Fitness is Fun!
May 2008

Greetings from the office of the President's Challenge Physical Activity and Fitness Awards Program! You have received the May 2008 issue of Fitness is Fun, the official e-mail distribution of the President's Challenge. These monthly e-mails will keep you updated on our programs, activities of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (PCPFS) and other current information pertaining to health and fitness.

Fitness Question of the Month for May:

What efforts do you make to incorporate fitness into your summer vacation?

Please respond via E-mail to The President's Challenge at preschal@indiana.edu. We'll include the most insightful responses in the June issue of Fitness is Fun. Be sure to view the responses to April’s Fitness Question near the end of this newsletter.

Have you or someone else motivated a group of children or adults to lead a healthier life? Email us your story at preschal@indiana.edu and it could be featured in next month’s newsletter!

PCPFS NEWS:

ADULT FITNESS TEST
The PCPFS will be launching a new on-line Adult Fitness Test on May 14th from 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. at Results Gym on Capitol Hill (315 G Street, SE). Many baby boomers remember when they took the youth fitness test in elementary school. Now there's a chance to see how they score as adults! Rep. Zach Wamp, Co-chair of the Congressional Fitness Caucus, will help the President's Council members kick off this new test. Denise Austin will lead participants through the test elements, and Biggest Loser "At Home" winner Bernie Salazar will join us. If you're in town that day, you're welcome to participate. Please RSVP to: events@resultsthegym.com.

The National President's Challenge
A HEALTHIER NATION: “IT’S EVERYONE’S CHALLENGE!!!”
The PCPFS launched the National President’s Challenge on March 20, 2008. This physical activity challenge is helping Americans of all ages “Spring into Action” by utilizing the President’s Challenge web site to track physical activity – ‘A Healthier Nation: It’s Everyone’s Challenge!” For information on how individuals, families, organizations, schools, businesses, and industries can make their state the most active and have their Governor recognized as one of the top five, just log on and check your state stats on the US map. Check your state stats daily, weekly, and encourage all to participate. The Challenge is taking place from March 20th to May 15th. For banners, articles, fact sheets, and more, go to http://www.presidentschallenge.org/national_challenge/.

As of May 13, 2008 the top 5 states in the National Challenge were:

Rank   State #
Registered Daily
PPV Overall
PPV

1 Alaska 2854 0.4 276.2

2 Wyoming 1134 1.0 125.8

3 Washington DC 1247 1.5 116.2

4 Arkansas 3602 0.3 105.0

5 Maryland 6613 1.2 70.2

*Overall PPV is the cumulative sum of Weekly PPV totals.
Weekly PPV = # active participants (have logged 5 days of activity that week) x Factor # / 10,000 (dividing by 10,000 makes the number a more manageable size)
(Factor # = state population/U.S. total population)

With the National Challenge concluding on May 15, we first wanted to thank all of our participants, and remind them to continue logging after May 15. The President's Challenge has offered the Champions and Active Lifestyle program since 2003, and it will continue to offer these programs after May 15. The National Challenge was an eight week competition amongst states that will end on May 15, but for all those who registered for the National Challenge, you will still have your account, and are encouraged to continue logging.

Also, for those participants that successfully completed the challenge, the National Challenge Certificate is available for download.

Join PCPFS and Celebrate May’s National Physical Fitness and Sports Month
We hope you're celebrating National Physical Fitness and Sports Month with plenty of physical activity! Please visit: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/04/20080429-9.html to view the Presidential Proclamation for May. A couple activities that are occurring in Washington, D.C. during the week of May 12th, President’s Council meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 14th at the Hubert H. Humphrey Building (200 Independence Ave., SW, Room 800). The meeting will take place from 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. EDT and resume from 1:30 - 4:00 p.m. Right before lunch, we will honor Dr. Richard Keelor as our Lifetime Achievement Award recipient for his exemplary contributions to the health and fitness field. We will also announce our community leadership award winners.

For more information about what you can do to celebrate National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, please visit our May Month Toolkit at: http://www.fitness.gov/May%20Month/may_month_toolkit.htm.

Saucony Run For Good Foundation Offers Funding for Children's Running Programs
Deadline for Applications: June 13, 2008.
Established to help end childhood obesity by providing financial support to nonprofits across the United States that support children's running and fitness programs, the Saucony Run For Good Foundation is accepting applications for its grant program. Saucony, Inc., a subsidiary of the Stride Rite Corporation, is a global supplier of performance athletic footwear and apparel. The grants are open to nonprofit organizations that initiate and support running and fitness programs for kids. Eligible applicants are programs whose participants are 18 years of age or less, have 501(c)(3) status, and can demonstrate that their program positively impacts the lives of participants through their increased participation in running. The foundation has two grant cycles per year, with up to seven awards granted each cycle. Grants are in amounts up to a maximum of $10,000 each. To learn more visit: http://www.sauconyrunforgood.com/.

Women's Sports Foundation Seeks Applicants for Ambassador Team Awards
Deadline for Applications: July 18, 2008.
The Women's Sports Foundation's Ambassador Team Awards program will provide a total of $50,000 in grants to teams of female high school students that demonstrate leadership in their communities by inspiring girls to get involved in sports and physical activity. Teams will create their own projects designed to get girls in their local community to be physically active. To be eligible, teams must be school, amateur, community, and/or nonprofit affiliated teams whose members are all of the following: female; enrolled in 9th-12th grade; and residents of the United States, its territories, or protectorates. Twenty teams will be awarded $2,500 each. Team awards are to be used for equipment, apparel, travel, or training costs for the team. Prizes will be made payable to the school, nonprofit institution, or 501(c)(3) organization. To read more please visit: http://www.womenssportsfoundation.org.

Healthy People 2020
PCPFS, as co-lead with the CDC of the Physical Activity and Fitness Objectives of Healthy People 2010 is embarking on the development of a vision and focus for Healthy People 2020. An interactive process, public opinion is welcomed via written and oral comments at regional hearings which will take place this spring in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Fort Worth, DC, and San Francisco and end on May 28th in Washington, D.C. You can view updates and schedules at http://www.healthypeople.gov.

PCPFS Physical Activity & Fitness Research Digest
The PCPFS Fitness Research Digest is published quarterly by the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. The March 2008 issue focuses on the Potential of Parks and Recreation Departments in addressing physical activity and fitness. To subscribe to the Digest please visit http://www.presidentschallenge.org/misc/news_research/research_digest.aspx.

President's Challenge NEWS:

Reminders

With the school year wrapping up, we are currently entering our busiest time of the year here at the President’s Challenge. A brief reminder for teachers, award orders take 18 calendar days to process. Our order policy is that you should receive your order within 18 calendar days of the original date the order was received at our office. At this time of year, many of the teachers are trying to order their awards, and teachers should consider ordering as early as possible to ensure on time arrival. Your order can be rushed for $25.00 or 25% of the subtotal, whichever is greater. This will ensure that you receive your package within 4 business days. If you would like to place an order by phone call 1-800-258-8146, fax your order to 812-855-8999, place it online at https://www.presidentschallenge.org/order_center/index.aspx, or mail it to the address below. As a reminder, we are unable to ship orders to P.O. boxes, please provide us with a physical address to ensure prompt shipping.

President’s Challenge
501 N. Morton St. Suite 203
Bloomington, IN 47404

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Meetings and Hearings

President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Council Meeting
Date: May 14, 2008
For more information visit: http://www.fitness.gov

Healthy People 2020 Regional Hearing
Date: May 28, 2008
For more information visit: http://www.healthypeople.gov

NEVADA DEMONSTRATION CENTER:

Spotlight:

The President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (PCPFS) Demonstration Center Project is an initiative to promote and recognize elementary and secondary schools that clearly emphasize physical activity and fitness in their physical education programs and in their school environment. We know that while there are many constraints, many of Nevada’s schools are doing an outstanding job providing quality Physical Education, and this initiative is an effort to recognize those efforts.

When the American College of Sports Medicine became science partners with the PCPFS, Anne Lindsay, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, took the lead in re-establishing the program in Nevada and became the State Coordinator for the PCPFS. To initiate this effort, Annie collaborated with a local community obesity prevention coalition, Partners for a Healthy Nevada (PHN).

Together with Partners for a Healthy Nevada, criteria were developed, based on national and Nevada State standards that school PE programs would have to meet in order to be recognized as a Demonstration Center. Applications and cover letters explaining the process were sent out to 300 schools in the Clark County School District. Each school’s application was judged by a panel of Partners for Healthy Nevada. Schools that met the criteria as a PCPFS Demonstration Center School were then recommended by the committee and a site visit was made by the State Coordinator. Final approval was made by the coalition and 4 middle schools and 4 elementary schools (respectively) were chosen: Dell E. Webb, Clifford J. Lawrence, Bob Miller & William E. Orr Paul Culley, John A. Dooley, Roger D. Gehring & Guild R. Gray

Successful programs observed in these schools include teaching lifelong fitness activities such as fitness, aerobics, Pilates, Ultimate Frisbee, Latin dance and Hip Hop. Students learn fitness concepts such as target heart rate, cardio activity, muscular strength and endurance, muscle groups and body parts. Use of equipment is encouraged such as exercise bands, medicine balls, pedometers, steps and stability balls. Students are fitness tested and learn to interpret their own scores to set goals for themselves.

Schools selected not only have excellent PE programs but an entire school environment or culture of physical activity. Teachers creatively utilize minimal space and time. Elimination games are replaced with all-participation rules, roll call is taken during warm-up activities, and collaboration is made with local parks to utilize more playing space. Before school, afterschool and lunchtime intramurals and activities are offered and students can earn awards, such as the Presidents Challenge at home or online. Boys and girls PE teachers work well as a department and often program units together and even principals support the importance of active children.

24 Hour Fitness® also became a partner in the project and showed their support of PE programs, lifelong fitness and community involvement. Orr Middle School was selected to be the 24 Hour Fitness® adopt-a school program because in addition to their excellent and creative PE programs, they notably reflect an entire school “culture” of promoting physical activity. Teachers promote and instruct after school programs with a nearly 40% participation from students, lunchtime intramurals are offered, and even the principal can be seen riding his bicycle to supervise students around campus.

24 Hour Fitness® presented Orr with an assembly featuring Jason "Jay" Williams, the former Duke basketball star and 2002 Naismith College Player of the Year, whose NBA Chicago Bulls rookie season was cut short by a catastrophic motorcycle accident. An employee of 24 Hour Fitness®, he demonstrated the Hoopology program to the students and presented the school with a $20k HOPSports training system. HopSports delivers 21st Century Physical Education with its unique multi-media, technology driven, standards-based physical education system that merges technology with fitness knowledge. One-year, all-club fitness memberships were also provided to all the staff at the school.

Additionally, 24 Hour Fitness® provided 3 month all-club memberships to all the staff at the other 7 Demonstration Schools selected and 250 pedometers were donated to each of the PE programs in those schools.

Congratulations, to the 8 new PCPFS Demonstration Schools in Nevada!!! You’ll see their blue PCPFS banners flying high in front of their schools.

A special thanks to Anne Lindsay for her efforts as a State Coordinator and her assistance with this article.

Links to read more:
http://www.lvrj.com/living/17966849.html

http://www.viewnews.com/2008/VIEW-Mar-04-Tue-2008/CentennialHills/19981364.html

http://www.viewnews.com/2008/VIEW-Mar-18-Tue-2008/SEast/20281875.html

NEWS AND RESEARCH:

Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children

CLOCC is a nationally recognized consortium that brings together hundreds of organizations and individuals to confront childhood obesity in Chicago.

CLOCC is leading a training session on its healthy lifestyle message for children and families - 5-4-3-2-1 Go!

This training will include:

Background information on the problem of childhood obesity
Information about the creation and dissemination of 5-4-3-2-1 Go!
Ways to incorporate the 5-4-3-2-1 Go! message in your programming

The training will take place on Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at Teamwork Englewood, 815 W. 63rd St., Chicago from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Space is limited, so reservations are required. Please RSVP to Chris Kierig at ckierig@childrensmemorial.org or 312-573-7760 by Friday, May 23 to secure your spot.

Light refreshments will be provided, and each attendee will receive a toolkit of materials that support 5-4-3-2-1 Go!.

FITNESS QUESTION OF THE MONTH:

What are your favorite high-intensity outdoor activities?

Fitness Question Responses from the Month of April:

I am a family physician and part of a team that mentors the staff at the new military hospital near Herat in western Afghanistan. It's actually easy to get in exercise here: we walk back and forth to the hospital each day and typically get in about 2 and ½ miles. We have 2 gyms on our base and can go running on the paved roads on the adjacent base. We also have outdoor volleyball and basketball. Our interpreters are willing to teach us cricket! We are all in good shape and appreciate being able to participate in the President's Challenge.
~LCDR Bruce D.

My favorite outdoor activity is Nordic Walking. I am exercising at my NOAA Station in Fairbanks, Alaska, and we just can't seem to get rid of this snow. I am looking forward to trading in my "yak-tracks" for my walking poles that I inherited from my father and hitting the roads and trails. I learned about Nordic Walking from my mother. At 87 years old she is still out walking with her "trekking" poles. She appreciates the stability they give her, plus the full-body exercise.
~Bonny P.

In the Baltimore/D.C. area the weather can be very iffy. However, there are always running, hiking, and even power-walking events going on somewhere. I never sweat more than when playing tennis, or embarrassing myself in volleyball; but I have to say my favorite outdoor activity is running with my dog--and that can be intense!
~Alexander G.

My favorite high-intensity outdoor activity is long distance bicycling. Nothing is greater than soaring down a hill at 35-40 miles per hour or doing a strenuous hill climb and feeling like you have challenged yourself and won when you reach the top. What a way to see beautiful scenery, relax, and get a great cardio workout! I feel very fortunate that I am able to do this at age 60, and I hope to for many years to come. See you on the road!!
~Kay N.

My favorite high-intensity outdoor activity is marching in a senior drum and bugle corps, The Boston Crusaders. We march in local parades which average about 2.5 miles long. The average age of the drum corps is probably 46 years old, but many of us are in our 50’s and early 60’s. If you ever marched in a high school band or played in a concert band, you can march in a drum and bugle corps. It is a great way to exercise and entertain thousands of people. Dust off your instruments and join a drum corps; they welcome everybody, young and old.
~Paul G.

My favorite physical activity to participate in is back-packing. I get to see so much of the beautiful country in which we live while building my strength and stamina. Sure, I get sore feet and big blisters, but it lets me know I'm alive and kickin’.
~Quentin W.

One of my favorite high intensity outdoor activities is hiking in the canyons. You get outside and breathe the fresh air, and you really get a workout going up and down inclines and walking in the sand. My dog loves to come with us, as well as my husband and kids. We like to make it a family activity. We normally take a few sandwiches, some trail mix, and lots of water!
~Paulette S.

My favorite outdoor high intensity activity is whitewater kayaking. It is grueling and exciting at the same time. There is no better feeling than maneuvering in the rapids.
~Janet M.

I work in Washington, D.C., within walking distance of the White House and all of the monuments located on the National Mall. I love to walk at lunch time and on my way home via Pennsylvania Avenue, right past the White House. It gives me a chance to unwind, clear my head and just take in the marvelous sights of D.C. At times I power-walk and sometimes I walk briskly, I simply enjoy myself and get a good workout also.
~Ellen S.

REMINDERS:

Remember to fill out State Champion, Model School, and Demonstration Center applications to ensure that your students are rewarded for their hard work! For more information, including application deadlines and guidelines, please visit http://www.presidentschallenge.org/educators/school_recognition.aspx.

SPECIAL THANKS:

We would like to extend a special thanks to all of the President's Challenge Advocates. Please visit the Advocates area on the http://www.presidentschallenge.org/ web site to see how companies, organizations and groups are making a difference with the President's Challenge.

FEEDBACK:

We would like to hear from you. If you have any topics that you would like to see addressed in Fitness is Fun or any comments regarding this list, please let us know. You can provide them by emailing us at preschal@indiana.edu.

To view past issues of Fitness is Fun visit our website: http://www.presidentschallenge.org/. Enter the site by choosing the appropriate category, then click on "news/research".

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Fitness is Fun! May 2008

Fitness is Fun!
May 2008