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Vol. LX, No. 9
NIH RECORD HOME NIH RECORD ARCHIVES NIH HOME PAGE May 2, 2008
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‘Take a Hike’
NIH’ers Walk the Talk in Exercise Challenge
By Jan Ehrman

On the front page...

Are you springing into action? More than 1,400 NIH employees and contractors are currently participating in HHS’s Healthier Feds Challenge, part of the National President’s Fitness Challenge, an 8-week physical fitness program focusing on getting Americans up and moving. The program runs through May 15.

While the President’s Challenge is an annual event involving many agencies, the HHS portion has taken on a local flavor for NIH’ers this year. For the first time, “we wanted to bring it more to the NIH level—to actually break it down from HHS to the NIH institutes and centers— promoting a bit of competition between them,” explained Tom Hayden, director of the Division of Amenities and Transportation Services, Office of Research Services.

Continued...

  Tom Hayden, director of the Division of Amenities and Transportation Services, ORS, is taking part in this year’s Healthier Feds Challenge. The web site for the challenge features fitness expert and television personality Denise Austin.  
  Tom Hayden, director of the Division of Amenities and Transportation Services, ORS, is taking part in this year’s Healthier Feds Challenge. The web site for the challenge features fitness expert and television personality Denise Austin.  

Jogging, yoga, shooting hoops, gardening and even painting your house are among the 100-plus activities that satisfy the requirements of the program (the full list is available at www.fitness.gov/activities.htm). The goal is to have all participants exercising or partaking in some form of physical activity for at least 5 days a week for a minimum of 30 minutes per outing. This coincides with the council’s recommendations for optimal health. Participants may work out individually or in groups.

Exercisers earn points based on how active they are. Points earned not only go toward the overall HHS count, but also enable the ICs to engage each other in friendly competition. Meanwhile, HHS also competes on a broader scale, against other departments within government.

NIH Take a Hike Day Image

NIH director Dr. Elias Zerhouni will provide opening remarks at “NIH Take a Hike Day,” a non-competitive run/walk to begin in front of Bldg. 1 and extend around the perimeter of the campus on Tuesday, May 6, from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The hike had registered more than 1,200 participants as of mid-April. May is also National Physical Fitness and Sport Month. NIH will hold a special yoga presentation during “NIH Yoga Week: Exploring the Science and Practice of Yoga,” May 19-23 (see story on p. 2). Special guests are expected to appear at both events.

That NIH should take the fitness event to heart is appropriate, especially with science currently providing evidence for the health benefits of regular activity. Also, “with this being the premier agency devoted towards curing a multitude of diseases, we need to get out there and set the standards for healthy living, healthy habits,” said Hayden, who has chosen walking as his activity.

Studies have consistently demonstrated that regular physical activity enhances fitness, decreases obesity and lowers several risk factors for cardiovascular disease, while minimizing the likelihood of developing other serious illnesses.

The kickoff for the 2008 National President’s Challenge was held Mar. 20 and featured Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning, quarterback of the New York Giants, and acting surgeon general Dr. Steven Galson. NIHRecord Icon

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