January - February 2011 | USC-PRC NOTES
"Promoting Health through Physical Activity"
Jack LaLanne, one of the world's foremost health and fitness pioneers and icons, passed away on January 23, 2011 at the age of 96. I remember watching his TV show while growing up as a pre-adolescent in the 1960s. He would do exercise after exercise after exercise, and make it look so easy I had the opportunity to meet Mr. LaLanne once while attending a California Governor's Council on Physical Fitness meeting when he was 80. Even at that age, his shoulders were as broad as he was tall! He was as enthusiastic about fitness and life at that meeting as he had been when I watched him on TV. He appeared ageless and truly practiced what he preached. I am thankful for people such as Jack LaLanne who understand intuitively that physical activity and exercise are cornerstones of health, and emphatically encourage others to improve their physical fitness and lives. He once stated, "The only way you can hurt your body is not to use it." A simple, strong message that doesn't require a mountain of research to back it up.
Steve Hooker, PhD, Director
NEWS YOU CAN USE:
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY FAST FACTS. On the National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity Website http://ncppa.org/policy/activity/, there is a “Physical Activity Fast Facts” box near the top right hand side of the screen which continuously scrolls interesting and informative facts related to physical activity and health that can be used by those who are interested in promoting policy and environmental change in their communities. [Source: National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity website]
WHAT SHOULD PHYSICAL EDUCATION LOOK LIKE IN THE YEAR 2020 AND BEYOND? The National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) has invited physical education teachers, college/university faculty, physical education teacher candidates, K-12 students, parents, school administrators, policymakers, community members, and other key supporters (e.g., public health professionals, medical community) to share visionary thoughts about the future of physical education.
- How can we better serve the needs of students and society in our rapidly changing world?
- Can teachers structure class experiences in a different or more effective format?
- What changes need to be made in our schools and in our professional preparation programs?
JUMP ROPE FOR HEART MONTH
February 1-28, 2011
TRAILS ADVOCACY WEEK
February 12-17, 2011
NATIONAL GIRLS AND WOMEN IN SPORTS DAY
February 2, 2011
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON:
CONGRESS PASSES THE NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON PHYSICAL FITNESS, SPORTS AND NUTRITION ESTABLISHMENT ACT. On December 22, 2010 the President signed into law S. 1275. This bill officially establishes the National Foundation on Physical Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition. The foundation will help fund the activities of the President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition and increase resources for the promotion of sports, physical activity and good nutrition. [Source: Fitness is Fun: The official newsletter of the President's Challenge, January 2011]
RESEARCH NOTES:
INTEGRATION OF SHORT BOUTS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY INTO ORGANIZATIONAL ROUTINE: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE. Among sedentary individuals, it is often more feasible to encourage multiple short intervals of physical activity (e.g. 10 minutes) compared to a single longer bout of exercise. The authors here present a systematic review of evidence of these short bouts of exercise as a component of an overall exercise routine. While not all studies reviewed assessed physical activity before and after an intervention of short-duration exercise, those which did observed modest but significant improvements in physical activity. Other variables, such as workplace or educational performance, consumption of fruits and vegetables, and physiological measures, displayed mixed results. However, the authors feel when taken collectively these results provide promising evidence to support the effectiveness of short bouts of physical activity. Daheia, Mona, Melicia, et al. (2011). "Integration of Short Bouts of Physical Activity Into Organizational Routine: A Systematic Review of the Literature." American Journal of Preventive Medicine 40(1): 76-93.
DIET VS EXERCISE FOR THE PREVENTION OF PEDIATRIC OBESITY: THE ROLE OF EXERCISE. In an article in the January 2011 volume of the International Journal of Obesity, Gutin provides a fresh perspective in the debate over the optimal methods for preventing childhood obesity. He approaches this conversation in an intriguing fashion, beginning by citing recent research focused on body composition as opposed to overall body weight. He argues increased vigorous physical activity in adolescents should be the primary intervention strategy to prevent obesity through mechanisms that increase development of lean tissue. Framed in a debate context, this editorial is accompanied by an article focused on the prevention of childhood obesity through dietary interventions. Gutin (2011). "Diet vs exercise for the prevention of pediatric obesity: the role of exercise." Int J Obes 35(1): 29-32.
MAINTAINING A HIGH PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVEL OVER 20 YEARS AND WEIGHT GAIN. Using longitudinal data collected at seven time points over 20 years in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study, the authors evaluated the relationship between physical activity level and changes in BMI. After adjustments for variables such as energy intake, baseline BMI, and age, the authors found maintaining a high level of physical activity was associated with smaller gains in BMI and waist circumference when compared with a low level of physical activity. This relationship was particularly beneficial for women, as those who maintained a high level of physical activity gained 6.1 fewer kilograms per year compared to those who maintained a low level of physical activity. Hankinson, Daviglus, Bouchard, et al. (2010). "Maintaining a High Physical Activity Level Over 20 Years and Weight Gain." JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association 304(23): 2603-2610.
REPORTS, SURVEYS, GUIDELINES, RESOURCES:
MORE JOBS IN BIKE LANES THAN OTHER ROAD PROJECTS. The Political Economy Research Institute at the University of Massachusetts Amherst has published a new report that indicates building pedestrian projects, bike lanes and bike boulevards create more jobs per million dollars spent than road repairs and road resurfacing. Researchers studied the costs of engineering, construction, and materials for different types of projects in the city of Baltimore, Md. and concluded that, for a given amount of spending, bike lanes create about twice as many jobs as road construction. [Source: American Bicyclist Update, January 18, 2011]
NEW REPORT: BRIDGING THE GAP IN BICYCLE NETWORKS. Bridges are critical parts of community transportation networks, and making sure they safely accommodate people on foot or on bike allows for expanded mobility and transportation choice. There are thousands of overdue bridge projects around the country. This means more chances than ever before to provide accommodations for bicycling and walking. Failure to do so means missing a once-in-a-generation opportunity. A new report from the League of American Bicyclists shows how to advocate successfully for “complete” bridges, including lessons learned from several campaigns. [Source: National Complete Streets Coalition Newsletter, December 2010]
AMERICA WALKS STRATEGIC PLAN FOR 2011-2013. America Walks has published a three-year plan that outlines goals, objectives, and tactics to create safe and attractive streets and neighborhoods that encourage people of all ages, abilities, ethnicities, and incomes to walk for exercise, recreation, and transportation. Walkable community policies promote health, economic vitality, environmental sustainability, and social equity. [Source: America Walks Monthly E-Newsletter, December 2010
PROMOTING ACTIVE COMMUNITIES:
OVER TWO HUNDRED COMPLETE STREETS POLICIS ADOPTED. The Complete Streets movement continues to grow, with over 200 jurisdictions formally committed to Complete Streets by the end of 2010. This milestone comes only 14 months after the 100th community adopted the Complete Streets policies, showing the success of coalition members, partners, and allies in communicating the possibilities of accessible, multimodal, equitable, healthier transportation systems.
SAN ANTONIO ADDS OUTDOOR FITNESS EQUIPMENT TO PARKS. San Antonio, TX has made working out even easier by installing outdoor fitness equipment in city parks. The city has installed the equipment in four parks, and nine more parks will receive fitness equipment in 2011. The pieces include equipment allowing the user to perform stretches, power step exercises, push ups, squats, and core and balance exercises with the goal of improving cardiovascular conditioning, muscle tone and flexibility. The installation of the fitness equipment was made possible by the Communities Putting Prevention to Work grant (funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) awarded to the Metro Health Department to combat obesity and related diseases. [Source: The San Antonio Express-News]
TURNING FAILED COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES INTO PARKS. A new term gaining popularity recently is "redfields"- used to describe the red ink for underperforming, underwater and foreclosed real estate. “Redfields to Greenfields” is an initiative aimed at reducing the huge supply of stricken commercial properties and revitalizing the areas around them. The plan is this: Determine where defunct properties might fit a metropolitan green-space strategy; acquire and clear them; then make them into parks and conservation areas, some permanent and some only land-banked until the market wants them again. Redfields-to-greenfields studies have been completed for Cleveland, Denver, and Miami with more under way in Detroit, Houston, and Los Angeles. [Source: Miller-McCune Magazine]
UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS:
NATIONAL BIKE SUMMIT
3/8/2011 - 3/10/2011
Washington, DC
BIENNIAL TRAILBUILDERS CONFERENCE
3/13/2011 - 3/20/2011
Asheville, NC
126TH AAHPERD NATIONAL CONVENTION & EXPOSITION
3/29/2011 - 4/02/2011
San Diego, CA
15TH ANNUAL HEALTH & FITNESS SUMMIT
4/13/2011 - 4/16/2011
Anaheim, CA
AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL TRACKS AND TRAILS CONFERENCE
4/13/2011 - 4/16/2011
Sydney Olympic Park, NSW
SYMPOSIUM ON THERAPEUTIC RECREATION AND ADAPTED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
4/18/2011 - 4/20/2011
Lake Geneva, WI
THE 2011 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON AGING IN THE AMERICAS
4/26/2011 - 4/30/2011
San Francisco, CA
USC PRC UPDATES:
CORE PROJECT ACTIVITIES: The PRC update has just finished conducting several focus groups in preparation for launching a community campaign in the spring to raise awareness of walking facilities in underserved areas of Sumter County. The awareness campaign will be followed by a community-based walking intervention in the fall. These activities are part of our core research project for the 2009-2012 grant period.
Writers: Marsha Stepp, Robin Shook
