American Council on Exercise (ACE) Announces Support and Advocacy of the National Physical Activity Plan

SAN DIEGO, May 3 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Council on Exercise (ACE), America's leading authority on fitness and one of the largest fitness certification, education and training organizations in the world, joins a coalition of experts to announce today its involvement with and support of the National Physical Activity Plan, a sweeping initiative to improve public health by motivating people to become and stay physically active, and to remove the barriers that may stand in their way.

"We believe in the need for a united front to inspire and empower Americans to lead more physically active lifestyles," said Scott Goudeseune, ACE president and CEO. "We agree that the National Physical Activity Plan is an initiative that will help us educate and support our communities, and that this is moving us one substantial step forward toward our ultimate goal."

The Plan, originally called for during a multi-organizational roundtable in 2006, is, in part, an answer to America's alarming rates of adult and childhood obesity and decreasing levels of physical activity. Research has shown that physical activity can help prevent and treat obesity, diabetes, coronary heart disease, depression, bone disease, cancer and myriad other diseases. If implemented, measures called for in the National Physical Activity Plan could significantly improve public health, cut health care costs and reduce health disparities.

"We are encouraging a new way of thinking about lifestyle, activity, mobility and general physical fitness," said Russell Pate, Ph.D., chair of the National Physical Activity Plan. "It's well established that physical activity brings manifold health benefits, but we need to change people's behavior. The Plan provides a roadmap for change, addressing everything from the education of health professionals to zoning laws, school policies and workplace wellness programs."

Leaders in public health, transportation, education, business and other fields today announced The Plan at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. Following this launch, the National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity is facilitating implementation, working with ACE and the supporting organizations to coordinate teams focused on each of the sectors to implement the plan at the national, regional and grassroots levels. According to Pate, they will collectively promote public policy, track results and launch a cause-related marketing campaign to engage all audiences.

"In alignment with ACE's mission, this plan contains the strategies needed to best execute our longterm vision of creating a more-fit America," continued Goudeseune. "We are honored to be involved with such an initiative and have high expectations for a very positive outcome."

For more information on ACE and the National Physical Activity Plan, please visit http://www.acefitness.org/aboutace/PublicOutreach.aspx or www.physicalactivityplan.org.

About the American Council on Exercise

The American Council on Exercise (ACE), America's premier certification, education and training organization, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the benefits of physical activity and protecting consumers against unsafe and ineffective fitness products and instruction. ACE sponsors university-based exercise science research and is the world's largest nonprofit fitness certifying organization. For more information on ACE and its programs, call (800) 825-3636 or log onto the ACE website at www.acefitness.org.

SOURCE American Council on Exercise