Active Living 
man running 

Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention it can help:

 

  • Control your weight
  • Reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease
  • Reduce your risk for type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome
  • Reduce your risk of some cancers
  • Strengthen your bones and muscles
  • Improve your mental health and mood
  • Improve your ability to do daily activities and prevent falls, if you're an older adult
  • Increase your chances of living longer

CURRENT NEWS ARTICLES

The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans Midcourse Report: Strategies to Increase Physical Activity Among Youth  (March 13, 2013) 

U.S. Health and Human Services reviewed evidence-based strategies in schools, preschool and child care centers, communities, home, and health care for increasing physical activity among young people aged 3 to 17 years.  Research shows that school physical activity programs have greater success when multiple strategies are put into action together:

  • Improve the quality of physical education by increasing lesson time, ensuring that the lessons are delivered by well-trained specialists, and emphasizing instructional practices that provide substantial moderate to vigorous activity.
  • Provide classroom activity breaks.
  • Develop activity opportunities before and after school including active transports.
  • Build skills for how to be physically active.
  • Provide after-school activity space and equipment. Read more.

More exercise, even in the evening, is linked to better sleep: Special for USA TODAY (March 4, 2013)

If late night exercise works for you, just do it. That's new advice from a leading sleep group and other experts in sleep and exercise, all of whom say it's time to throw out the old rule that you should never exercise in the hours just before bedtime. Read more.

PERFORMANCE TRIAD: ACTIVITY  STAND-TO! Edition (February 27, 2013)

The Army has no greater mission than to help Soldiers and the Army family (Soldiers, retirees, family members and civilians) prevent disease to live healthier, active lives.  Physical activity is any movement of the body of moderate intensity that increases your heart rate and works your major muscle groups (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders and arms). Read more

Services

Army Civilian Wellness Programs

The Army Civilian Wellness / Fitness Program is a Department of the Army (DA) program intended to encourage Civilian employees to improve their health and fitness through exercise and other positive health benefits. Guidance on Civilian fitness programs may be found in AR 600-63, Army Health Promotion, para 5-2c.  Basic elements and requirements of the program Civilians are authorized up to... (more)

Army Wellness Center Services

Goal of the Army Wellness Center (AWC) Army Wellness Centers (AWC) provide standardized primary prevention programs and services designed to promote and sustain healthy lifestyles and improve the overall well-being of Soldiers, Family Members, Retirees, and DA Civilians.  Along with improving fitness, AWC programs can directly impact readiness by reducing lost or limited duty time and the n... (more)

Physical Training Injury Prevention

Although it is recognized that the health benefits of physical activity and exercise far outweigh the risks of getting hurt, injuries are the greatest threat to our readiness across the military spectrum. Weight-bearing and exercise-related activities account for 50% of these injuries.  ... (more)

Pregnancy Postpartum Physical Training Program

The intent of the Army Pregnancy Postpartum Physical Training (P3T) Program is to implement a mandatory standardized Army-wide PPPT Program.   The P3T Program is aligned with exercise recommendations from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.  Policies released in recent years strengthen the ability of local P3T Programs to... (more)