Promoting Lifelong Physical Activity

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has compiled Guidelines for School and Community Programs to Promote Lifelong Physical Activity Among Young People. The guidelines, developed in collaboration with experts from other federal and state agencies, universities, voluntary organizations and professional associations, have been based upon extensive review of research and practice.

According to these guidelines, physical activity programs for young people are more likely to be effective when they emphasize enjoyable participation in physical activities and when they offer a diverse range of activities. In addition, physical activity becomes more effective when it is promoted by all components of a coordinated school health program and developes links between school and community programs.

The guidelines include ten recommendations for ensuring quality physical activity programs:

Policy: Óstablish policies that promote enjoyable, lifelong physical activity. Schools should require daily physical education and comprehensive health education (including lessons on physical activity) in grades K-12.

Environment: Provide physical and social environments that encourage and enable young people to engage in safe and enjoyable physical activity, including school time, such as recess, for unstructured physical activity, such as jumping rope.

Physical Education Curricula and Instruction: Implement sequential physical education curricula and instruction in grades K-12 that emphasize enjoyable participation in lifetime physical activities and that keep students active for most of class time.

Health Education Curricula and Instruction: Implement health education curricula and instruction that help students develop the knowledge, attitudes, and skills they need to adopt and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Extracurricular Activities: Provide extracurricular physical activity programs that offer diverse, developmentally appropriate activities-both noncompetitive and competitive-for all students.

Family Involvement: Encourage parents and guardians to support their children’s participation in physical activity, to be physically active role models, and to include physical activity in family events.

Training: Provide training to enable teachers, coaches, recreation and health care staff, and other school and community personnel to promote enjoyable, lifelong physical activity among young people.

Health Services: Assess the physical activity patterns of young people, refer them to appropriate physical activity programs, and advocate for physical activity instruction and programs for young people.

Community Programs: Provide a range of developmentally appropriate community sports and recreation programs that are attractive to all young people.

Evaluation: Regularly evaluate physical activity instruction, programs, and facilities.

For more information visit www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dash/physact.htm or call 770-488-3168.

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