Fitness Resources for Family & Women's Health & Fitness Days
This weekend and into next week, communities across the United States will be marking Family Health & Fitness Day and National Women's Health & Fitness Day — two great opportunities to remind patients about the importance of fitness to their daily and long-term health.
Saturday, September 24 marks the 20th anniversary of Family Health & Fitness Day USA, a national program that encourages communities to hold events to "increase good health awareness and promote family involvement in physical activity."
"An estimated 10,000+ families are expected to participate" in Family Health & Fitness Day activities, and activities are anticipated at more than 500 locations. Hospitals and healthcare centers often are among the groups sponsoring these activities: Check with your administrator to find out what events are happening in your area — or impress your patients by starting your own!
"On Wednesday, September 28, 2016, an estimated 50,000-75,000 women of all ages will participate in local health and fitness events at more than 500 community locations across the country as part of the 15th Annual National Women's Health & Fitness Day," states the event's official news release.
Like Family Health & Fitness Day, National Women's Health & Fitness Day offers health and fitness events at community locations across the nation, this time geared towards women's health. In addition to hospitals and health centers, events are expected to be held at schools, houses of worship, park and recreation centers, retirement communities, senior centers, and others. Events "will include fitness walks, exercise demonstrations, health fairs, and health information workshops."
"Our goal for this national event is to encourage women to take control of their health: to learn the facts they need to make smart health choices, and to make time for regular physical activity," said Patricia Henze, Executive Director of the Health Information Resource Center, in the news release. Women's Health & Fitness Day is also designed to showcase the many women's health resources available through the local organizations that will host events on Wednesday, September 28, 2016."
Visit the official Family Health & Fitness Day website for more information on how to participate.
Resources For National Health & Fitness Day
To help motivate your patients, your community, and even yourself for this focus on fitness, we've rounded up some interesting fitness resources from across the Internet.
American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
Since 1954, the ACSM has been working to promote and integrate "scientific research, education, and practical applications of sports medicine and exercise science to maintain and enhance physical performance, fitness, health, and quality of life." Members "work in a wide range of medical specialties, allied health professions, and scientific disciplines, and are committed to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of sports-related injuries and the advancement of the science of exercise." The ACSM's website is a collection of fitness news, resources, videos, and much more; check it out here.
The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (PCFSN)
The PCFSN is a governmental organization, part of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, that seeks to "promote, encourage and motivate Americans of all ages to become physically active and participate in sport." The website offers a helpful collection of valuable fitness and nutrition facts, figures, and guides. You can find it at fitness.gov.
HealthyWomen.org
HealthyWomen.org is a collection of women's health resources, articles, tools, videos — even an "ask the expert" feature designed to answer the public's questions about women's health and fitness. The website also highlights preventive health and condition-specific guidelines. Visit it at HealthyWomen.org.
Health.gov's Physical Activity Guidelines
Health.gov's Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (PAG, or the Guidelines) are a resource for health professionals and policymakers to "provide guidance on how children and adults can improve their health through physical activity." The website backs up that claim with lots of information and motivators for people of all ages. You can find it at Health.gov.
Healthfinder.gov
Healthfinder.gov offers a variety of essential information for consumers and professionals alike, billing itself as "a prevention and wellness resource for consumers and their families — with evidence-based health information that's actionable and easy to use." The site offers "personalized recommendations for clinical preventive services" with "more than 100 prevention and wellness topics." You can find it here.
NIH Exercise Guidelines for Seniors
The NIH Exercise Guidelines for Seniors has a collection of videos and brief run-downs on the importance of exercise that is aimed specifically at seniors, providing a great reference point for motivating elderly patients to stay fit and healthy. Visit the website here.
The American Council on Exercise
The American Council on Exercise largely offers resources for fitness professionals, including lots of information about certifications and continuing education. Check out their website here.
Organized by the Health Information Resource Center (HIRC), a "national clearinghouse for consumer health information programs and materials," Family Health & Fitness Day USA and National Women's Health & Fitness Day are held each September. For more information on the events, check out HIRC's website. Ask your local chamber of commerce or search Google News for Fitness Day events in and around your community.
Share these fitness resources with your social networks — and with ours! You can find us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google Plus and YouTube.