The Built Environment and Physical Activity

several people in a park, someone on a bike, playing fetch with a dog, three people doing yoga, two walking and two on a bench

It has been well-established that physical activity and/or exercise can help to reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease.   To reap these benefits, we only need to accumulate 150 minutes per week of physical activity1. That means that you can be physically active for as little as 10 …

Read more

Play(grounds) for All: Inclusive Playgrounds and the Fitness Professional

four children, one in a wheelchair, using a playground

For children, playgrounds offer numerous physical, social and cognitive benefits, including the development of motor skills, social skills, creativity and independence. These structures, defined as a designated play area that contains traditional play equipment linked together by paths, provide rich contexts for children to explore their social and physical environments. As a result, playgrounds offer …

Read more

Community Gardens: Enhancing Nutrition, Physical Activity and Connection in Neighborhoods Across America

woman wearing overalls and young boy in striped shirt harvesting a giant lettuce in a community garden

Gardening goes in and out of fashion over time, but the COVID-19 pandemic ushered in a new, younger wave of gardeners, many of whom grow in one of the more than 29,000 community garden plots located in city parks in the 100 largest U.S. cities. Community gardens have many benefits, including promoting healthy eating and …

Read more

Economic Benefits of Workplace Wellness Programs and Changes since COVID-19

one male and two female coworkers walking and talking outdoors on a nice day

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, more employees have shifted to hybrid and remote work in office work, telehealth, information technology, education and other fields; however, there are many jobs that cannot be performed remotely, such as transportation, hospitality, manufacturing, food service, supermarket and other retail work and the majority of healthcare positions. Therefore, …

Read more

Activity Friendly Spaces Make Good Business “Cents”: How Local Businesses can Support and Advocate for Pedestrians and Cyclists

three people locking bikes to a bike rack

Without question, activity friendly spaces—those that support walking and bicycling for leisure and transportation—are good for both personal health and the environment. When trips that are usually taken via automobile are taken by foot or bike instead, there is reduced traffic, congestion and pollution. But are these spaces good for businesses? You can bet your …

Read more

The Role of Stress in Sleep Quality

man in bed grabbing his head, frustrated that he cannot sleep

Have you ever gone to sleep at night and woke up the next day feeling groggy and unrested? Or not be able to fall asleep at all due to stress? The need for and benefits of quality sleep cannot be overemphasized, but how can people actually get to a point where they are reaching adequate …

Read more