fall below the ranks, they'll be tutored on ways to achieve better health and fitness.

Officials say that most children who exercise at least 60 minutes a day should be able to score in the healthy fitness zones.

http://www.presidentialyouthfitnessprogram.org

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US school fitness program gets overhaul