DALLAS, September 16, 2020 — The American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, and the National Football League (NFL), are assisting students, parents and educators as they embark on an untraditional school year of virtual, hybrid and socially distant classroom settings which may impact the availability of physical education.
“We know through our NFL PLAY 60 program how important it is for kids to have the resources to stay active and healthy, especially right now,” said Melissa Schiller, Director of Community Relations, NFL. “The NFL is proud to align with the American Heart Association, GoNoodle and Discovery Education to help assist in providing physical education programming to students across the country.”
The American Heart Association and the NFL are providing a free, digital game plan to deliver physical activity programming to students when they return to the classroom – wherever and however that may be. Powered by Go Noodle and Discovery Education, NFL PLAY 60 offers video content, classroom curriculum, family challenges and an interactive app that can keep kids active regardless of what format they are experiencing school this year. Rooted in science, the program prioritizes physical and mental wellness to help children have a better chance of a healthy adulthood.
Traditionally, only 1 in 5 kids get enough physical activity to meet the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ latest Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans[1]. As the pandemic continues its disruptive path, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) says that figure is likely to get worse. Physical activity is critical to drive immediate and long-term health as social distancing lingers.
Benefits to physical activity extend to sleep and overall wellness. Now that children are returning to the classroom having been home for majority of the year, physical activity benefits that can play a role in the classroom experience are vital.
“Active kids learn better. When kids are active, they focus more, think more clearly, react to stress more calmly, and perform and behave better in the classroom,” said Eduardo Sanchez, M.D., MPH, the American Heart Association's chief medical officer for prevention. “Healthy eating and regular physical activity are always key to supporting kids’ health and their future health, and it’s especially critical amid COVID-19.”
The NFL and the American Heart Association have teamed up since 2006 to inspire kids through a fun and engaging way to get physically active. The impact of physical activity on overall mental and physical wellness are essential to help children grow to reach their full potential. In addition to the online resources found at heart.org/nflplay60, the free NFL PLAY 60 app helps kids get more movement throughout the day. The PLAY 60 app allows users to control personalized avatars onscreen with their own physical movement. The app is available for iOS and Android devices.
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, Twitter or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
About NFL PLAY 60
NFL PLAY 60 is the League's national youth health and wellness campaign to encourage kids to get physically active for at least 60 minutes a day. Since PLAY 60 launched in 2007, the NFL has committed more than $352 million to youth health and fitness through PLAY 60 programming, grants and media time for public service announcements. Over the past decade, the NFL has partnered with leading academic, scientific and nonprofit organizations to help children of all abilities lead healthier, active lives. The NFL and its clubs have supported programs in over 73,000 schools and constructed more than 265 youth fitness zones nationwide—giving more than 38 million children an opportunity to boost their physical activity levels. NFL PLAY 60 is also implemented locally, as part of the NFL's in-school, after-school and team-based programs. For more information, visit NFL.com/PLAY60.
About GoNoodle
GoNoodle is a media and technology company with a suite of active engagement products for kids and the adults who love them. Created by social-emotional learning experts, GoNoodle is dedicated to empowering next-generation humans and helping the grown-ups who love them positively charge every day with Good Energy. Used in millions of homes and four-out-of-five U.S. public elementary schools, GoNoodle’s interACTIVE content that can energize, focus, calm, or cheer up. To turn screen time into active time, convert any space to play space, and make every time the best time - there’s a GoNoodle for that - visit www.gonoodle.com to get started. Headquartered everywhere kids are
For Media Inquiries:
American Heart Association
Linzy Cotaya: 504-872-3446; linzy.cotaya@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org
NFL
Jordyn White
Jordyn.White@nfl.com
GoNoodle
Julie Crabill, CMO
408-219-5617
[1] Department of Health and Human Services, 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines, page 14. Available for download here: https://health.gov/paguidelines/default.aspx