The American Heart Association (AHA) has joined forces with the National Football League (NFL) and its 32 teams to issue a challenge to young people to maintain their physical activity and promote strong physical and mental health. This initiative is part of the NFL PLAY 60 Fitness Break broadcast series, leading up to the live Draft coverage on Thursday, April 25. The NFL PLAY 60 Draft Fitness Break broadcast will take place at 1 pm ET/ 12 pm CT/ 10 am PT and aims to help kids achieve their daily 60 minutes of movement through a free, 15-minute exercise program.
According to the AHA, children should partake in a minimum of 60 minutes of vigorous physical activity each day. Establishing healthy habits through regular exercise and discouraging sedentary behaviours in kids is crucial for their immediate and long-term health benefits. It can also have a positive impact on their academic performance. Research has shown that physically active students tend to have better grades, cognitive performance, and classroom behaviours.
Nancy Brown, the CEO of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association, expressed excitement about partnering with the NFL on the NFL PLAY 60 initiative. The goal is to support youth across the country in moving towards a healthier and more active lifestyle. Brown emphasized the importance of wellness education and life-saving skills, such as CPR, to help people across generations live longer, healthier lives.
The Fitness Break broadcasts are rooted in American Heart Association science and help students understand how physical activity contributes to their overall wellness. During the upcoming NFL Draft broadcast, the Detroit Lions and other teams, along with mascots from across the league, will encourage kids to get moving with exercise instruction while also educating them on nutrition. This will be the third broadcast of the school year, following the NFL PLAY 60 Fitness Break Kickoff broadcast in September and the NFL Super Bowl Fitness Break in February. The event on draft day will introduce a new suite of NFL PLAY 60 resources, including Fitness Break broadcasts, for the 2024-2025 school year. Additionally, students can access on-demand NFL PLAY 60 resources to add movement to their day.
The NFL PLAY 60 Exercise Library features two-to-three minute on-demand exercise videos from each of the 32 NFL teams, showcasing players, NFL Legends, cheerleaders, and mascots. The NFL PLAY 60 app allows participants to select their favourite team and control personalized avatars on screen with their own physical movement. Users can design their custom workouts and earn special PLAY points and NFL merchandise for their on-screen PLAY 60 avatars.
Anna Isaacson, NFL’s Senior Vice President of Social Responsibility, expressed the NFL’s excitement to collaborate with the American Heart Association on the NFL PLAY 60 Draft Fitness Break. Through this initiative, they aim to encourage students to achieve their daily goal of 60 minutes of physical activity. Isaacson hopes that the inspiring stories of this year’s Draft prospects will motivate students across the country to embrace healthy lifestyles and pursue their dreams.
The NFL PLAY 60 Fitness Initiative is a commendable effort to promote physical activity and healthy living among today’s youth. By combining the popularity of football with the significance of staying active, this initiative has the potential to make a positive impact on the lives of countless young people across the country.