Fitness is Fun!
October 2008

New Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans
On October 7, 2008 the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HSS) announced the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. These guidelines provide comprehensive science-based guidance in a 60+ page document based on the 683-page report submitted by the advisory committee. The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans are designed so that people can customize them to fit their lifestyle and are able to include activities that they enjoy. These guidelines contain examples of activities for different age groups and those with special considerations.

Health benefits of physical activity occur for children and adolescents, young and middle-aged adults, older adults, and those in every studied racial and ethnic group. With regular physical activity, children and adolescents are able to improve their cardio and muscular fitness, along with bone health, and can also reduce symptoms of depression. Adults, younger and older, lower the risk of coronary disease, stroke, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and colon and breast cancer and can help prevent falls and reduce depression. Regular physical activity can also benefit older adults by allowing them to enjoy better thinking ability, and it can also help with arthritis or other rheumatic conditions affecting the joints by improving pain management, function, and quality of life.

Some type of physical activity is better than no type of physical activity. The more physically active you are, the more benefits you will be able to reap. For most health outcomes, additional benefits occur as the amount of physical activity increases through higher intensity levels, greater frequency, and/or longer duration. But remember to be safe as well as active. These Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans include tips for safe physical activity. An example would be choosing activities that are appropriate for current fitness level and health goals. Another example would be to increase physical activity gradually over time to meet those guidelines or health goals. Also remember to use appropriate gear and sports equipment and look for safe environments.

For more information about Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, please visit http://www.hhs.gov or http://www.health.gov/paguidelines.

ADULT FITNESS TEST
The PCPFS recently launched an online Adult Fitness Test at Results Gym on Capitol Hill. Many baby boomers remember taking the youth fitness test in elementary school, and now have a chance to see how they score as adults! The activities featured on the adult fitness test provide you with an estimate of your level of aerobic fitness, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility and body composition. The results of each test provide you with a measure from which you can track your progress in each area as you become more physically active. If you’re an adult and interested in testing your fitness level, please visit http://www.adultfitnesstest.org/.

Heads Up: Concussion in Youth Sports – FREE Tool Kit
Attention youth sport coaches! Order your FREE "Heads Up" Concussions Tool Kits! As many as 3.8 million sports-and recreation-related concussions are estimated to occur in the United States each year. A concussion is a brain injury caused by a bump or blow to the head that can change the way your brain normally works. Even what seems to be a mild bump or blow to the head can be serious. As a coach or youth sports administrator, you play a vital role in sharing this information with athletes and parents. Coaches and sports administrators can order or download FREE "Heads Up: Concussion In Youth Sports" Tool Kits at http://www.cdc.gov/ConcussionInYouthSports.

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 most recent issue focuses on Promoting Physical Activity Using Technology. To view or subscribe to the Digest please visit http://www.presidentschallenge.org/misc/news_research/research_digest.aspx.

EPA Grants for Healthy Communities and Active Aging
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency plans to award in early 2009, two grants for $100,000 each to train older adults to be environmental leaders and demonstrate how greenways and sustainable streets can improve the environment, human health and the quality of life for persons of all ages. Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging Training and Demonstration Projects must include a strategy that either 1) trains older adults to be environmental leaders on local planning decisions that affect their community's built environment; or 2) demonstrates how greenways and sustainable streets can improve the quality of life for persons of all ages while improving environmental quality.

Letters of intent are encouraged by October 24, 2008.

Proposals must be submitted by November 21, 2008.

For more information please visit http://www.epa.gov/aging/grants/index.htm#2008_1121_grant_1.

To read the downloadable pdf please visit http://www.epa.gov/aging/grants/grant-list/2008_11_21_rfp-epa-ao-ochp-08-01-fnl-rev-9-24.pdf.

National Gardening Association and Home Depot Announce 2009 Youth Garden Grants Program
Deadline for Applications: November 1, 2008.
The Youth Garden Grants program has helped more than 1.3 million youngsters reap rewards and vital life lessons from working in gardens and habitats. NGA awards Youth Garden Grants to schools and community organizations with child-centered garden programs. In evaluating grant applications, priority will be given to programs that emphasize one or more of these elements: educational focus or curricular/program integration; nutrition or plant-to-food connections; environmental awareness/education; entrepreneurship; social aspects of gardening such as leadership development, team building, community support, or service-learning. Schools, youth groups, community centers, camps, clubs, treatment facilities, and intergenerational groups throughout the United States are eligible. Applicants must plan to garden with at least 15 children between the ages of 3 and 18 years. Previous Youth Garden Grant winners who wish to reapply may do so, but must wait one year (e.g., if you won in 2008, you can apply again in 2010) and have significantly expanded their garden programs. For more information, please visit http://www.kidsgardening.org/YGG.asp.