Blueprint Partners Progress Newsletter: June 2005

In this Issue:

ASA Physical Activity Resource for Professionals
New Human Kinetics Publication on Osteoporosis
Small Steps to Fitness
Community Factors that Promote Physical Activity
AoA Invites Communities to Hold a Local You Can! Celebration
AARP Quiz on Livable Communities
Online Resource Tracks Diet and Fitness Habits
Upcoming Blueprint Organization Meetings

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ASA Physical Activity Resource for Professionals
Physical Activity for Older Adults: Exercise for Life is a free online resource from the American Society on Aging in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for organizations providing health promotion programs for older adults. The resource contains a facilitator’s guide and modules that can be used as a set or individually. Topics include how to brainstorm solutions; how to create a welcoming environment for physical activity, how to relate functional ability to physical activity programming, and others.
www.asaging.org/cdc/module6/home.cfm

New Human Kinetics Publication on Osteoporosis
Action Plan for Osteoporosis is a research-based exercise plan with sample programs on boosting bone health, muscle strength, mobility, and balance.
www.humankinetics.com

Small Steps to Fitness
A study presented at the ACSM Annual Meeting showed that previously sedentary older adults were more likely to maintain modest fitness goals than more challenging goals over time. Forty-two percent of the group with a goal of 2,500 walking steps above their baseline met the goal on four out of seven days each week in the eight-week study. Only 15 percent of the group with a goal to take 10,000 steps each day met their objective. The study indicates that smaller goals may be more effective in helping people not only to become physically active, but also to maintain an exercise program.
www.acsm.org

Community Factors that Promote Physical Activity
A University of Pittsburg study of older women found that neighborhoods with lower socio-economic status, homes built from 1950-1969, and proximity to businesses were positively associated to higher levels of physical activity. According to the researchers, neighborhoods with lower SES have a culture where people walk to visit with neighbors and rely on walking since transportation options may be limited. Participants living close to a post office and golf course walked on average from 1 to 1.5 miles more than those who did not.
American Journal of Preventive Medicine (2005, June), 28 (5), 461-469

AoA Invites Communities to Hold a Local You Can! Celebration
You Can! partners are encouraged to celebrate ways for older adults to be active and healthy this September. During any seven-day period, communities can create a You Can! Celebration where participants make a pledge and engage in healthier lifestyle activities. Community partners that sign up for the Celebration and complete a contest entry form have a chance to receive an award. In October, the best entries in leadership categories will be recognized.
www.aoa.gov/youcan

AARP Quiz on Livable Communities
How livable is your community? AARP developed a 10-point community self-assessment checklist.
www.aarp.org

Online Resource Tracks Diet and Fitness Habits
MyPyramid Tracker is an online resource based on the new food guidance system. Participants can track their diet and physical activity habits online and receive daily tips and advice.
www.mypyramid.og/

Upcoming Blueprint Organization Meetings
N4A 30th Annual Conference: Boomers in Transition
July 9-13, Bellevue, WA

AAFP Annual Scientific Assembly
Sept. 28-Oct. 2, San Francisco, CA

NCGNP 24th Annual Conference
Sept. 28-Oct. 2, Cleveland, OH

AARP National Event and Expo
Sept. 29-Oct. 1, New Orleans, LA

UIUC and ACSM Walking for Health: Measurement and Research Issues and Challenges
Oct. 13-15, Urbana, IL

GSA Annual Conference
Nov. 18-22, New Orleans, LA

ICAA Active Aging 2005
Dec. 1-3, Orlando, FL

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The Blueprint Partners Project is an initiative of the Active Aging Partnership. For more information, contact the Blueprint Partnership Office at the University of Illinois Department of Kinesiology, 350 Freer Hall, 906 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL 61801.
E-Mail: blueprint@kines.uiuc.edu
Phone: (217) 244-7122
Web site: www.agingblueprint.org