WASHINGTON, April 20, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In its continued support of an active and healthy population, the U.S. National Physical Activity Plan Alliance (NPAPA) released an updated roadmap today that details specific actions that encourage all Americans to partake in regular physical activity.
In presenting the 2016 National Physical Activity Plan (NPAP), Russell Pate, Ph.D., chairman of the nonprofit NPAPA, said that "because of this public-private initiative, we are multiple steps closer to our initial vision: one day, all Americans will be physically active, and they will live, work and play in environments that encourage and support regular physical activity."
ACE President and CEO and NPAPA Board Member Scott Goudeseune remarked, "It's incredibly exciting to have played a role in creating a plan that unites actionable, grassroots-level strategies and tactics to evidence-based knowledge, in order to help create a vibrant culture of physical activity among Americans across all socio-demographic groups. It also aligns with our mission at ACE, and many of the efforts and initiatives we've undertaken over the 30 year history of our organization."
In the coming months, ACE will be analyzing, prioritizing and developing action plans for NPAP strategies that are in alignment with its mission, with a particular focus on areas that ACE has recently been actively engaged in, including:
- The promotion of shared use for professional-led physical activity and development of Community Empowerment Partnerships
- Efforts to engage with healthcare-related organizations and integrate ACE professionals into the healthcare continuum
- Partnerships with state and local health departments in order to improve outcome tracking, promote access to evidence-based physical activity-related services and reduce health disparities
- The promotion of a more physically active workplace through a multi-level strategic plan
Building on the initial roadmap released in 2010, the 2016 plan expands its focus to include nine societal sectors—adding two new sectors—in recognition of updated information on areas that provide the best opportunity to create a national culture that supports physically active lifestyles. The addition of Faith-based settings and Sport rounds out a list that includes Business and Industry; Community Recreation, Fitness and Parks; Education; Health Care; Mass Media; Public Health; and Transportation, Land Use and Community Design.
According to Cedric X. Bryant, Ph.D., Chief Science Officer at ACE, "The 2016 plan introduced today by NPAP helps to focus and inform our efforts as an organization whose mission is to get people moving. We know there is no silver bullet to the physical inactivity epidemic that is contributing to a number of chronic medical conditions and health problems in our country today, but we believe this plan will be a driving force in keeping the momentum moving forward as we all work together for a more physically active and healthier culture in America."
At 1 p.m., the Congressional Fitness and Bicycle Caucuses will jointly host a briefing in Senate Room 209 of the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center on the updated National Plan and the Congressional Commitment that was created by the Global Alliance for Health & Performance. Bipartisan members of the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives have agreed to promote it.
The full NPAP report will be posted at 9 a.m. EDT April 20 at www.physicalactivityplan.org
About the National Physical Activity Plan Alliance:
The National Physical Activity Plan Alliance is a coalition of national organizations that have come together to insure the long term success of the National Physical Activity Plan (NPAP). The NPAP is a comprehensive set of policies, programs and initiatives that aim to increase physical activity in all segments of the U.S. population. More details at www.physicalactivityplan.org
About the American Council on Exercise:
The nonprofit organization American Council on Exercise (ACE) educates, certifies and represents more than 60,000 currently certified fitness professionals, health coaches and other allied health professionals. ACE advocates for a new intersection of fitness and healthcare, bringing the highly qualified professionals ACE represents into the healthcare continuum so they can contribute to the national solution to physical inactivity and obesity. ACE is the largest certifier in its space and all four of its primary certification programs are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), the gold standard in the United States for accreditation of certifications that assess professional competence. ACE also plays an important public-service role, conducting and providing science-based research and resources on safe and effective physical activity and sustainable behavior change. For more information, call 800-825-3636 or visit ACEfitness.org. AMERICAN COUNCIL ON EXERCISE, ACE and ACE logos are Registered Trademarks of the American Council on Exercise.