Senate Passes Bill Promoting Physical Activity Among Americans

Senate Passes Bill Promoting Physical Activity Among Americans

Guidelines will help combat nation’s growing health crisis

(Washington, DC)- The U.S. Senate yesterday passed S. 1608, a major health-promotion bill supported by the American College of Sports Medicine. The Promoting Physical Activity for Americans Act would require the updating of the U.S. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans every 10 years. ACSM has been leading the charge because of the bill’s potential impact in addressing a major health crisis. The bill now goes to the U.S. House of Representatives for consideration and approval. 

“We are grateful for the Senate’s support of this bill,” said ACSM President Bill Kraus, M.D. “Updating the physical activity guidelines based on the latest evidence will provide the recommendations needed to combat the growing health crisis in our country.” 

Physical activity helps fight the disturbing increases in prevalent chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease, sleep apnea, colon cancer, breast cancer, persistent depressive disorder and arthritis. These conditions are either preventable or can be moderated through regular physical activity. 

With such a powerful return on investment, ACSM has been leading the charge to pass the new legislation, which will: 

• Require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to publish a report called “Physical Activity Recommendations for Americans” at least every 10 years based on the latest scientific evidence;
• Midway through each 10-year cycle, a second report would highlight “best practices and continuing issues in the physical activity arena, which may focus on a particular group… or a particular issue relating to the physical activity of Americans.”
• Help fight the growing obesity epidemic by recommending separate exercise guidelines for children, adults, seniors and people with disabilities

About the American College of Sports Medicine

The American College of Sports Medicine is the largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world. More than 50,000 members and certified professionals from around the world are dedicated to advancing and integrating scientific research to provide educational and practical applications of exercise science and sports medicine. Find details at www.acsm.org.

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