National Physical Fitness and Sports Month

May 2019

This is a time to highlight the importance of staying active through sports and other fitness activities. Research says 60 minutes per day of physical activity for kids (and adults 30 minutes per day) is important for our health. A sedentary lifestyle has been identified as a primary risk factor for obesity and other chronic diseases. Unfortunately, obesity among American Indian children and adolescents is increasing. Watching television and videos, and playing video games have become increasingly popular, and may act as substitutes for moderate and vigorous physical activities in adolescents.  During this month of awareness, we encourage everyone to power-off mobile devices and video games and instead, become more physically active while at home and at school or work.

Here are some ideas for how to promote physical activity:

  • Hold a community fitness fair or family fitness night, where families participate in fitness demonstrations and learn about community resources (e.g. parks, trails, and fitness facilities) related to physical activity.
  • Conduct a walk-a-thon, where students raise money to walk a certain number of laps or miles. Use the funds raised to purchase equipment for PE, recess or classroom physical activity breaks.
  • Create a fitness circuit course with various fitness stations.
  • Plan a school-wide field day.
  • Challenge classrooms to be active for at least 10 minutes per day by participating in daily classroom physical activity breaks.
  • Host open gym for students to experience new sports and fitness activities.
  • Encourage families to participate at home by taking a walk after dinner or going for a bike ride.
  • Encourage families to make small changes. Remind them that activity for just 5 or 10 minutes at a time adds up throughout the day!

For younger kids, try:

  • Dancing
  • Playing tag
  • Hide and seek
  • Hula Hoop
  • Jump Rope

What will you do this month to be more physically active?

National Physical Fitness and Sports Month Infographic