The wrap-up of the inaugural National President’s Challenge (NPC) , the launch of the new Adult Fitness Test, and the development of the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans have kept the President’s Council active these last few months.  I applaud the top four states: Alaska, Arkansas, Wyoming, and Maryland and #5, the District of Columbia. Secretary Leavitt honored Alaska Governor Sarah Palin with the Champions Award, and Acting Surgeon General Steven Galson and I had the pleasure of honoring the state of Arkansas as #2. I want to thank our Council members for promoting the inaugural NPC in their home states and nationwide.  Additionally, I applaud the HHS Regional Health Administrators and Regional Directors who helped us get the word out in their respective regions, as well as many Governors, President’s Challenge Advocates and others who promoted the program. The team effort truly paid off! People from all 50 states and several territories participated and committed to a more active lifestyle. 

Launching the Adult Fitness Test at Results Gym on Capitol Hill was exciting.  Council Members were joined by Admiral Galson and “Biggest Loser” star Bernie Salazar. Denise Austin led the group through each test element. I thank our partner IHRSA for assisting in coordinating and supporting the event. Over the past few years we’ve heard from people like you who indicated they wanted to test their fitness level just as they did in elementary school. For many baby boomers, there’s a bit of a nostalgia factor to this test. Over 75,000 people signed up in the first week following the launch! Thanks to the work of our Science Board and Council members, we have a test that we feel is the best representation of adult standards available to date.  I hope you’ll visit www.adultfitnesstest.org and check it out!

I have had the privilege of serving on the federal steering committee for the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans with Admiral Penny Royall, Captain Rick Troiano, Dr. Bill Kohl, and Dr. Janet Fulton. The writing team has been led by Dr. David Buchner.  This is an extraordinary time for our field.  The 600+ page report of the Federal Advisory Committee can be found at www.health.gov/paguidelines.  The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, which is a summation of the committee’s report will be released this October. Over 900 public comments were reviewed. The PCPFS staff has been working as part of the communications team and writing group, as well as heading up the partnership activities. Consumer materials and a partnership toolkit will be available to supporters (individuals, organizations, associations, etc.) who commit to disseminating the Guidelines to constituents. Thanks to Kay Loughrey in the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion for her leadership on the communications team. As we near the launch date, more information will be posted on the PA Guidelines website.  We are very grateful to Penny Royall, leader of the Secretary’s Prevention Initiative, for spearheading this two-year process.

Dr. Lillian Greene-Chamberlain is our featured council member.  Dr. Greene-Chamberlain’s life is a fascinating one that reflects on some of the history of track and field and physical education both in the United States and abroad.  Her feature gives you a brief snapshot of some of the amazing things she has accomplished in her life.  I encourage you to check it out. 

At our May council meeting we recognized Dr. Richard Keelor as the PCPFS Lifetime Achievement Award Winner.  We also announced the Community Leadership Award Winners.  At the end of the month, I had the honor of presenting Dr. Russell Pate with the Science Honor Award.  It’s a pleasure to recognize the variety of individuals who have done so much to further the work of the Council and physical activity, fitness, and sports in general.  As we always say, there is much work to be done, but progress is being made because of people like Drs. Pate and Keelor working on a national level, as well as our community leader heroes. Keep up the great work!

Melissa Johnson, M.S.
Executive Director