News and information from the National Physical Activity Plan 07/2015

Recent Progress in the Revision of the NPAP

Last month, the NPAP Revision Executive Committee met in Atlanta to work on revisions and updates to the Plan. During the in-person meeting, recommendations for each of the eight societal sectors and the overarching strategies were extensively reviewed. The NPAPA Diversity Committee also presented comments and concerns regarding issues related to health disparities and equity across all sectors of the Plan.

The meeting was a great success and the NPAPA is happy to report that the revisions and updates to the NPAP are well underway. Over the next few months, the Alliance and the Revision Executive Committee will work diligently to finalize the revisions to the Plan.

After the near-final draft of the revised NPAP has been finalized, the Alliance will solicit public comment. Based on the feedback received, final revisions to the Plan will be completed and presented to the NPAPA Board of Directors for its review. Release of the revised NPAP is anticipated in late 2015/early 2016.

 

 Physical Activity News:

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NPAPA Interview with the Society of Behavioral Medicine

Last month, NPAPA president Dr. Russ Pate completed an interview with the Society of Behavioral Medicine’s (SBM) Physical Activity SIG. During the interview, Pate discussed the U.S. National Physical Activity Plan (NPAP). Specifically, its content, the development and history of the Plan, and how those interested in becoming more involved can do so! Read the interview today and visit the NPAP website to learn more and get involved!

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 Physical Activity Added to the NIH Common Fund

In May, we encouraged you to sign on in support of adding physical activity to the NIH Common Fund. Today, the NPAPA is very excited to report National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) announcement to include physical activity research as part of the Common Fund. Thanks to everyone that signed on in support – all of our efforts made this achievement possible!

This new funding program, Molecular Transducers of Physical Activity in Humans, aims to identify the biological mechanisms that are affected by physical activity. It is the largest NIH effort to date aiming to address why physical activity improves health and prevents disease. For more details be sure to read the NIH press release.

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National Youth Sports Week | July 13-19, 2015 

During National Youth Sports Week, July 13th-19th, the National Council on Youth Sports plans to introduce its own legislative bill to advance the positive impact of youth sports: P.L.A.Y.S.- Physical Activity, Living healthy, Access, Youth development, Safety. Sign on in support of the bill here and help spread the word about the positive benefits of youth sports.

 

 

New Research:

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New Poll on Sports Participation

According to a recent poll from NPR, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, sport participation in the U.S. declines as children transition to adulthood. Highlights from the poll:

  • 73% of adults reported playing sports as a child; however, only 25% continue to play as an adult.
  • 48% of parents regularly engage in some form of exercise
  • 89% of parents believe that their child benefits from participation in sports (e.g., improved physical and mental health, school/career goals, etc.)

Review the key finding and/or download the full report.

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Research Brief: PE Professionals Play Key Roll in Promoting Activity in Schools

A new research brief from Bridging the Gap reports that continuing education for physical education (PE) teachers may have a positive impact on student’s physical activity opportunities. Specifically, schools that required continuing education for PE teachers were more likely to:

  • Offer 150 minutes of PE per week;
  • Provide fitness testing in PE classes; and
  • Provide other opportunities for physical activity during the school day.

Additionally, the findings indicated that only 21% of elementary schools offered daily PE and approximately 75% of schools provided ≥20 minutes of daily recess. Data were pulled from a nationally-representative sample of U.S. public elementary schools during the 2009-2010 and 2011-12 school years. Download the research brief for more details.

 

New Resources:
_______________________________________________________________ Toolkit: Streets Built to Share

Voices for Healthy Kids released a new toolkit on complete streets – Streets Built to Share. The toolkit focuses on public policies that would require all road construction and reconstruction efforts to create complete streets that are safe and convenient for all pedestrians. The toolkit includes a compilation of facts, sample materials, and guidance on how to create a social movement in your community. Request access to the toolkit today.

 

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 Report: Physical Literacy: A Model, Strategic Plan, and Call to Action

The Aspen Institute Sports and Society Program, with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, has released this new report which identifies 10 key sectors and more than 150 strategic ideas to improve physical literacy among U.S. youth. Read the full report.

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Report: Designed to Move Active Cities

This new report from Designed to Move serves as an excellent guide for city leaders to create an active city.

 The report includes:

  • A comprehensive summary that shows an active city can be a low-cost, high-return on investment that impacts more than just health.
  • Proven interventions in the parks, urban design, transportation, schools and workplace settings where city leaders can focus investments.
  • Specific recommendations for city leaders to make any city an active city.
  • Case studies of bright spots across the globe of cities already designing for physical activity.
  • An in-depth list of tools and resources to help guide the design of an active city.

Download the Active Cities Full Report, Executive Summary and Infographic.

 

Celebrating ADA’s 25th Anniversary – Physical Activity and Disabilities!

This July marks the 25th anniversary of the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA), the bill in which our nation committed to eliminating discrimination against people with disabilities.

While much has been accomplished in the past two decades, this monumental celebration for the ADA also represents “an opportune time for researchers, practitioners, and policy makers to begin to think about addressing the high rates of physical inactivity among people with disabilities” according to Dr. Jim Rimmer, University of Alabama Birmingham. In a commentary published earlier this year, Rimmer pointed out that recent estimates suggest that more than 50 percent of adults with disability are not meeting the U.S. physical activity guidelines of 150 minutes per week.

In response to these low levels of activity, Rimmer highlighted the urgent need for us to establish new approaches designed to integrate individuals with disabilities into physical activity programs. As a field, we must work together to reach the hardest to reach populations.

The NPAPA urges everyone – individuals and organizations – to join us in celebrating the 25th ADA anniversary. Recommit to the ADA today and sign the Pledge On! campaign!

 

Oliver Bartzsch is an experienced medical professional with over 15 years of professional experience. With a passion for medicine, fitness, and personal growth, he is always willing to challenge himself to accomplish tasks and especially to provide accurate medical information to people. Oliver is a long-time medical editor for multiple sites. With more than 10 years of medical writing experience, he has completed over 350 projects with both individual and corporate clients.

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