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ACE Calls for More Collaboration Between Community Leaders, Exercise Professionals and Health Coaches to Improve Grades on Youth Physical Activity

Posted: Oct 02, 2018 in ACE Press Releases

San Diego, October 2, 2018 —The American Council on Exercise (ACE) issued the following statement today upon release of the 2018 United States Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth. The biennial report by the National Physical Activity Plan Alliance, with support from ACE and other organizations, issues grades for nine physical activity indicators. The 2018 overall grade was a D-, the same as the two previous report cards. One of the most disappointing findings of the report card is that approximately only 24% of children 6 to 17 years of age participate in 60 minutes of daily physical activity.

“ACE was eager to support the development of the Report Card because we believe every child, in every community, deserves the opportunity to move and be active with ready access to safe physical activity options, regardless of income or ability,” said Cedric X. Bryant, PhD, FACSM, President and Chief Science Officer for ACE. “Ensuring that those opportunities are available, particularly in vulnerable communities, requires a collaborative, community-based effort. We call upon local leaders, exercise professionals and health coaches to make critical connections that will get our kids moving. It is our hope that this type of collaborative, grassroots effort is what can help raise the grade on future report cards. The fitness industry clearly possesses the capability, the expertise, and most importantly, the compassion to make a profound impact on the health and physical activity status of our youth.”

To learn more about American Council on Exercise and its mission to get all people moving, please visit www.acefitness.org.

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About ACE
The American Council on Exercise is a nonprofit organization with global reach that works to improve physical-activity levels by certifying exercise professionals and health coaches, publishing original research, convening experts on physical activity and health, working directly with community groups, and advocating for policies to get people from all walks of life moving. The 80,000 exercise professionals and health coaches certified by ACE are among the most respected in the world of fitness, helping people embrace physical activity and adopt healthier lifestyles. For more information, call 800-825-3636 or visit ACEfitness.org. AMERICAN COUNCIL ON EXERCISE, ACE and ACE logos are Registered Trademarks of the American Council on Exercise.