Ohio student fitness challenge kicks off

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(The Center Square) – The physical fitness of students in Ohio is getting several new pushes.

Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel introduced the state’s new plan Monday to help youngsters get in better physical shape, while two lawmakers introduced legislation to resume the Presidential Physical Fitness Test in state schools that President Donald Trump revived in early August.

Tressel, Ohio State’s former national championship-winning football coach, is teaming up with another former Buckeye for the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge, which is for students in grades 4-8.

Tressel said the goal is to help students form healthly habits in fitness, nutrition and sleep through goal setting. So far, 635 schools with more than 160,000 students have decided to participate.

“We created this challenge so it's truly for everyone – from the super athlete to the student who needs an adaptive exercise, from the very active to the less active and everything in between," Tressel said. "We want kids to be excited about living a healthy life. Our goal is to teach them good habits that will shape their behavior, self-image, and overall health and show them how beneficial it is to carry those habits through life."

Ex-Buckeye and NFL receiver Ted Ginn Jr. is the challenge captain and plans to travel the state with Tressel to visit schools and talk with students. Other former collegiate and professional athletes are also expected to participate in the challenge.

"We want to make it easier for kids to see how they can energize their bodies with small changes like water instead of soda or taking a walk every day," Ginn said. "If we can get a kid, we can get a family, and that can create a greater impact across the state."

The 90-day challenge takes students through three levels – bronze, silver and gold – that offer different activities. At each level, students are required to set a certain number of goals in each activity category to complete during the number of days at that level. 

Students must practice their goals for 60 of the 90 days.

Also, Reps. Brian Lorenz, R-Powell, and Elgin Rogers Jr., D-Toledo, recently introduced a bill that would require the Department of Education to establish the Ohio Fitness test to align with the Presidential Physical Fitness Test and require each school to administer it.

The bill has yet to have a hearing.