Are you Physically Active? No Time Like the Present to Start ...

With the weather getting warmer and Memorial Day weekend ? the unofficial start to summer ? soon upon us, what better time to make a commitment to physical fitness? How fitting then, that May is both National Physical Fitness and Sport Month and Exercise is Medicine Month! BlazeSports invites you to join us in making a commitment to physical activity this month and throughout the summer.

All individuals need health care and a good health regimen to stay well and actively participate in the community. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are many health implications for being overweight. Among the increased risks are: greater risk of hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, some cancers, high cholesterol, osteoarthritis, asthma, and other respiratory problems. For an individual with a disability, understanding how to prevent illness and manage these secondary health conditions is an important part of healthy living.

Physical activity at all ages reduces risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Physically active children, including children with disabilities, are more likely to thrive academically and socially. Physically active children also learn how to incorporate safe and healthy activities into their lives. For adults, physical activity can reduce the risks of secondary health conditions and pain as well as depression.

In 2008 the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans to provide information and guidance on the types and amounts of physical activity that provide substantial health benefits for all Americans aged 6 years and older. The report recognizes that one of the most important steps any individual can take to achieve better health is becoming physically active. If you aren?t familiar with the guidelines, we encourage you to use this month?s designation as an impetus to get in the game!

Key Guidelines for Individuals with Disabilities:
? Adults with disabilities, who are able to, should get at least 150 minutes per week (2 hours and 30 minutes) of moderate intensity, or 75 minutes (1 hour and 15 minutes) per week of vigorous intensity aerobic activity, or an equivalent combination of moderate and vigorous intensity aerobic activity. Aerobic activity should be performed in episodes of at least 10 minutes, and preferably, it should be spread throughout the week.
? Adults with disabilities, who are able to, should also do muscle strengthening activities of moderate or high intensity that involve all major muscle groups on 2 or more days per week as these activities provide additional health benefits.
? Children and adolescents should do 60 minutes (1 hour) or more of physical activity daily. Most of the 60 or more minutes a day should be either moderate or vigorous intensity aerobic physical activity, and should include vigorous intensity physical activity at least 3 days a week. Children and adolescents should include muscle strengthening physical activity and bone strengthening physical activity at least 3 days a week.
? When individuals with disabilities are not able to meet the above Guidelines, they should engage in regular physical activity according to their abilities and should avoid inactivity.
? All individuals should consult their healthcare provider about the amounts and types of physical activity that are
appropriate for their abilities.
For more, visit: http://health.gov/paguidelines/pdf/paguide.pdf

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