Fitness is Fun!
November 2005

PCPFS 50 Year Celebration
The PCPFS Council members, Science Board, and staff are getting ready for 2006, the 50 year celebration of the creation of the PCPFS, originally known as President's Council on Youth Fitness. We encourage national, state, local, private and public organizations, industry, volunteer groups to join us in highlighting the benefits of a fit and active lifestyle and all of the great model programs at the grassroots level! This is a great opportunity for the PCPFS to highlight all of your accomplishment. A special seal has been developed for this celebration and is available for all schools, businesses, and organizations to use. A fact sheet on becoming a partner can be viewed at http://www.presidentschallenge.org/misc/news_research/announcements/pcpfs50.pdf If you'd like to find out more, please don't hesitate to call Chris Spain at the President's Council Physical Fitness and Sports 202-690-9000.

PCPFS Honor Award Nominations
The PCPFS Honor Award is given annually to an individual who has made a major contribution to the advancement and promotion of the science of physical activity, in addition to being an advocate of the mission of the PCPFS. Nominations from individuals and organizations are welcome. The nominations will be screened and finalist(s) recommended to the PCPFS Executive Director by a committee of former honor award winners. Nominations for the 2006 Honor Award should be submitted to the PCPFS office no later than December 1, 2005. You may download the form at: http://www.presidentschallenge.org/misc/news_research/announcements/SportsAwardApp.pdf.

Physical Activity Important in all Stages of Life
Older adults have much to gain by being physically active, as regular activity can help reduce blood pressure, improve muscle strength and stamina and maintain healthy muscles, bones and joints. Unfortunately, as adults begin to age, participation in physical activity decreases. The CDC cites that by age 75 one in three men and one in two women participate in physical activity.

Physical activity does not have to be strenuous exercise. Walking and gardening are just two examples of non-vigorous activities that can yield health benefits. Check to see if your local mall has a walking program or if other indoor locations allow community members to come in and walk. Using a buddy program can also help to encourage participation, both because of accountability and the added fun that a companion adds to a routine.

Talk to your doctor before beginning a new physical activity program. Your doctor may know of programs within your area specifically for your health needs. For more information on aging-related topics, visit http://www.cdc.gov/aging/.

Exercise Helps Elderly Cut Long-Term Risk of Falls
A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society revealed that exercise may help prevent falls in the elderly over the long term. Among 98 elderly women who participated in a 6-month exercise program, researchers found that their risk of falls was still reduced a year following the program.

In the earlier study, the researchers found that strength training and agility exercises cut the women's risk of falls by 47 percent to 57 percent. One year after the exercise regimen ended, women who had done strength training were still 43 percent less likely to fall than they were at the study's outset. Similarly, women who had performed agility exercises still had a 40-percent lower risk of falling.

For the entire article, please visit http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9927072/ or check out the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

President's Challenge Active Lifestyle Program
Don't let the holidays keep you from reaching your fitness goals. Staying active is easy and free with our Active Lifestyle program. Regardless of age, this six week program requires you to be active for five days a week. Children need to be active for one hour per day, and adults need 30 minutes of physical activity per day. You can choose from our list containing a wide variety of activities to help you get active, including cross country skiing, racquetball, running, and snow shoveling.

Make your commitment to being active and stick to it with your personal activity log available at http://www.presidentschallenge.org/pdf/pala_activity_log.pdf . This program is available for those without access to the internet as well. Contact one of our service representatives at 1-800-258-8146 to request a copy of the Active Lifestyle log.

SilverSneakers Fitness Program
Are you an older adult looking to join a gym, but cannot afford the monthly membership? SilverSneakers may be the program you are looking for. They have partnered with various health insurance providers to give the added benefit of a gym membership at no additional costs to current customers. Contact your health insurance provider to see if you are eligible for this program. To find out if the program is available in your area visit http://www.silversneakers.com or call 1-888-432-4632.

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

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

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

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