August 2007

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From the Active for Life Program Office
Tips, Tactics and Tools
In the News
Upcoming Events
Funding Opportunities

From the Active for Life® National Program Office

Active Options
Active Options has been developed to help older adults, health care providers, information and assistance specialists, and others identify appropriate and accessible physical activity programs for older adults. This Web site can also help physical activity program providers reach and recruit more older adults into their programs and help them identify gaps in the programs currently being offered in a community. For information, go to http://activeoptions.org.

Research Translator Blog
Community-based health and wellness practitioners who work with older adults need evidence-based information. However, this type of information is often only available through difficult-to-access university libraries and databases. The information can also be presented in an overly technical manner. To address this, the Aging Research Translator Blog (http://agingresearchtranslator.blogspot.com/) offers weekly, easy-to-understand updates on aging-related research for community-based practitioners.

Take Control with Exercise
This upbeat 60-minute fitness DVD produced by the Arthritis Foundation provides a balanced exercise routine based on the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program. It has been created specifically for people with arthritis. The DVD includes two optional endurance routines to create a more challenging workout and a guided imagery segment for relaxation. For information, go to http://ww2.arthritis.org/afstore/singleproduct.asp?idCat=&idSubCat=&idproduct=3785.

In the News

Updated Physical Activity Guidelines
Updated physical activity guidelines have been released by the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Heart Association, published in the August issue of Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. The guidelines recommend the same amount of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity for adults ages 65 and older, and adults ages 50 to 64 with chronic conditions or functional limitations, as for those ages 18-65. The recommendation is at least 30 minutes of aerobic activity on five days each week or vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity for at least 20 minutes on three days each week. The recommended amount of aerobic activity, whether of moderate- or vigorous-intensity, is in addition to routine, light-intensity activities of daily living. Muscle-strengthening activities have been incorporated into the new guidelines. To maximize strength development, those 65 and older need to include resistance (weight) training into their fitness routine. This should include 10 to 15 repetitions of exercises that use major muscle groups. Flexibility training two days a week, and balance exercises to reduce the risk of falls, should also be incorporated into the fitness programs of people age 65 and older.

A Little Bit Helps
According to research published in the May 16 issue of Journal of the American Medical Association (http://jama.ama-assn.org/), even small amounts of physical activity, approximately 75 minutes per week (25 minutes, three times per week), can help improve fitness levels for postmenopausal women who are sedentary and overweight or obese.

A Little More May Be Better
While moderate intensity walking can decrease the likelihood of disability and age-associated disease, researchers at the Mayo Clinic have noted that such physical activity may not be sufficient. High-intensity activity might be needed to protect against age-associated increases in blood pressure and decreases in thigh muscle strength and peak aerobic capacity. The study was reported in the July issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings (http://www.mayoclinicproceedings.com.)

Exercise Does Not Effect Osteoarthritis
Researchers have found that moderate physical activity has no effect on the risk of developing knee osteoarthritis (OA), according to a study in a recent issue of Arthritis Care and Research (http://www3.interscience.wiley.com) The results of the study, which monitored 1,279 older adults over a nine-year study period, suggested that older adults, even those who are overweight, can participate in recreational exercise without worrying that they might develop knee OA as a result.

Home-Based Self-Management of Arthritis
Researchers reported in the June 4 issue of the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (http://www.ijbnpa.org/content/4/1/22) that older home-bound adults who participated in a home-based self-management arthritis intervention called I'm Taking Charge of My Arthritis! maintained their variety and frequency of exercise eight months following the completion of the intervention. The findings of this study indicate that significant improvements in exercise levels and the long-term maintenance of behaviors can be achieved through a self-management intervention with this target population. Home interventions may also have a strong impact on the facilitation of learning and adoption of behaviors. Wide scale interventions such as this may make a significant contribution to the management of disability among those suffering from arthritis.

Healthy Lifestyles Lower Cardiac Risk
In a study published in the July 2007 issue of the American Journal of Medicine (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00029343), researchers from the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston found that people 45 to 64 years of age who added healthy lifestyle behaviors could substantially reduce their risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and reduce their death rate. Compared to people with less-healthy lifestyles, study participants’ incidence of cardiovascular disease dropped 35 percent—and their death rate dropped 40 percent—when they ate at least five fruits and vegetables daily, exercised at least two and one-half hours per week, maintained a Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18.5 and 30 kg/m, and did not smoke.

Upcoming Events

Excellence in Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging
A new awards program recognizes communities for their outstanding comprehensive approaches to implementing principles of smart growth, as well as strategies that support active aging. This award will be presented to communities with the best and most inclusive overall approach to implementing smart growth and active aging at the neighborhood, tribe, city, county, and/or regional level. Eligible candidates are invited to submit applications, which are due October 17. The initiative is a collaborative effort with the President's Council for Fitness and Sports, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Council on Aging's Centers for Healthy Aging, the National Blueprint Initiative, and Active for Life. More information about the award is located at: http://www.epa.gov/aging/bhc/awards/index.htm.

Community Participation in Research
The Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research/NIH/DHHS is sponsoring support for research on health promotion, disease prevention, and health disparities that is jointly conducted by communities and researchers. For more information, go to http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-05-026.html or e-mail kbagley@ahrq.gov.

Funding Childhood Obesity Initiatives
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation will commit at least $500 million over the next five years to fight childhood obesity in the U.S. The Foundation will focus on improving access to affordable healthy foods and opportunities for safe physical activity in schools and communities. It will place special emphasis on reaching children at greatest risk for obesity and related health problems: African-American, Latino, Native American, Asian American and Pacific Islander children living in low-income communities. Information is available at http://www.rwjf.org/portfolios/features/featuredetail.jsp?featureID=2276&type=3&iaid=138.