Fowarded for information.
well wishes,
kaete
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Alberta Centre for Active Living: Physical Activity Forum Videos
Date: Wed, 4 Jul 2007 15:18:57 -0600
From: Judy Newman <judy.newman@...>
Reply-To: Health Promotion on the Internet <CLICK4HP@...>
Organization: Alberta Centre for Active Living
To: CLICK4HP@...
ALBERTA CENTRE FOR ACTIVE LIVING
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY FORUM 2007: PROMOTING HEALTH THROUGH COMMUNITY DESIGN
Videos of Presentations Now Available at
http://www.centre4activeliving.ca/news/physical_activity_forum/2007built_env
iro/index.html
________________________________
Dr. Larry Frank, an expert in sustainable transportation from the University
of British Columbia, spoke at the Alberta Centre for Active Living's
Physical Activity Forum 2007 on "Promoting Health Through Community Design."
Dr. Frank's presentation was followed by a panel discussion between Dr.
Frank and several key professionals, including experts in physical activity,
urban and transportation planning, land use and environmental design.
Videos of Dr. Frank's presentation and the panel discussion are now
available. Depending on your Internet connection, you can download versions
for high speed or dial-up connections.
The Alberta Centre for Active Living is affiliated with the Faculty of
Physical Education and Recreation at the University of Alberta and supported
by the Alberta Sport, Recreation, Parks & Wildlife Foundation and the
Alberta Government.
Hi all,
A Canadian site of interest is 'What Older Women Want' at
http://www.wowhealth.ca/index.html
See particularly the sections on exercise.
well wishes,
Kaete
FYI
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Alberta Centre for Active Living: June 2007 issue of Research Update
Date: Wed, 13 Jun 2007 09:10:23 -0600
From: Judy Newman <judy.newman@...>
Reply-To: Health Promotion on the Internet <CLICK4HP@...>
Organization: Alberta Centre for Active Living
To: CLICK4HP@...
June 2007 issue
Research Update
<http://www.centre4activeliving.ca/publications/research.html>
www.centre4activeliving.ca/publications/research.html
_____
*Alberta Centre for Active Living article
"Promoting a Healthy Body Image Through Physical Activity"
By Pirkko Marko, PhD, Professor, Faculty of Physical Education and
Recreation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta. This article gives
fitness professionals practical suggestions for ways to promote physical
activity for improved health rather than as a way to reach an unrealistic
body image.
*Dietitians of Canada article
"Hunger on Campus: Understanding Food Insecurity in Post-Secondary Students"
By Krista Rondeau, RD, MSc candidate, Centre for Health Promotion Studies,
School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB. Find out about
hunger and food banks on Canadian campuses. The article especially focuses
on a study of student food insecurity at the University of Alberta Campus
Food Bank.
To post articles from Research Update on your website or in your newsletter,
please contact Kathy Garnsworthy (kathy.garnsworthy@...)
<mailto:kathy.garnsworthy@...> . To subscribe to RSS updates from
the Alberta Centre for Active Living's website, visit
<http://www.centre4activeliving.ca/rssfeedinfo.html>
www.centre4activeliving.ca/rssfeedinfo.html.
News from the Alberta Centre for Active Living
* Visit the centre's new Physical Activity @ Work website
(www.centre4activeliving.ca/workplace/).
* Centre's Physical Activity Backgrounder for Decision-Makers. An
information sheet for decision-makers that details the reasons to promote
physical activity policies. The handout also lists Canadian and Albertan
rates of physical inactivity and some of the major costs of physical
inactivity. (www.centre4activeliving.ca/publications/factsheets.html)
* Spring into Summer with SummerActive, May 11 to June 22, 2007
(www.summeractive.org). May 24, 2007, was Alberta Active Living Challenge
Day. Over 65,198 Albertans registered their physical activity on Challenge
Day.
The Alberta Centre for Active Living is affiliated with the Faculty of
Physical Education and Recreation at the University of Alberta and supported
by the Alberta Sport, Recreation, Parks & Wildlife Foundation and the
Alberta Government.
<http://www.centre4activeliving.ca>
<mailto:judith.down@...>
To UNSUBSCRIBE send to: listserv@... the following phrase "unsubscribe
click4hp" as unquoted text. To view archives or manage your subscription (and
create a password) go to http://listserv.yorku.ca/archives/click4hp.html
-------- Original Message --------
NOTE: To view the article with Web enhancements, go to:
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/556638
Even Small Amounts of Exercise Are Beneficial CME/CE
News Author: Sue Hughes
CME Author: Charles Vega, MD
May 17, 2007 — Even small amounts of physical activity — approximately 75
minutes per week — can improve cardiorespiratory fitness levels of sedentary
overweight individuals, a study shows.
While this level of exercise is lower than that currently recommended to produce
weight loss, the current findings may be used to encourage those people who do
not exercise at present to start doing some form of physical activity, the
authors advise.
The study, published in the May 16 issue of JAMA, was conducted by a team led by
Timothy S. Church, MD, MPH, PhD, from the Louisiana State University System in
Baton Rouge.
The authors point out that improvements in fitness are associated with a
reduction in the risk for cardiovascular disease and death, and that, as
physical activity is the main determinant of fitness in adults, continuing to
refine efficient, safe, and acceptable exercise regimens is of substantial
public health importance. Whereas the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Consensus Development Panel recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity
physical activity on most days of the week, the authors note that recent reports
suggest that 60 minutes of exercise each day may be necessary to prevent weight
gain. But they add that the effect of much lower amounts of exercise has not
been well studied.
The team therefore conducted a trial in which 464 sedentary postmenopausal women
who were overweight or obese and had raised blood pressure were randomized to 3
different durations of moderate exercise (cycling or walking) or to a
nonexercise control group for 6 months. The 3 exercise levels were designed to
achieve energy expenditure of 4 kcal/kg (400 calories), 8 kcal/kg (800
calories), or 12 kcal/kg (1200 calories) per week, which corresponded to 50%,
100%, and 150% of NIH-recommended exercise levels. Aerobic fitness was assessed
on a cycle ergometer and quantified as peak absolute oxygen consumption. Results
showed a graded increase in fitness levels with increased exercise levels.
Table. Relationship Between Exercise Time and Fitness Level
Parameters Weekly Energy Expenditure, kcal/kg
4 8 12
Exercise time per week, minutes 72.2 135.8 191.7
Change in peak absolute oxygen consumption vs control, % 4.2 6.0 8.2
Source: JAMA. 2007;297:2081-2091.
Church and colleagues report that these improvements in fitness occurred at a
modest training intensity and during a time of life when fitness is decreasing
at 1% to 2% per year. They also point out that the adherence rate was high and
dropout rate was low, suggesting that the exercise regimens followed in this
study were realistic and achievable. In addition, they found that the physical
activity–fitness dose response relation to be similar across age, race, weight,
baseline fitness, and hormone therapy subgroups.
Although the changes in fitness shown in this study were not accompanied by a
reduction in blood pressure, weight, or most other cardiovascular risk factors,
those who exercised did show a decrease in waist circumference, which the
authors say is important given the increased risk for insulin resistance,
diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and mortality associated with excess abdominal
fat.
"Perhaps the most striking finding of our study is that even activity at the
4-kcal/kg per week level (approximately 72 min/wk) was associated with a
significant improvement in fitness compared with women in the nonexercise
control group," the authors write.
They note that nearly everyone understands that there are health benefits
associated with physical activity, yet still about 20% of US adults do not
engage in any physical activity at all. "Data presented in our study show that
even 72 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week accumulated
over about 3 days has a significant effect on fitness in previously sedentary
postmenopausal women. This information can be used to support future
recommendations and should be encouraging to sedentary adults who find it
difficult to find the time for 150 minutes of activity per week, let alone 60
minutes per day," they add.
How Much Exercise Do We Need?
In an accompanying editorial, I-Min Lee, MBBS, ScD, from Brigham and Women's
Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, explains that guidelines on how much exercise
should be done have varied, with recommendations from the 1970s and 1980s
prescribing vigorous exercise (eg, running) for 20 minutes continuously, 3 days
per week; those from the 1990s suggesting at least 30 minutes per day of
accumulated moderate-intensity activity (eg, brisk walking) most days of the
week; and most recent reports advocating at least 60 minutes per day of moderate
activity. "Predictably, many patients and clinicians are confused about what
dose of physical activity is needed," she writes, adding that the current study
provides some clarification on the dose-response issue.
But she adds that overweight individuals should not be lulled into believing
that 72 minutes per week of physical activity will ameliorate their weight
concerns and that, given the typical US diet, guidelines suggesting 60 minutes
or more of daily physical activity are more appropriate if weight control is the
primary goal.
The editorialist also points out that many questions remain unanswered. These
include whether vigorous activities, such as running, can improve the
cardiovascular risk factors that the moderate activities in the current study
did not, whether a different pattern of moderate exercise would show the same
fitness gain, and what the highest advisable level of exercise is.
Even a Little Is Good; More May Be Better
But Dr. Lee concludes, "Although current knowledge regarding the dose-response
relation between physical activity and health remains incomplete, the study by
Church et al does provide important information on the dose of physical activity
to improve physical fitness, a strong predictor of chronic disease and premature
mortality. This may be succinctly summarized for patients and clinicians as
'Even a little is good; more may be better!'"
JAMA. 2007;297:2053, 2081-2091.
The complete contents of Heartwire, a professional news service of WebMD, can be
found at www.theheart.org, a Web site for cardiovascular healthcare
professionals.
Learning Objectives for This Educational Activity
Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:
* Identify current recommendations for physical activity among adults.
* Describe the effect of increasing levels of physical activity on
postmenopausal women.
Clinical Context
The NIH Consensus Development Panel recommends that adults perform at least 30
minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most, if not all, days of the
week. Unfortunately, many adults in the United States do not even approach
achieving this standard. Nearly one third of postmenopausal women in the United
States report no physical activity at all and the overall level of inactivity
increases with age.
The NIH recommendation is based on available data on exercise in adults, but the
question of the ideal level of physical activity to prevent chronic disease is
debatable. The effect of increasing levels of exercise on improving physical
fitness is also unclear, and the authors of the current study examine a cohort
of postmenopausal women to address this question.
Study Highlights
* Eligible patients were postmenopausal women between the ages of 45 and 75
years who had a body mass index between 25 and 43 kg/m2 and a systolic blood
pressure between 120 and 159.9 mm Hg. All women included in the trial were
sedentary at baseline. Women with a history of stroke or myocardial infarction
were excluded from study participation.
* Women were randomized into 1 of 4 groups: no exercise (control) or
exercise groups designed to expend 4, 8, or 12 kcal/kg per week. These exercise
levels were designed to represent 50%, 100%, and 150% of current NIH-recommended
exercise levels. Exercise was to be completed during 3 or 4 sessions each week
for 6 months and consisted of walking or cycling. Exercise was conducted at 50%
of estimated peak levels for each individual.
* The primary outcome was the difference in peak absolute oxygen
consumption, a measure of physical fitness, during cycle ergometry at baseline
and 6 months. Other fitness outcomes included peak relative oxygen consumption,
peak power output, and maximal metabolic equivalent tasks achieved during
exercise testing.
* To try to standardize the level of exercise in each group, subjects wore
pedometers to record daily steps. Adherence to the study protocol was encouraged
with financial rewards. Subjects were also followed up for anthropometric data,
serum lipid values, serum glucose levels, and blood pressure.
* 464 women underwent randomization, and 92% of the study cohort completed
follow-up testing at 6 months. The mean age of subjects was 57.3 years, and the
mean body mass index was 31.8 kg/m2. Mean baseline systolic blood pressure was
139.8 mm Hg, although baseline mean lipid and glucose levels were at expected
levels for subjects' age. Baseline levels of physical fitness were very low.
* Weekly mean exercise durations in the 4-, 8-, and 12-kcal/kg per week
exercise groups were 72.2, 135.8, and 191.7 minutes, respectively. The mean
numbers of weekly exercise sessions per group were 2.6, 2.8, and 3.1,
respectively.
* The numbers of daily steps outside of the exercise sessions were roughly
similar for all treatment groups.
* There was a significant trend of improving fitness with greater amounts
of exercise. The peak absolute oxygen consumption increased by 4.2%, 6%, and
8.2% vs the control groups in the 4-, 8-, and 12-kcal/kg per week exercise
groups, respectively. Outcomes for peak relative oxygen concentration and
metabolic equivalent tasks achieved during exercise were similar, with
increasing duration of exercise associated with improved fitness.
* Weight and body fat percentage remained stable in all treatment groups,
although waist circumference was smaller in the exercise groups vs controls.
* Blood pressure and serum lipid values were not improved with exercise vs
control treatment. There was a trend toward reduced fasting glucose levels with
greater levels of exercise.
* Subgroup analysis based on age, body mass index, weight, and baseline
fitness did not significantly alter the study's main result.
Pearls for Practice
* The NIH Consensus Development Panel recommends that adults perform at
least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most, if not all,
days of the week.
* The current study suggests that progressively increasing levels of
exercise can result in a graded improvement in physical fitness among sedentary
postmenopausal women who are obese or overweight. However, exercise did not
improve weight, body fat percentage, or blood pressure.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/03/fashion/03Fitness.html?em&ex=1178510400&en=1cb\
6ff4e46c2158a&ei=5087%0A
May 3, 2007
Fitness
A Healthy Mix of Rest and Motion
By PETER JARET
SOME gymgoers are tortoises. They prefer to take their sweet time, leisurely
pedaling or ambling along on a treadmill. Others are hares, impatiently racing
through miles at high intensity.
Each approach offers similar health benefits: lower risk of heart disease,
protection against Type 2 diabetes, and weight loss.
But new findings suggest that for at least one workout a week it pays to be both
tortoise and hare — alternating short bursts of high-intensity exercise with
easy-does-it recovery.
Weight watchers, prediabetics and those who simply want to increase their
fitness all stand to gain.
This alternating fast-slow technique, called interval training, is hardly new.
For decades, serious athletes have used it to improve performance.
But new evidence suggests that a workout with steep peaks and valleys can
dramatically improve cardiovascular fitness and raise the body’s potential to
burn fat.
Best of all, the benefits become evident in a matter of weeks.
“There’s definitely renewed interest in interval training,” said Ed Coyle, the
director of the human performance laboratory at the University of Texas at
Austin.
A 2005 study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology found that after
just two weeks of interval training, six of the eight college-age men and women
doubled their endurance, or the amount of time they could ride a bicycle at
moderate intensity before exhaustion.
Eight volunteers in a control group, who did not do any interval training,
showed no improvement in endurance.
Researchers at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, had the exercisers
sprint for 30 seconds, then either stop or pedal gently for four minutes.
Such a stark improvement in endurance after 15 minutes of intense cycling spread
over two weeks was all the more surprising because the volunteers were already
reasonably fit. They jogged, biked or did aerobic exercise two to three times a
week.
Doing bursts of hard exercise not only improves cardiovascular fitness but also
the body’s ability to burn fat, even during low- or moderate-intensity workouts,
according to a study published this month, also in the Journal of Applied
Physiology. Eight women in their early 20s cycled for 10 sets of four minutes of
hard riding, followed by two minutes of rest. Over two weeks, they completed
seven interval workouts.
After interval training, the amount of fat burned in an hour of continuous
moderate cycling increased by 36 percent, said Jason L. Talanian, the lead
author of the study and an exercise scientist at the University of Guelph in
Ontario. Cardiovascular fitness — the ability of the heart and lungs to supply
oxygen to working muscles — improved by 13 percent.
It didn’t matter how fit the subjects were before. Borderline sedentary subjects
and the college athletes had similar increases in fitness and fat burning. “Even
when interval training was added on top of other exercise they were doing, they
still saw a significant improvement,” Mr. Talanian said.
That said, this was a small study that lacked a control group, so more research
would be needed to confirm that interval training was responsible.
Interval training isn’t for everyone. “Pushing your heart rate up very high with
intensive interval training can put a strain on the cardiovascular system,
provoking a heart attack or stroke in people at risk,” said Walter R. Thompson,
professor of exercise science at Georgia State University in Atlanta.
For anyone with heart disease or high blood pressure — or who has joint problems
such as arthritis or is older than 60 — experts say to consult a doctor before
starting interval training.
Still, anyone in good health might consider doing interval training once or
twice a week. Joggers can alternate walking and sprints. Swimmers can complete a
couple of fast laps, then four more slowly.
There is no single accepted formula for the ratio between hard work and a
moderate pace or resting. In fact, many coaches recommend varying the duration
of activity and rest.
But some guidelines apply. The high-intensity phase should be long and strenuous
enough that a person is out of breath — typically one to four minutes of
exercise at 80 to 85 percent of their maximum heart rate. Recovery periods
should not last long enough for their pulse to return to its resting rate.
Also people should remember to adequately warm up before the first interval.
Coaches advise that, ideally, people should not do interval work on consecutive
days. More than 24 hours between such taxing sessions will allow the body to
recover and help them avoid burnout.
What is so special about interval training? One advantage is that it allows
exercisers to spend more time doing high-intensity activity than they could in a
single sustained effort. “The rest period in interval training gives the body
time to remove some of the waste products of working muscles,” said Barry A.
Franklin, the director of the cardiac rehabilitation and exercise laboratories
at the William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Mich.
To go hard, the body must use new muscle fibers. Once these recent recruits are
trained, they are available to burn fuel even during easy-does-it workouts. “Any
form of exercise that recruits new muscle fibers is going to enhance the body’s
ability to metabolize carbohydrates and fat,” Dr. Coyle said.
Interval training also stimulates change in mitochondria, where fuel is
converted to energy, causing them to burn fat first — even during low- and
moderate-intensity workouts, Mr. Talanian said.
Improved fat burning means endurance athletes can go further before tapping into
carbohydrate stores. It is also welcome news to anyone trying to lose weight or
avoid gaining it.
Unfortunately, many people aren’t active enough to keep muscles healthy. At the
sedentary extreme, one result can be what Dr. Coyle calls “metabolic stalling” —
carbohydrates in the form of blood glucose and fat particles in the form of
triglycerides sit in the blood. That, he suspects, could be a contributing
factor to metabolic syndrome, the combination of obesity, insulin resistance,
high cholesterol and elevated triglycerides that increases the risk of heart
disease and diabetes.
By recruiting new muscle fibers and increasing the body’s ability to use fuel,
interval training could potentially lower the risk of metabolic syndrome.
Interval training does amount to hard work, but the sessions can be short. Best
of all, a workout that combines tortoise and hare leaves little time for
boredom.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/555986_print
Risks and Benefits of Exercise Reviewed in AHA Statement CME/CE
News Author: Shelley Wood
CME Author: Désirée Lie, MD, MSEd
Complete author affiliations and disclosures, and other CME information, are
available at the end of this activity.
Release Date: May 3, 2007; Valid for credit through May 3, 2008
Credits Available
Physicians - maximum of 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™ for physicians;
Family Physicians - up to 0.25 AAFP Prescribed credit(s) for physicians;
Nurses - 0.25 nursing contact hours (None of these credits is in the area of
pharmacology)
All other healthcare professionals completing continuing education credit for
this activity will be issued a certificate of participation.
Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their
participation in the activity.
from Heartwire — a professional news service of WebMD
May 3, 2007 — A scientific statement released by the American Heart Association
(AHA) aims to put the risks and benefits of exercise "in perspective." According
to first author and Co-Chair Paul D. Thompson, MD, FAHA, many clinicians may be
familiar with information summarized in the statement, but having that
information compiled in a single document should help them make decisions and
answer questions in their day-to-day practices.
In particular, the statement addresses the potential adverse cardiovascular
events that can be triggered by exercise, how these events arise, and how often
they occur and in whom, and provides strategies for reducing complications.
Although the statement does not provide step-by-step guidance for dealing with
different groups or scenarios, it does synthesize a lot of information from a
range of exercise-related documents, and directs clinicians to those documents,
where appropriate.
The statement is published online in the April 27 Published Ahead of Print issue
and in the May print issue of Circulation.
Exercise Beneficial in Most, but Not All
A key point, said Dr. Thompson, is that doctors and allied healthcare
professionals, while advocating regular physical activity, must keep in mind
that some patients may not benefit from exercise. "We always talk about the fact
that exercise and physical activity has benefits, and that in adults, even if
they have mild underlying heart disease or coronary atherosclerosis, the
benefits of exercise outweigh the risks, and that's where most of the evidence
lies," he explained. "But as we mention in this statement, some situations
aren't improved by vigorous exercise, things like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
and anomalous coronary arteries. That's pretty obvious when you think about it,
but it's an addition that hasn't been made before. The simple point that some
doctors and cardiologists should take from this is that there are some groups
who simply don't benefit from being engaged in vigorous exercise."
A Compilation of Helpful Information
The statement reviews the well-established pathological causes of cardiac events
in younger vs older adults: in people younger than 40 years, hereditary or
congenital abnormalities are typically the cause of exercise-related events,
whereas in people older than 40 years, coronary disease is the most common
underlying cause. But, as the authors point out, habitual physical exercise has
been shown to reduce the risk for events in most people, even those with occult
disease, and cardiac rehabilitation appears to reduce the risk for coronary
heart disease (CHD) death in people with diagnosed disease. This holds true even
though vigorous exercise increases the risk for an event during exercise or soon
after. "No evidence suggests that the risks of physical activity outweigh the
benefits for healthy subjects. Indeed, the converse appears to be true,"
Thompson and colleagues write.
To heartwire, Dr. Thompson highlighted other parts of the statement that he
believes will be particularly helpful to clinicians.
"This statement is a good compilation of things people ask about frequently,
such as morning versus afternoon exercise. So it's a useful document for doctors
who talk to patients. When patients say, 'I heard it's more dangerous to
exercise in the morning,' this goes through the fact that there is a theoretical
consideration of that, but very little data to support it. We come down on the
side that it's more important for individuals to exercise regularly than it is
that they worry about morning versus evening."
Another example, he said, is whether different types of exercise are more
harmful than others — another topic covered in the statement. "We talk about the
fact that snow-shoveling has been repeatedly associated with increased
cardiovascular events and probably elicits a higher cardiovascular stress than
other activities," Dr. Thompson said.
Other topics covered in the statement include identification of prodromal
symptoms, preparing fitness personnel and exercise facilities for cardiovascular
emergencies, and preparticipation screening.
Dr. Thompson has disclosed research grants from Merck, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and
Kos Pharma. Complete disclosure information for Dr. Thompson and the other
authors is available in the original article.
Circulation. Published online April 27, 2007.
2007;115:2358-2368.
The complete contents of Heartwire, a professional news service of WebMD, can be
found at www.theheart.org, a Web site for cardiovascular healthcare
professionals.
Learning Objectives for This Educational Activity
Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:
* Describe the risk for sudden cardiac death associated with exercise.
* Describe the American Heart Association recommendations for reducing risk
in patients who exercise.
Clinical Context
According to the authors of the current statement, habitual physical activity
reduces CHD events but vigorous activity can increase the risk for sudden
cardiac death and acute myocardial infarction in susceptible persons,
particularly those who are least habitually active. This review of the AHA in
collaboration with the American College of Sports Medicine examines the evidence
for screening individuals before exercise programs and the value of training
emergency personnel for sports events, and compares the risk for sudden cardiac
death according to age and risk factors.
Study Highlights
* Vigorous exercise is defined as an absolute exercise work rate of at
least 6 metabolic equivalents, which approximates the energy equivalent of
activities such as jogging.
* In individuals younger than 30 or 40 years, the most frequent underlying
factors for sudden cardiac death are pathologic congenital cardiovascular
abnormalities and myocarditis.
* Ventricular arrhythmias are most often the immediate cause of death
except for Marfan syndrome, in which aortic rupture is often the proximate
cause.
* In young adults with predisposing conditions such as hypertrophic
cardiomyopathy or anomalous coronary arteries, the risk from vigorous physical
activity is likely to exceed the benefits.
* The incidence of sudden cardiac death in young adults has been estimated
at 0.9 and 2.3 per 100,000 for nonathletes and athletes, respectively.
* In older adults, studies in 2 US states estimated hourly death rate has
been shown to be 7.6 to 25 times higher during exertion than during leisurely
activities.
* The relative risk was greatest among the least vs the most active men.
* In older individuals who die during vigorous exercise, CHD is the most
frequent underlying cause.
* Vigorous physical activity may cause coronary thrombosis by worsening
mild plaque fissure.
* For patients with CHD, the relative risk for cardiac arrest during
vigorous exercise has been documented at 6 to 164 times greater vs without
exertion.
* Vigorous exertion transiently increases the risk for acute myocardial
infarction and sudden cardiac death, especially among habitually sedentary
persons.
* Soon after vigorous exercise, the risk for acute myocardial infarction
may be 50 times higher for habitually inactive persons vs the most active
individuals.
* Over time, regular physical activity reduces CHD events.
* Acute myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death among adults and
sudden death among nonathletes with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy are more
frequent during early morning hours.
* Sudden death and cardiac arrest among young athletes occur primarily in
the afternoon and early evening, associated with training and competition.
* The incidence of both acute myocardial infarction and sudden death is
greatest in those habitually least physically active; no strategies have been
adequately studied to evaluate their ability to reduce exercise-related acute
cardiovascular events.
* Observational studies suggest that regular exercise to maintain fitness
confers protection against CHD death.
* The AHA recommends preparticipation screening of high school and college
athletes and screening at 2- to 4-year intervals.
* Preparticipation screening of athletes aged 12 to 35 years, including
electrocardiograms, has been associated with a 90% decrease in sudden death from
3.6 to 0.4 deaths per 100,000 athletes.
* Those with risk factors for CHD should receive preparticipation screening
before beginning an exercise program.
* The US Preventive Services Task Force states that insufficient evidence
is available to evaluate the value of exercise testing before exercise programs,
but the AHA and American College of Sports Medicine recommend exercise testing
before vigorous exercise in persons with known cardiovascular disease.
* Prodromal symptoms are more common among those who experience sudden
cardiac death, and attention should be paid to athletes with cardiac complaints.
* The AHA recommends that coaches and trainers be trained in
cardiopulmonary resuscitation and participants in fitness facilities should be
screened for heart disease.
* Active individuals should modify their exercise programs in response to
variations in capacity, habitual activity, and the environment.
Pearls for Practice
* Vigorous exercise confers a risk for sudden death among nonathletes,
young adults with structural heart disease, and older adults with cardiovascular
risk factors.
* Preexercise screening is recommended for young athletes and those with
cardiovascular risk, and athletes with prodromal cardiac symptoms should be
assessed for sudden cardiac death risk.
(Continued at http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/555986?src=mp )
From the latest edition of the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation
(http://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/) newsletter, 'VicHealth':
Ross, Andrew; Hoban, Rosie. (Freelance Writer (1); Journalist, Melbourne Vic
(2))
The gold medal participation: a new role for sport.
VicHealth Letter no.29 Autumn 2007: 4-6, and Online (whole issue PDF 2.96MB)
http://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/assets/contentFiles/VHletterNo.%2029-2007.pdf
Physical activity and fitness are widely seen as a valuable focus for public
health strategies in tackling growing health problems such as obesity and
diabetes. This article discusses some of the barriers to broadening
participation in sports organisations, such as elitism and competitiveness. It
argues for a more structured approach to connect sport with wider agendas of
inclusiveness, participation and health promotion.
Ferguson, Adam. (Freelance Journalist)
Sport: a universal language and force for change.
VicHealth Letter no.29 Autumn 2007: 10-11, and Online (whole issue PDF 2.96MB)
http://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/assets/contentFiles/VHletterNo.%2029-2007.pdf
At the community level, sport offers the individual and the community many
benefits. However, the racism and other discriminatory attitudes that are often
found in sports clubs can discourage the participation of many in the community.
This article describes some initiatives underway in organised sport to overcome
barriers to inclusion for disabled people, Indigenous Australians, migrants and
other socially disadvantaged groups.
Mogensen, Krista. (Freelance Writer)
Model citizens.
VicHealth Letter no.29 Autumn 2007: 12-14, and Online (whole issue PDF 2.96MB)
http://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/assets/contentFiles/VHletterNo.%2029-2007.pdf
Positive role models can help overcome barriers to participation in sport and
recreation. This article describes several community role models who are
successful in encouraging participation in various activities: Koori Try a
Triathlon and netball squads, a rugby club with a physically and culturally
diverse membership, athletics for disabled people, walking groups for older
people.
For information
well wishes,
Kate
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: New projects at the Alberta Centre for Active Living
Date: Tue, 13 Mar 2007 15:16:25 -0700
From: Judy Newman <judy.newman@...>
Reply-To: Health Promotion on the Internet <CLICK4HP@...>
Organization: Alberta Centre for Active Living
To: CLICK4HP@...
Good Things Are Happening at the Alberta Centre for Active Living
Here are just a few of the projects we're working on...
- Tanya Berry's Blog on Physical Activity: Our Research Associate's personal
take on issues in the physical activity field
(http://www.centre4activeliving.ca)
- Resource Information Round-Up: Rosanne Prinsen, the centre's Resource
Coordinator, sums up physical activity information from media, research and
practitioner sources
(http://www.centre4activeliving.ca/library/2007_jan_round-up.pdf)
- Physical Activity @ Work: Bringing Physical Activity into the Workday: A
new, user-friendly website designed for employers, human resource advisors,
and workplace wellness coordinators. Launching in April 2007.
For more information about each of these projects, visit our website at
http://www.centre4activeliving.ca/news/new_features.pps
To UNSUBSCRIBE send to: listserv@... the following phrase "unsubscribe
click4hp" as unquoted text. To view archives or manage your subscription (and
create a password) go to http://listserv.yorku.ca/archives/click4hp.html
Some articles in this month's WellSpring which may interest.
well wishes,
Kate
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Alberta Centre for Active Living: Feb. 2007 WellSpring
Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2007 09:54:17 -0700
From: Judy Newman <judy.newman@...>
Reply-To: Health Promotion on the Internet <CLICK4HP@...>
Organization: Alberta Centre for Active Living
To: CLICK4HP@...
ALBERTA CENTRE FOR ACTIVE LIVING: FEB./07 WELLSPRING
STEPPING OUT: MALL WALKING AND OLDER ADULTS
http://www.centre4activeliving.ca/publications/wellspring.html
a. Feature article: Mall Walking: A New Strategy for Physical Activity Among
Older Adults.
This article describes both the benefits of walking in general and the
benefits of mall walking, especially for older adults.
b. Commentary: Mall Walking Programs in Alberta.
This issue's commentary outlines some of the features of successful mall
walking programs in Alberta.
To reprint either of these articles, please contact us at
active.living@....
----------------
NEWS FROM THE CENTRE
a. Dr. Dru Marshall (chair of the Alberta Centre for Active Living's
Executive Management Group) has just been appointed the new Deputy Provost
at the University of Alberta, effective June 1, 2007. This appointment
recognizes Dr Marshall's exceptional work for the university's Faculty of
Physical Education and Recreation over many years, as professor, coach, and,
most recently, Vice Dean. Dru has had a long and happy association with the
centre, first as a researcher and then as chair of our Executive Management
Group for many years.
--------------
b. Canadian Health Network's The Crazy Race: A Race for Your Health Invite
your friends to play CHN’s Crazy Race, an exciting online game in real-time.
Compete against other runners by answering a few short CHN health quizzes.
The first runner to cross the finish line wins a CHN health gift-pack! The
Alberta Centre for Active Living manages the Active Living section on
www.canadian-health-network.ca.
Du neuf au Réseau canadien de la santé (RCS) La course folle : Courez pour
la santé!
Invitez vos amis à se joindre à La course folle, l’enlevant cyberjeu en
temps réel du RCS. Mesurez-vous aux autres coureurs en répondant à quelques
petits quiz santé du RCS. Le premier coureur à franchir le fil d’arrivée se
mérite un ensemble cadeau santé offert par le RCS ! Le Alberta Centre for
Active Living gère le volet Vie Active du site Web
www.canadian-health-network.ca.
--------------
c. Visit the centre's website for information and links related to physical
activity
- and different populations (e.g., children and youth, people with
disabilities, women)
- in various settings (e.g., workplaces, schools)
- and chronic diseases (e.g., heart disease, diabetes, cancer)
- and other topics (e.g., walking/pedometers, mental health).
To access this information, visit our website at www.centre4activeliving.ca.
To UNSUBSCRIBE send to: listserv@... the following phrase "unsubscribe
click4hp" as unquoted text. To view archives or manage your subscription (and
create a password) go to http://listserv.yorku.ca/archives/click4hp.html
"Exercise in the Age of Evidence-Based Medicine: A Clinical Update
How much exercise should physicians be recommending to their patients?
Join Drs Blair, Thompson, and Church as they discuss the consensus
public health recommendations for aerobic and resistance exercise."
http://mp.medscape.com/cgi-bin1/DM/y/eBFNz0SeOHF0D2Q0IBRz0Es
More than just childs play
http://www.canadian-health-network.ca/servlet/ContentServer?cid=1162655047097&pa\
gename=CHN-RCS/CHNResource/CHNResourcePageTemplate&c=CHNResource
(or via http://www.canadian-health-network.ca/)
Glenda* worries that her six children aren't active enough.
"I know that they should be getting more exercise some days, but it is
difficult. With their school, my work, and other activities, we don't always
find the time," said Glenda.
One of Glenda's sons, Nicholas, age ten, says that although he likes games such
as soccer, he also spends a lot of time inside playing Nintendo. How to
encourage Nicholas and his siblings to be active is a challenge for Glenda.
Parents across Canada face the same challenge with their own children.
There are many different reasons why kids are active or not active. "It's not
just a matter of what they choose to do; social, physical and policy factors
also affect their level of activity."
Active kids = healthy adults
Regular physical activity—for children, at least 90 minutes a day—is a very
important part of a healthy lifestyle. A child's activity level plays an
essential role in the development of their physical and mental health. Sadly,
Canada's report card on physical activity for children and youth: 2006 (requires
PDF reader) shows that less than half of children in Canada get the amount of
exercise they need each day for healthy growth and development. Children who are
inactive are more likely to be inactive adults.
For kids and adults, not being active enough can have serious, negative results
over the course of a lifetime. Increasing physical activity can help prevent
many chronic diseases (requires PDF reader), including the Big Four:
cardiovascular disease, diabetes, lung disease and certain types of cancers.
Social factors make a difference to kids' physical activity
Eight-year-old Helen, Glenda's youngest child, loves to play outside in winter
in her front yard.
"I really like it when the whole family gets together and makes a snowman," she
says.
Glenda tries to get her kids to live a healthy, active life. She encourages
healthy activity by playing outside with them.
Families are role models
Like Glenda, parents' attitudes affect how active their sons and daughters are.
According to Canada's 2006 report card on physical activity for children and
youth, less than one-third of parents are aware of the daily activity guidelines
for children and youth.
" For kids and adults, not being active enough can have serious, negative
results over the course of a lifetime. "
Parents' concerns about safety can be limiting
Moms and dads may be scared to let their kids play outside or at recreation
facilities because they are worried about injuries, bullying or even abductions.
In the 2006 report, almost 80% of parents identified their children's safety as
a key concern.
Various groups have developed guidelines for playground safety to reduce the
risk of injuries during play.
The Canadian Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA) has developed Making All
Recreation Safe, a toolkit that will help communities put in place strategies to
prevent abuse and harassment to make sport and recreation safer.
As well, many communities have developed neighbourhood safety programs to help
residents feel safer.
Physical activity can be expensive
Sharon Jollimore, director of National Initiatives and Alliances at CPRA, says a
family's economic situation can influence kids' access to physical activity
opportunities.
"You can provide a low-income family with swimming passes, but if they don't
have the transportation to get there, or they don't have the bathing suits to
put on, it's not necessarily going to benefit them."
Sharon adds that some facilities require people to prove they can't pay before
providing a subsidy. "Some families would be too proud to ask for help."
Many communities are developing programs to make physical activities available
to everyone. One example is, Everybody Gets to Play, an initiative that helps
communities to find new ways to help low-income families participate in
recreation programs.
Girls aren't as active as boys
Natalie, 12, likes to kick the soccer ball around during recess. A lot of the
time she ends up playing soccer with the boys because the girls her age aren't
generally active during the break.
"The girls are usually in their own little [groups] talking," said Natalie.
"It's not always fun standing around talking about random stuff."
Boys are more active than girls by 10-15% (requires PDF reader).
There are many ways to encourage girls to be more active: (requires PDF reader)
* Use inclusive language that lets girls know they have a place in sport.
* Emphasize fun and being with friends.
* Share personal experiences about how physical activity makes you feel;
talk about female role models.
* Encourage girls to try a variety of sports and activities.
Where you live can make a difference to how active you are
Plan communities with activity in mind
To encourage kids to be active, urban planners need to consider the locations of
green spaces and bus routes and how neighbourhoods connect to each other.
Community design can either encourage or limit physical activity.
For example:
* Are there sidewalks or trails to ride bicycles on?
* How close are parks and other play spaces?
* How easy it is to walk from street to street?
Kids with disabilities need places to play
Katherine and her five-year-old daughter, Kira, visited Edmonton from northern
Alberta to test out some wheelchair accessible playgrounds. Kira has spina
bifida, a birth defect where the spine does not develop properly. She can't use
the play areas in her own community because they aren't wheelchair accessible.
"The little girl was thrilled with the designed play spaces in Edmonton", said
Kim Sanderson, of the Community Services department for the City of Edmonton.
Katherine said the play spaces gave Kira more confidence and helped her learn
physical skills she normally doesn't get to practice. "You have no idea what
this means to me as a parent," she said.
Parents can advocate for accessible playgrounds in their neighbourhood. They can
also let activity program leaders know if their child has a disability and needs
support in being active.
Community success story
Make the program times match the bus schedule!
A town on the Sunshine Coast in BC realized attendance was down at its
recreation centre. The staff knew that many people in the community had trouble
getting to the centre to take the programs. They simply changed the start times
of different programs to fit the bus schedule. Attendance rose.
"It was as simple as that, and it was significant enough to allow adults and
kids to participate because otherwise they couldn't get there on time," said
Sharon Jollimore of CPRA. "People can look at their own communities and discover
what the obstacles are that keep kids and other people from enjoying
recreation."
Laws can make a difference to active living
Neighbourhood by-laws can encourage—or discourage—physical activity
Specific by-laws or legislation can affect whether children are active or not.
By-laws in some communities discourage certain types of physical activity. For
example, bans on street hockey or other road games may reduce active
opportunities that are free and close to home. At the same time, we need to
ensure that play areas for children are in environments that will reduce their
risk of injury.
Illustration of running shoes
Mandatory physical activity and physical education in schools
Many, but not all provinces have legislated daily physical activity in schools.
In Ontario, for example, all kids from Kindergarten to Grade 8 now do 20 minutes
of physical activity every day.
Some schools go a step further and have a daily physical education program,
planned and taught by experts, as part of the school curriculum. In Canada, the
amount of physical education in schools depends on the individual province,
school board and school.
Helping children be more active is up to all of us
There are many ways individuals, communities, and governments can increase kids'
activity levels.
Parents and family
* Reduce and limit kids' time in front of the TV and computer.
* Play with your kids and praise them for being active - if they play
sports, go to their games and practices to cheer them on.
* Get to know your neighbours, and introduce your children to Block Parents
in your neighbourhood, so they know where to go to get help.
* Work with teachers and school boards to make regular physical activity
part of the school day.
* Encourage programs that help kids to walk or bike to school.
* Work with your elected officials to make active living for everyone a
priority in your neighbourhood.
Recreation and physical activity leaders
* Train staff and volunteers to be sensitive to families who may be in need
of subsidized programs.
* Have a plan to help people who don't speak English or French as their
first language feel included and welcome in activity facilities.
* Fit programs to clients' needs, such as making program times match bus
schedule.
Schools and child care programs
* Establish a no-cut policy for school teams so everyone who tries out gets
to play.
* Reschedule school team practices so after-school programs can share the
gym.
* Choose age appropriate activities, which are enjoyable to kids and reduce
their risk of injury.
* Offer active options for kids during lunch break or after school.
* Integrate fitness breaks into class time and field trips.
Local and provincial governments
* Ensure play spaces and green areas are attractive, creative, safe places
for kids to play in all seasons and are accessible to people with a wide range
of abilities.
* Where possible, involve parents and kids in planning decisions.
* Establish community by-laws that encourage, rather than discourage being
active.
When we create opportunities for activity at home and in the community, and
encourage active ways to get from one place to another, we help children get the
physical activity they need for healthy growth and development.
* Names of the families and children in this article have been changed.
Date published: November 15, 2006
CreditThis article was prepared by the Alberta Centre for Active Living, the
Canadian Health Network's Active Living Affiliate.
Forwarding in case of any interest.
well wishes,
Kate
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: PushOn December edition
Date: Thu, 9 Nov 2006 13:13:22 +1100
From: PushOn <noreply@...>
To: bicycle@...
Hello members and friends of Bicycle NSW!
The December edition of PushOn is now available for download from the
PushOn website.
http://www.pushon.com.au/downloads/PO_3008.pdf
Check it out today! Have a read of these great stories:
Bicycle Friends Sydney Metro?
Bicylce Achievement Award for BUG Convenor
New Board for Bicycle NSW
Latest news : Inside Bicycle NSW, BUGs News, Events Updates
PLUS lots of rides around NSW in December (including multi-day
tours)
Regards
Jenni Gormley
Editor, Push On
www.pushon.com.au
ph 0404 065 376 fax 02 9524 1661
PO Box 254 Sutherland NSW 1499
------
FYI
well wishes,
Kate
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: USC Prevention Research Center Notes - 10/2006
Date: Mon, 2 Oct 2006 15:37:39 -0400
From: USCPRC USCPRC <USCPRC@...>
Reply-To: USCPRC USCPRC <USCPRC@...>
To: PRCNEWS@...
****UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
PREVENTION RESEARCH CENTER NOTES****
“Promoting Health through Physical Activity”
I have benefited tremendously from utilizing the USC PRC Listserv twice in the
past several months (if you are not a subscriber, directions on joining the
Listserv are provided at the end of the newsletter). This list reaches over
1,200 persons throughout the world that have expertise in many facets of
physical activity research and practice. Each time that I have approached
members of the Listserv with a question, I have received timely advice and
information that has helped me make well-informed decisions. Many times the
information I received hadn’t yet been disseminated because it was “hot off the
press.” This was very gratifying and extremely helpful. I would encourage you
to utilize this resource often. After all, we’re all in this together!
Steven P. Hooker, PhD, Director
Delores Pluto, PhD, Newsletter Editor (dmpluto@...)
http://prevention.sph.sc.edu
******************************************************************
IN THIS ISSUE - September/October 2006
NEWS YOU CAN USE: New “Eat Smart. Play Hard.” Web Pages
RESEARCH NOTES: Neighborhood PA Questionnaire; Why Canadians Cycle More Than
Americans; Evaluation of Physical Activity Programs
REPORTS, SURVEYS, GUIDELINES, RESOURCES: New Guidelines for PA in Schools;
Public Health and Built Environment; Community Guide PA Recommendations
PROMOTING ACTIVE COMMUNITIES: Building Healthy Communities for Older Adults
UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS: NCBW Announces Round VI of Walkable
Community Workshops; Active Aging 2006
******************************************************************
NEWS YOU CAN USE
NEW “EAT SMART. PLAY HARD.” WEB PAGES: The USDA Food and Nutrition Service
launched two new web pages that will help kids, parents, and caregivers put the
new Dietary Guidelines and My Pyramid recommendations into action. The “Eat
Smart. Play Hard.” kids' web page (www.fns.usda.gov/eatsmartplayhardkids)
provides kids with interactive learning and skill-building experiences in a
virtual community setting, and encourages and motivates them to make better
lifestyle choices using kid-friendly, entertaining techniques. The new Healthy
Lifestyle web page (www.fns.usda.gov/eatsmartplayhardhealthylifestyle) provides
parents and other caregivers with tools for healthy living including low cost
menus and recipes that meet the new dietary guidelines. [SCCOPE News and
Updates, 9/21/06]
For a list of PA related observances and events, visit the PA links section of
our website at http://prevention.sph.sc.edu/PAlinks/index.htm.
RESEARCH NOTES
NEIGHBORHOOD PA QUESTONNAIRE: The Neighborhood Physical Activity Questionnaire
(NPAQ) was designed to differentiate between recreation and transport walking
both inside and outside of the neighborhood and to establish an overall index of
physical activity behavior. The NPAQ was designed to overcome three specific
challenges: the instrument had to 1) capture walking levels locally, 2) be a
stable measure of habitual exercise and 3) differentiate between recreational
and transport walking. The NPAQ was modeled on the International Physical
Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and the Active Australia Survey. A sample of 82
faculty and staff from local universities participated in a test-retest
reliability study. The study concluded that the NPAQ is reliable for studies on
environmental correlates of walking within the neighborhood. The tool reliably
measures walking and total PA and can differentiate between recreation and
transportation related walking inside and outside the neighbo!
rhood. Giles-Corti B, Temperio A, Cutt H, Pikora T, et al. Development of a
reliable measure of walking within and outside the local neighborhood: RESIDE’s
Neighborhood Physical Activity Questionnaire. Preventive Medicine,
42(1):455-459, 2006.
WHY CANADIANS CYCLE MORE THAN AMERICANS: A review of bike usage in Canada and
the U.S. revealed Canadians ride bicycles more than Americans due to land-use
and transport policy differences. Canadians have shorter average trip distances
than Americans due to denser, mixed-land use in Canadian cities. In addition,
Canadians own fewer cars than Americans as Canadians’ average incomes are lower
than Americans, and the cost of purchasing and operating a car is higher in
Canada. Furthermore, Canadians cities are more conducive to cycling due to
accessible bike paths and lanes, sufficient bicycle parking, traffic calmed
neighborhoods, and stricter enforcement of traffic regulations. However, cycling
remains marginal in both the U.S and Canada compared to Western Europe.
Additional bike paths and lanes, bike parking, and cycling education and
promotional programs are suggested to further increase bike use in the U.S. and
in Canada. Pucher J & Buehler R. Why Canadians cycle more tha!
n Americans: A comparative analysis of bicycling trends and policies.
Transport Policy, 13, 265-279, 2006.
EVALUATION OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PROGRAMS: The August 6 issue of Evaluation and
Program Planning (Vol 29, Issue 3) was just released, which contains a special
section devoted to the evaluation of physical activity programs. Nine papers
are included with topics including evaluation of programs designed for older
adults and underserved youth; programs to increase walking; programs targeting
individual, organization and policy change; and programs implemented at the
community, state and national level. As such, the papers should be of keen
interest to both researchers and practitioners. The table of contents and
abstracts may be found at http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/01497189.
For additional summaries of recent research on promoting physically active
lifestyles, visit the Research Updates section of our website at
http://prevention.sph.sc.edu/updates/index.htm.
REPORTS, SURVEYS, GUIDELINES, RESOURCES
NEW PA GUIDELINES FOR SCHOOLS: In the September 12, 2006 issue of Circulation, a
scientific statement from the American Heart Association takes a comprehensive
look at the role of schools in promoting physical activity among students.
Policy and practice recommendations are included for physical education and
other sources of daily physical activity. See the press release (which includes
a summary of the recommendations) at:
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3041345. The citation
for the scientific statement is: Pate RR, Davis MG, Robinson TN, Stone EJ, et
al. Promoting physical activity in children and youth: A leadership role for
schools: A scientific statement from the American Heart Association Council on
Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Metabolism (Physical Activity Committee) in
collaboration with the Councils on Cardiovascular Disease in the Young and
Cardiovascular Nursing. Circulation, 114(11);1214-1224, 2006.
PUBLIC HEALTH AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT: A report entitled “Understanding the
Relationship between Public Health and the Built Environment” presents a
comprehensive picture of the elements of the built environment that have the
greatest positive impact on these public health outcomes based on research. The
report focuses on five public health topics - respiratory and cardiovascular
health, fatal and non-fatal injuries, physical activity, social capital and
mental health. One chapter focuses on physical activity and the relationship
between the built environment and rates of walking, cycling and mass transit.
The report was prepared for the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the
Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU), and the Natural Resources Defense Council
(NRDC) to help prepare of a rating system for neighborhoods called LEED-ND
(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Neighborhood Development).
The report can be downloaded at:
http://www.cnu.org/aboutcnu/index.cfm?formAction=initiative_detail&initiative_id\
=55.
[SCCOPE News and Updates, 9/21/06]
COMMUNITY GUIDE PA RECOMMENDATIONS: Three new summary sheets have been added to
the website for The Guide to Community Preventive Services about policy and
environmental approaches to promoting physical activity. These documents
summarize the findings concerning street-scale and community scale urban design
and land use policies and practices and transportation and travel policies and
practices. A detailed report on the evidence and findings appears in the Journal
of Physical Activity and Health, 3(Suppl 1):S55-S76, 2006. To view the new
summary sheets, go to http://www.thecommunityguide.org/pa/default.htm.
PROMOTING ACTIVE COMMUNITIES
BUILDING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES FOR OLDER ADULTS: The U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA), with partner organizations across the country, is developing a
national pilot program called "Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging,"
to recognize communities that factor into community planning, environmental
considerations and the need for older adults to be physically active. The goal
of the program is to raise awareness about the importance of linking Smart
Growth with the need for and desire by older adults to be physically active. For
more information about the program, go to http://www.epa.gov/aging/bhc/.
UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS
NCBW ANNOUNCES ROUND VI OF WALKABLE COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS: The National Center for
Bicycling & Walking has announced that applications are now available for the
Spring/Summer 2007 round of Walkable Community Workshops (WCWs). Applications
are due by October 27th. More information about the workshops and a downloadable
application can be found at:
http://www.bikewalk.org/workshopapplication.php. Direct questions about the WCW
program or the application to Mark Plotz at mark@..., or call him at
(301) 656-4220.
ACTIVE AGING 2006: The 4th Annual ICAA Conference: Active Aging 2006 will be
held November 15-17, 2006 in Las Vegas, Nevada. For conference brochure and
more information, go to http://www.icaa.cc/convention.htm.
For a more complete list of conferences and workshops, visit the PA links
section of our website at http://prevention.sph.sc.edu/PAlinks/index.htm.
******************************************************************
Writers: Lara Peck, Delores Pluto, Anna Price, Matt Thomas
This and past issues of the “University of South Carolina Prevention Research
Center Notes” are available on our website at
http://prevention.sph.sc.edu/Newsletter/index.htm. To submit an item, please
e-mail Delores Pluto at dmpluto@....
To subscribe or unsubscribe to this newsletter, e-mail the Prevention Research
Center at USCPRC@.... When subscribing, please include your name, e-mail
address, title, and organizational affiliation. There is no subscription cost.
If you have an e-mail filter in place that only allows messages from approved
email addresses, please add uscprc@... to your approved list.
For continuing discussions about physical activity, join the Physical Activity
and Public Health On-Line Network listserv. Instructions are located on our
website, at http://prevention.sph.sc.edu/newsletter/commands.htm#_Subscribe.
The USC Prevention Research Center is a member of the CDC Prevention Research
Center’s National Network, consisting of 33 Centers in the U.S. For more
information about the PRC National Network, visit http://www.cdc.gov/prc.
******************************************************************
Prevention Research Center, University of South Carolina
921 Assembly Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29208
803-777-4253
This publication was supported by Cooperative Agreement Number 1-U48-DP-000051
from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Its contents are
solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the
official views of the CDC.
The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or
employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of
race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, or
veteran status.
******************************************************************
From Medscape this week:
Effect of Exercise on Bone Mineral Density and Lean Mass in
Postmenopausal Women
Med Sci Sports Exerc 38(7) 2006
http://mp.medscape.com/cgi-bin1/DM/y/m7bX0Jgw360Dz10Hoit0Fv
High-Intensity Physical Activity Reduces Cardiovascular Risk in Children
In a cross-sectional study, high- vs low-intensity physical activity
resulted in improved cardiovascular fitness and body fat in children.
Medscape Medical News 2006
http://mp.medscape.com/cgi-bin1/DM/y/m7b20Jgw360Dyz0Hoht0FU
Relationships of Activity and Sugar Drink Intake on Fat Mass
Development in Youth
Findings from this study of male and females assessed during childhood
and adolescence for a median of 5 years lend support to the idea that
increasing physical activity in male youths aids in the control of fat
mass development.
Med Sci Sports Exerc 38(7) 2006
http://mp.medscape.com/cgi-bin1/DM/y/m7ck0Jgw360F8N0Hoiy0Fl
well wishes,
kate
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: USC Prevention Research Center Notes - 08/2006
Date: Thu, 3 Aug 2006 16:17:58 -0400
From: USCPRC USCPRC <USCPRC@...>
Reply-To: USCPRC USCPRC <USCPRC@...>
To: PRCNEWS@...
****UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
PREVENTION RESEARCH CENTER NOTES****
"Promoting Health through Physical Activity"
The last two months have been very stressful for me due to some serious personal
matters that families are faced with from time to time. Despite being away from
home for several weeks, living out of a hotel, and not having a set routine, the
one constant that I had during this time was regular exercise. No matter where
I was or what I was experiencing, a healthy dose of exercise during the day
tremendously helped me deal with the stress. It was like having an old friend
along for the ride, and this provided much-needed aid and comfort. I sometimes
forget about the mental and emotional benefits of regular physical activity, but
due to this recent experience I can personally testify that these types of
benefits are real and can be as important as the physical benefits. If you're
feeling overwhelmed, take a break, go for a walk or run or bike ride. You'll be
amazed at how this can help clear your head and take the edge off. Your
challenges won't go away, but your capacity!
to deal with them will be greatly improved.
Steven P. Hooker, PhD, Director
Delores Pluto, PhD, Newsletter Editor (dmpluto@...)
http://prevention.sph.sc.edu
******************************************************************
IN THIS ISSUE - July/August 2006
FEATURE STORY: Step Up! Step Out!
NEWS YOU CAN USE: Walk to School Month
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON: Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) Act
RESEARCH NOTES: PA Programs for Older Adults; Internet PA Intervention for
Girls
REPORTS, SURVEYS, GUIDELINES, RESOURCES: 2nd Edition Complete Streets Guide;
Land Use and Health Toolbox; ENACT Local Policy Database; Developing Messages
about PA
PROMOTING ACTIVE COMMUNITIES: On Common Ground Magazine Examines Smart Growth;
Street Share Campaign; SRTS Program to be Adapted for Inner Cities; Online
Promotional Video for SRTS
UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS: 2006 Copper Institute Conference Series;
SOPHE 57th Annual Meeting; ALR 2007 Conference
******************************************************************
FEATURE STORY
STEP UP! STEP OUT!: Step Up! Step Out! is a physical activity intervention
conducted by the USC Prevention Research Center in partnership with Sumter
County Active Lifestyles and the Sumter County Recreation and Parks Department
in Sumter County SC. The Step Up! Step Out! website is now available online and
is appropriate for adults, men and women. Weekly behavioral tips, an exercise
log, testimonials, safety tips and other information can be used help
individuals become more physically active. While some of the information, such
as where to exercise, has been tailored to the project community in South
Carolina, most of the tools and info can be used anywhere. Go to
http://www.sumtercountyactivelifestyles.org and click on the Step Up! Step Out!
logo. Information about the project, including a list of publications can be
found on the PRC website at http://prevention.sph.sc.edu/sips/promotion.htm.
NEWS YOU CAN USE
WALK TO SCHOOL MONTH: October is International Walk to School Month. Go to
www.walktoschool.org to be a part of the global events and to make your
community more active.
For a list of PA related observances and events, visit the PA links section of
our website at http://prevention.sph.sc.edu/PAlinks/index.htm.
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON
PERSONAL HEALTH INVESTMENT TODAY (PHIT) ACT: In May, Congressman Weller (R-IL)
Introduced the Personal Health Investment Today Act of 2006 (HR 5479). The
legislation was written to encourage Americans to change their behaviors and
increase their physical activity in order to help curb the overweight/obesity
trend and its role in increasing chronic disease. PHIT will allow individuals
to place up to $1,000 annually in existing pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts
(FSA), Health Savings Accounts (HSA), Medical Savings Accounts (MSA) and medical
reimbursement arrangements to pay for exercise programs and equipment, youth and
adult sports league fees, fitness and health club dues, etc. To view the bill,
go to http://thomas.loc.gov/ and enter the bill number. [The Activity Advocate,
June 2006]
RESEARCH NOTES
PA PROGRAMS FOR POLDER ADULTS: Two evidence-based physical activity programs for
older adults, Active Choices (a 6-month telephone-based program) and Active
Living Every Day (a 20 week group-based program), were implemented by 9
community based-organizations across the United States to determine if they
could be translated into community settings. The posttest survey results of
608 participants (257 in Active Choices and 333 in Active Living Every Day)
showed statistically significant increases in MVPA and total PA, an increase in
satisfaction of body appearance and functions and decreases in depressive
symptoms and perceived stress and BMI. These findings suggest that both
programs can be successfully translated in community settings. Wilcox, Dowda,
Griffin, et al. "Results of the first year of Active for Life: Translation of 2
evidence-based physical activity programs for older adults." American Journal of
Public Health, 96(7):1201-1209, 2006.
INTERNET PA INTERVENTION FOR GIRLS: In North Carolina, 319 adolescent girls
(grades 6-8) with home Internet access participated in a two week physical
activity intervention to compare a web-based intervention to print media. One
hundred eighty-one girls received the intervention materials via the Internet
and 181 received printed materials. It was hypothesized that the Internet group
would show greater increases in physical activity self-efficacy and intentions.
Both Internet and print groups showed significant changes in self-efficacy.
Only the print group showed significantly greater increases in intentions to be
active and a small but significant increase in self-reported physical activity.
Marks, Campbell, Ward, et al. "A Comparison of Web and Print Media for Physical
Activity Promotion among Adolescent Girls." Journal of Adolescent Health,
39(1):96-104, 2006.
For additional summaries of recent research on promoting physically active
lifestyles, visit the Research Updates section of our website at
http://prevention.sph.sc.edu/updates/index.htm.
REPORTS, SURVEYS, GUIDELINES, RESOURCES
2ND EDITION COMPLETE STREETS GUIDE: The second edition of the Thunderhead
Alliance Guide to Complete Streets Campaigns is now available through all
on-line book sellers. The Guide provides an analysis of current complete streets
policies and step-by-step campaign development process. Elected and appointed
officials, community leaders and concerned citizens will be ready to take part
in current campaigns or launch their own campaign after reading the Guide. For
more information, go to http://www.thunderheadalliance.org/ and click on
"Complete the Streets." [Thunderhead Alliance's The Weather Report, 06/28/06]
LAND USE AND HEALTH TOOLBOX: The "Land Use and Health Toolbox: Resources on
Health and the Built Environment" is now available online. The National
Association of City and County Health Officials (NACCHO) has assembled fact
sheets, guides, PowerPoint presentations, web casts, policy reports and other
resources to assist health practitioners, elected officials, and community
planners make the connection between public health, community design and the
built environment. To access the toolbox, go to
http://www.naccho.org/topics/hpdp/land_use_planning/LUP_Toolbox.cfm.
. [Livability Listserv, 06/12/06]
ENACT LOCAL POLICY DATABASE: The Prevention Institute, with funding from The
California Endowment, has made available online the Environmental Nutrition and
Activity (ENACT) Local Policy Database. The searchable database is designed to
provide community advocates, health professionals, policymakers and those
working in related fields with concrete examples of local-level policies that
have been adopted and/or implemented to improve nutrition and physical activity
environments. Have you worked on a local policy to make healthier eating easier
for your community, developed a local plan to improve walkability, or
established a policy to make sure students get active? You can submit examples
of policies to include in this database. To view the database or to submit your
local policy, go to www.preventioninstitute.org/sa/policies.
DEVELOPING MESSAGES ABOUT PA: CDC's VERB campaign has completed a set of reports
that present recurrent themes and recommendations for developing successful
messages about physical activity. The reports are based on three years of
concept and message testing among tweens (children 9-13) and parents in four
ethnic groups, as well as the general market. In addition, a new report entitled
"Inspiring Children's Physical Activity: Exploratory Research with Parents"
describes factors that influence parents to encourage their child's
participation in physical activity. The report summarizes the results of focus
groups and in-home interviews conducted with mothers of 9- to 13-year-olds in
2003. These and other reports can be found at
www.cdc.gov/youthcampaign/research/resources.htm.
PROMOTING ACTIVE COMMUNITIES
ON COMMON GROUND MAGAZINE EXAMINES SMARTH GROWTH: On Common Ground magazine,
published by the Government Affairs office of the National Association of
Realtors® (NAR), features a wide range of views on Smart Growth issues with the
goal of encouraging a dialogue among Realtors®, elected officials and other
interested citizens. The Summer 2006 issue, "New Urbanism is Blooming," examines
urban planning and real estate development in regards to walkable communities.
Hard copies of this magazine are distributed free of charge. Go to
http://www.realtor.org/SG3.nsf/Pages/summer06?OpenDocument to view current and
past issues.
STREET SHARE CAMPAIGN: The Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin, the Safe Community
Coalition of Madison, and Dane County, Wisconsin recently launched the Street
Share Campaign to improving traffic safety in rural and urban areas where
motorists and cyclists must share the road. The campaign includes PSA's,
increased enforcement of motorist and bicyclist compliance with traffic laws and
target education of children and bicycling community. The campaign is funded
through memorial donations for Jessica Bullen who was killed in a bike/car
collision in 2005.Go to http://www.ghostbikes.net/projects/motoristeducation.php
to learn more. [BikeLeague News 07/03/2006]
SRTS PROGRAM TO BE ADAPTED FOR INNER CITIES: Current SRTS programs are not
adequately addressing urban conditions that can pose multiple hazards to
children and the limited availability of adults to participate in typical
startup activities. To address this limitation, Sharon Roerty and Mark Plotz of
the Active Living Resource Center (ALRC) are adapting Safe Routes to School
program activities to the inner city. They are conducting interviews with Safe
Routes to School (SRTS) practitioners and champions in the U.S and abroad who
have implemented SRTS initiatives urban settings. If you have organized or been
involved in SRTS programs in inner city schools and would like to share you
experiences, please contact Mark Plotz at mark@... or Sharon Roerty at
sharon@.... To learn more about the ALRC and SRTS, go to:
http://www.activelivingresources.org. [Centerlines #152]
ONLINE PROMOTIONAL VIDEO FOR SRTS: The League of American Bicyclists has
produced a 4 -minute, non-technical, promotional video to promote the new Safe
Routes to School program to your local school board or PTA. The piece was
developed by the League with the help of a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson
Foundation. Go to http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/saferoutes/video.php to
view the video. [American Bicyclist Update, 07/31/06]
UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS
2006 COOPER INSTITUTE CONFERENCE SERIES: The 2006 Cooper Institute Conference
Series: Parks, Recreation, and Public Health: Collaborative Frameworks for
Promoting Physical Activity will be held October 26 -28, 2006 in Dallas, Texas.
The deadline for abstract submissions is August 20. For conference information,
go to http://www.cooperinst.org/conf2006intro.asp
SOPHE 57th ANNUAL MEETING: SOPHE's 57th Annual Meeting, Health as a Human
Right: Health Education, Equality and Social Justice for All, will be held in
Boston, MA on Nov 2-4. September 8 is the deadline for Early Bird
pre-registration and application for student scholarships. Go to
http://www.sophe.org for more conference information.
ACTIVE LIVING RESEARCH 2007 CONFERENCE: The Active Living Research Fourth Annual
Conference will be held at the Coronado Island Marriott Resort in Coronado, CA
on February 22-24, 2007. Conference information, including agenda, hotel and
registration, will be available soon at
http://www.activelivingresearch.org/index.php/Annual_Conference_2007/386.
For a more complete list of conferences and workshops, visit the PA links
section of our website at http://prevention.sph.sc.edu/PAlinks/index.htm.
******************************************************************
Writers: Lara Peck, Delores Pluto
This and past issues of the "University of South Carolina Prevention Research
Center Notes" are available on our website at
http://prevention.sph.sc.edu/Newsletter/index.htm. To submit an item, please
e-mail Delores Pluto at dmpluto@....
To subscribe or unsubscribe to this newsletter, e-mail the Prevention Research
Center at USCPRC@.... When subscribing, please include your name, e-mail
address, title, and organizational affiliation. There is no subscription cost.
If you have an e-mail filter in place that only allows messages from approved
email addresses, please add uscprc@... to your approved list.
For continuing discussions about physical activity, join the Physical Activity
and Public Health On-Line Network listserv. Instructions are located on our
website, at http://prevention.sph.sc.edu/newsletter/commands.htm#_Subscribe.
The USC Prevention Research Center is a member of the CDC Prevention Research
Center's National Network, consisting of 28 Centers in the U.S. For more
information about the PRC National Network, visit http://www.cdc.gov/prc.
******************************************************************
Prevention Research Center, University of South Carolina
730 Devine Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29208
803-777-4253
This publication was supported by Cooperative Agreement Number 1-U48-DP-000051
from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Its contents are
solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the
official views of the CDC.
Courtesy Librarians' Internet Index (http://lii.org) this week, a number of
articles which might be
of interest relating obesity. The main site contains an interactive map of the
U.S., showing the percentage of
obese people in each state for the period 1985-2004. Also included are articles
such as
"Is Your State Overweight?", "Turning the Tide on America's Obesity Epidemic,"
"Obesity and Mental Health", and a series concerning weight loss and
fitness.
To find out more click on: http://health.msn.com/reports/obesity/default.aspx
Kate
URL: http://www.whitepage.com.au/Mytanwy/7232
Alberta Centre for Active Living: Mental Health and Physical Activity Workshop
"On May 16, 2006, the Alberta Centre for Active Living
(www.centre4activeliving.ca) and Alberta Mental Health Board (www.amhb.ab.ca)
invited experts from the physical activity and mental health fields in Alberta
to share expertise and discuss how best to work together. The workshop
proceedings include biographies of presenters, a written summary of the
workshop, and PowerPoint slides and podcasts of the presentations".
http://www.centre4activeliving.ca/publications/researchandreports/mental_health_\
workshop051606/mh_wkshp_index.html
(or via http://www.centre4activeliving.ca/resources.cgi?s=o;d=1 )
Article which may be of interest.
well wishes,
Kate
Physical activity is related to quality of life in older adults. Luke S Acree ,
Jessica Longfors , Anette S Fjeldstad , Cecilie Fjeldstad , Bob Shank , Kevin J
Nickel , Polly S Montgomery and Andrew W Gardner
Health and Quality of Life Outcomes 2006, 4:37 doi:10.1186/1477-7525-4-37
Full article: http://www.hqlo.com/content/4/1/37
Abstract
Physical activity is associated with health-related quality of life (HRQL) in
clinical populations, but less is known whether this relationship exists in
older men and women who are healthy. Thus, this study determined if physical
activity was related to HRQL in apparently healthy, older subjects.
Methods
Measures were obtained from 112 male and female volunteers (70 +/- 8 years, mean
+/- SD) recruited from media advertisements and flyers around the Norman,
Oklahoma area. Data was collected using a medical history questionnaire, HRQL
from the Medical Outcomes Survey short form-36 questionnaire, and physical
activity level from the Johnson Space Center physical activity scale. Subjects
were separated into either a higher physically active group (n = 62) or a lower
physically active group (n = 50) according to the physical activity scale.
Results
The HRQL scores in all eight domains were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the
group reporting higher physical activity. Additionally, the more active group
had fewer females (44% vs. 72%, p = 0.033), and lower prevalence of hypertension
(39% vs. 60%, p = 0.041) than the low active group. After adjusting for gender
and hypertension, the more active group had higher values in the following five
HRQL domains: physical function (82 +/- 20 vs. 68 +/- 21, p = 0.029),
role-physical (83 +/- 34 vs. 61 +/- 36, p = 0.022), bodily pain (83 +/- 22 vs.
66 +/- 23, p = 0.001), vitality (74 +/- 15 vs. 59 +/- 16, p = 0.001), and social
functioning (92 +/- 18 vs. 83 +/- 19, p = 0.040). General health,
role-emotional, and mental health were not significantly different (p > 0.05)
between the two groups.
Conclusion
Healthy older adults who regularly participated in physical activity of at least
moderate intensity for more than one hour per week had higher HRQL measures in
both physical and mental domains than those who were less physically active.
Therefore, incorporating more physical activity into the lifestyles of sedentary
or slightly active older individuals may improve their HRQL.
*~+~*~+~*
Kate Walker
URL: http://www.whitepage.com.au/Mytanwy/7232
Hello all,
In the latest (June 2006) edition of Wellspring, a Canadian publication for
practitioners and which provides information on best practices, topical issues,
recent research, and policy in the active living/physical activity field:
* Programmed for Success: Making DPA* Work [pdf, 397KB]
* Daily Physical Activity: Overcoming Two Challenges [html]
* Developmentally Appropriate Daily Physical Activities [html]
To download, go to:
http://www.centre4activeliving.ca/publications/wellspring.html
well wishes,
Kate
URL: http://www.whitepage.com.au/Mytanwy/7232
• DPA= Daily Physical Activity
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: USC Prevention Research Center Notes - 05/2006
Date: Mon, 29 May 2006 11:32:40 -0400
From: USCPRC USCPRC <USCPRC@...>
Reply-To: USCPRC USCPRC <USCPRC@...>
To: PRCNEWS@...
****UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
PREVENTION RESEARCH CENTER NOTES****
"Promoting Health through Physical Activity"
There has been a surge in the attention to childhood obesity in recent weeks
with the release of new national data and the announcement by leading beverage
companies of their intention to remove "empty" calorie, sugar-ladened drinks
from school vending machines. Several large media outlets, including
nationally-syndicated talk radio, have again shined the spotlight on the issue.
We must continue to be careful, however, not to marginalize persons,
especially children, who are overweight. I've always liked the motto "physical
activity for all," meaning for persons of all ages, cultures, abilities, and
sizes. With summer approaching, may we provide ALL persons with opportunities
to engage in enjoyable physical activities.
Steven P. Hooker, PhD, Director
Delores Pluto, PhD, Newsletter Editor (dmpluto@...)
http://prevention.sph.sc.edu
******************************************************************
IN THIS ISSUE - May/June 2006
NEWS YOU CAN USE: Top 10 Walking Cities in US; Bicycle Friendly Communities;
50th Anniversary of President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports; National
Society of Physical Activity Practitioners in Public Health is Formed
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON: Healthy Places Act of 2006
RESEARCH NOTES: Multi-Scale Analysis of Building Communities to Promote PA; PA
and Adolescent Risk Behaviors
REPORTS, SURVEYS, GUIDELINES, RESOURCES: NCBW Launches New Website; Childhood
Obesity Policy Statement from American Academy of Pediatrics; Let's Just Play;
National SRTS Clearinghouse
PHYSICAL EDUCATION (PE) IN SCHOOLS: PE Curriculum Analysis Tool;
2006 Shape of the Nation Report; Nutrition and PA in US Elementary Schools
PROMOTING ACTIVE COMMUNITIES: Complete Streets Campaign Launched
UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS: 2006 Cooper Institute Conference Series; Pro
Walk/Pro Bike Conference; SRTS National Partnership Meeting
******************************************************************
NEWS YOU CAN USE
TOP 10 WALKING CITIES IN US: Prevention Magazine and the American Podiatric
Medical Association (APMA) have named the Top 10 cities for walking the United
States. One hundred cities were evaluated based on the percentage of people who
regularly walk-either for fitness and health or to get to and from work, low
crime rates, mild year-round temperatures, the number of cultural attractions,
participation in recreational sports, and pet ownership. The top 10 cities for
2006 are: 1. Portland, Oregon 2. Colorado Springs, Colorado 3. Madison,
Wisconsin 4. Boise City, Idaho 5. Las Vegas, Nevada 6. Austin, Texas 7. Virginia
Beach, Virginia 8. Anchorage, Alaska 9. Fremont, California 10. Raleigh, North
Carolina. The list appears in Prevention's annual April walking issue. Go to
http://www.prevention.com/article/0,,s1-2-92-34-6707-1,00.html to read the
article.
[Livability Listserv, 4/14/06]
BICYCLE FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES: The League of American Bicyclists has announced
the 2006 Bicycle Friendly Communities. Fifteen cities earned or renewed the
designation in April 2006, and four communities earned an Honorable Mention.
The cities earning "gold" designation are: Madison, WI, San Francisco, CA and
Tucson/Pima Eastern Region, AZ. The program analyzes bicycle friendliness in
five areas: education, enforcement, encouragement, engineering and evaluation.
The Bicycle Friendly Community program is supported by a grant from Bikes
Belong. For more information, go to: http://www.bicyclefriendlycommunity.org/
[Bike League News 4/24]
50th ANNIVERSARY OF PRESIDENT'S COUNCIL ON PHYSICAL FITNESS AND SPORTS: The
President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports is celebrating its 50-year
anniversary in 2006 and invites you to become 50th Anniversary Partners to Get
America Moving. Partners will receive the official PCPFS 50th Anniversary
logo; a link and notable mention on the PCPFS web site and President's Challenge
web site; invitations to participate in celebratory activities at the national,
state, and local levels; and tools and messages to incorporate into state and
community programs. Go to
http://www.fitness.gov/50thanniversary/50th_anniv_partner_info.htm for
registration information and a PCPFS 50th Anniversary Toolkit. [AoA E-News]
NATIONAL SOCIETY OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PRACTIONERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH: Physical
activity practitioners from state health departments formed the National Society
of Physical Activity Practitioners in Public Health in April. The Society's
mission is to elevate physical activity as a public health priority through
engagement, education, and expansion of partnerships. Visit the Society's
website to become a member at http://www.pacollaborative.org. More resources and
news about the Society will be posted soon. [CDC PA Listserv 5/17/06]
For a list of PA related observances and events, visit the PA links section of
our website at http://prevention.sph.sc.edu/PAlinks/index.htm.
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON
HEALTHY PLACES ACT: The Healthy Places Act of 2006 (S.2506/H.R.5088) brings
together all levels of government to address environmental health issues by: (1)
establishing and supporting health impact assessment programs to proactively
examine the potential health effects of major policy or programmatic changes,
(2) creating a grant program to assist states and local communities to address
environmental health hazards, particularly those that contribute to health
disparities and (3) accelerating research on the relationship between the built
environment and health, as recommended by two Institute of Medicine reports. Go
to http://thomas.loc.gov/ to view the bill and status.
RESEARCH NOTES
MULTI-SCALE ANALYSIS OF BUILDING COMMUNITIES TO PROMOTE PA: Development
patterns, travel behavior, and physical activity were assessed in a three-scale
(regional, city, and city-block level) analysis of urban built environments in
American cities. Evidence shows that walking and cycling will be encouraged if
destination distances are reduced and streetscapes are safe, but may not result
in more Americans meeting PA recommendations. Race and class issues factor in
because pedestrian-oriented environments have historically been adopted by
wealthier municipalities that can fund such landscapes. Public health
improvements are inextricably linked to social and racial equity. American
municipalities need to balance the needs of pedestrians, cyclists, automobiles,
and public transport. Vojnovic. Building communities to promote physical
activity: a multi-scale geographical analysis. Geografiska Annaler, 88B(1);
67-90, 2006.
PA AND ADOLESCENT RISK BEHAVIORS: Adolescents provided data about physical
activity (PA) and sedentary behaviors and their relation to different risk
behaviors for the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. The final
sample of 5,979 males and 5,978 females included 70% white, 14% black, 11%
Hispanic, and 4% Asian adolescents. Results of regression analysis show that
participating in a broad range of physical activities is associated with less
participation in risky behaviors and more positive health outcomes, like higher
self-esteem. Adolescent PA is complex and relates to metabolic, behavioral, and
social processes. Nelson & Gordon-Larsen. "Physical activity and sedentary
behavior patterns are associated with selected adolescent health risk
behaviors." Pediatrics, 117(4):1281-1290.
For additional summaries of recent research on promoting physically active
lifestyles, visit the Research Updates section of our website at
http://prevention.sph.sc.edu/updates/index.htm.
REPORTS, SURVEYS, GUIDELINES, RESOURCES
NCBW LAUNCHES NEW WEB SITE: The National Center for Bicycling and Walking has
launched new revisions to its website. Revisions include a new page for the Pro
Walk/Pro Bike conference and a new element called the "State of the Practice,"
which features designing for accessibility and pedestrian and bicycle access
guides and resources frequently used by experts in the field. Send your ideas
for other resources to John Williams, the resources section editor, at
john@.... Check out the new additions at http://www.bikewalk.org.
CHILDHOOD OBESITY POLICY STATEMENT FROM AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS: The
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released a policy statement, "Active
Healthy Living: Prevention of Childhood Obesity Through Increased Physical
Activity," which recommends that physicians, health care professionals, schools,
communities and families all work together to help improve nutrition and
encourage physical activity. In regards to physical activity, the policy
recommends that physicians and health care professionals aggressively advocate
for school and community recreation programs that encourage physical activity;
reinstatement of compulsory, quality, daily physical education programs;
protection of school recess time; creation of safe recreational facilities,
parks, playgrounds, bicycle paths, sidewalks and crosswalks; and social
marketing that promotes physical activity. The full policy statement can be
found in the May 2006 issue of Pediatrics, 117(5); 1834-1842, 2006. View the
pr!
ess release at http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/may06physicalactivity.htm.
LET'S JUST PLAY!: The Alliance for a Healthier Generation has partnered with
Nickelodeon to launch the Go Healthy Challenge with the introduction of four
real children on their quest to eat better, play harder, and feel better. Kids
can join the challenge on the Let's Just Play website. The website also
includes health tips, monthly challenges, recipes and message boards. Kids can
visit http://www.nick.com/letsjustplay to view the website. Professionals can
visit http://www.healthiergeneration.org/play.html for more information about
the program and partnership.
NATIONAL SRTS CLEARINGHOUSE: The University of North Carolina Highway Safety
Research Center (HSRC) has been awarded $6 million in funding to assist
communities in enabling and encouraging children to safely walk and bike to
school. The HSRC, funded for 5 years by the U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration, will establish a clearinghouse on the National
Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program, a federal program established to create
safe settings where more parents and children can walk and bicycle to school.
The clearinghouse will provide technical assistance to SRTS program coordinators
and serve as the central hub of information on successful strategies and
programs. The HSRC also will be responsible for developing educational programs,
as well as developing and maintaining a website, listserv and toll-free phone
number. Visit the clearinghouse website at: http://www.saferoutesinfo.org
PHYSICAL EDUCATION (PE) IN SCHOOLS
PE CURRICULUM ANAYLSIS TOOL: The Physical Education Curriculum Analysis Tool
(PECAT) is now available from CDC to help school districts conduct clear,
complete, and consistent analyses of written physical education curricula, based
upon national physical education standards. The tool features preliminary
curriculum considerations, such as accuracy and feasibility analyses, content
and student assessment analyses, customizable templates for state or local use,
and scorecards and curriculum improvement plan worksheets that can be shared
with key stakeholders, school administrators or other groups interested in
strengthening PE programs. Results from the analysis can help schools enhance an
existing curriculum, develop their own curriculum, or select a published
curriculum, for the delivery of quality PE in schools. The tool is available
online at http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/pecat. [CDC PA listserv 4/27/06]
2006 SHAPE OF THE NATION REPORT: The National Association for Sport and Physical
Education (NASPE) and the American Heart Association have released the 2006
Shape of the Nation Report: Status of Physical Education in the USA. The report
finds that most states receive a failing grade on their PE requirements. It
recommends that PE instruction be the cornerstone of a comprehensive school
physical activity program that also includes health education, elementary school
recess, after-school physical activity clubs and intramurals, high school
interscholastic athletics, walk/bike to school programs, and staff wellness
programs. The complete report, including mandates, executive summary, and state
policies and profiles, is available at
http://www.aahperd.org/naspe/ShapeOfTheNation/
NUTRITION AND PA IN US ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS: The National Center for Education
Statistics (NCES) has released "Calories In, Calories Out: Food and Exercise in
Public Elementary Schools, 2005." The report, based on a survey conducted by
NCES of elementary schools in the United States, includes findings on the types
of food available (besides full school meals) and the opportunities available
for students to engage in physical activity, such as recess and PE classes. The
report indicated elementary students spend an average of 208 to 222 minutes per
week in scheduled recess and PE. To read the full report, visit:
http://nces.ed.gov/Pubs2006/nutrition/
PROMOTING ACTIVE COMMUNITIES
COMPLETE STREETS CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED: The National Complete Streets Coalition has
announced the launch of the Complete Streets Campaign. Seed funds from Bikes
Belong, AARP, and American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) allow work to
begin on the three-part campaign to encourage adoption of complete streets
policies across the country. The Coalition will spread the word on the benefits
of complete streets; build the coalition to create a powerful broad-based
movement for complete streets; and help get it right when jurisdictions are
ready to adopt a policy. A downloadable brochure and complete street policies
and recommendations are available at http://www.completestreets.org.
UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS
2006 COOPER INSTITUTE CONFERERNCE SERIES: Registration for the 2006 Cooper
Institute Conference Series "Parks, Recreation, and Public Health: Collaborative
Frameworks for Promoting Physical Activity" is now open. The conference, to be
held October 26 -28, 2006 in Dallas, TX , will focus on developing collaborative
frameworks for researchers, practitioners, and educators in the fields of public
health, parks, and recreation. For conference and registration information, go
to http://www.cooperinst.org/conf2006intro.asp.
PRO WALK/PRO BIKE CONFERENCE: Schedules and registration information for the Pro
Walk/Pro Bike Conference in Madison, WI will be available on the National Center
for Bicycling and Walking website on May 30. The conference will be held
September 5 - 8, 2006. Go to http://www.bikewalk.org/conference/index.html for
conference information.
SRTS NATIONAL PARTNERSHIP MEETING: The SRTS National Partnership Annual Meeting
will be held on Friday, September 8 from 3-6 PM directly after the conclusion of
the Pro Walk/Pro Bike Conference in Madison, WI. The Partnership will hold a
separate registration for its annual meeting. More information will be
forthcoming soon.
[CDC PA listserv 5/11/06]
For a more complete list of conferences and workshops, visit the PA links
section of our website at http://prevention.sph.sc.edu/PAlinks/index.htm.
******************************************************************
Writers: Lara Peck, Alicia Norris
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Prevention Research Center, University of South Carolina
730 Devine Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29208
803-777-4253
This publication was supported by Cooperative Agreement Number 1-U48-DP-000051
from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Its contents are
solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the
official views of the CDC.
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*~+~*~+~*
Kate Walker
Postal: 1/2 Hampstead Road,
Homebush West. 2140. NSW. Australia
Tel: + 61 2 974 67 703
Mobile: + 61 407 176 786
Email: bicycle@...
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