By: Russell Pate, PhD, Professor, Dept. of Exercise Science, University of South Carolina  Date: 5/17/10

The first National Physical Activity Plan (NPAP) for the United States was launched on May 3, 2010 in Washington, D.C.  What’s the purpose of the Plan?  To change our communities in ways that will make it much easier for more Americans to lead physically active lives. 

The NPAP was conceived at a time when the 2008 Federal Physical Activity Guidelines were being developed, and is a natural extension of the Federal Guidelines. While the Federal Guidelines are aimed at the individual, describing the types and amounts of physical activity that should be performed for health benefits, the NPAP targets policy makers.  The new plan offers 215 evidence-based recommendations for changes in environments in which Americans live, work, play and go to school.  When acted upon, these changes will yield marked increases in population levels physical activity. 

Government and Private Collaboration

The NPAP has been and will continue to be a collaborative effort, having been developed by a coalition of non-government and government organizations.  The NPAP is organized around eight societal sectors with the ability to reach every American.  The eight sectors include:

1. Public Health;
2. Health Care;
3. Education;
4. Transportation, Land Use and Community Design;
5. Parks, Recreation, Fitness and Sports;
6. Business and Industry;
7. Volunteer and Non-Profit Organizations;
8. Mass Media.

A coordinating committee comprised of representatives from numerous organizational partners provided overall direction and guidance for the Plan.  Working with the Coordinating Committee, Working Groups for each of the eight sectors developed the Plan’s strategies and tactics. 

In developing the Plan, the Coordinating Committee and Working Groups relied on several guiding principles:
 
• Use evidence to inform the Plan’s actions to promote physical activity.
• Include initiatives for all socio-demographic groups.
• Aim actions at local, state, federal, and institutional levels.
• Encourage the involvement of diverse stakeholders to guide the content of the Plan.
• Ground the Plan in the ecological model of health behavior.
• Ensure that the Plan’s initiatives reduce health disparities across socio-demographic groups.
• Present the Plan as a “living document” that is updated on a regular basis.

To read the NPAP and learn more about how to become involved, please visit www.physicalactivityplan.org.

Dr. Russell Pate served as a member of the National Physical Activity Plan Coordinating Committee