About Fitness at NASA
NASA's Occupational Health Program advocates all employees' participation in physical fitness and other health/wellness activities. In addition to health benefits reported by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), regular exercise and a well-balanced diet may help to reduce absences due to illness, increase productivity, and enhance individuals' quality of life and mental health.
Studies conducted by the CDC and the ACSM have shown that adults should accumulate 30 minutes or more of moderate-intensity physical activity on most, preferably all, days of the week. Physical activity results in protective effects and reduction of risk for several chronic diseases, including coronary heart disease, hypertension, non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis, colon cancer, and anxiety and depression. A midlife increase in physical activity is associated with a decreased risk of mortality - an estimated 250 000 deaths per year in the United States (about 12% of the total) are attributable to a lack of regular physical activity.
News
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Date / Time | Topic | Presenter | Presentation |
---|---|---|---|
Thursday - January 17 at 1:30pm ET | New Year, New You - Nutrition Habits that Work | Glenda Blaskey | |
Thursday - February 14 at 1:30pm ET | Develop Your Own Fitness Program | Larry Wier | |
Thursday - March 14 at 1:30pm ET | Optimism, Don’t Worry, Be happy! | Takis Bogdanos | |
Thursday - April 18 at 1:30pm ET | Understanding Food Labeling and Processing | Glenda Blaskey | |
Thursday - May 15 at 1:30pm ET | Aerobic Power, the Lead Component of Physical Fitness | Larry Wier | |
Thursday - June 13 at 1:30pm ET | Is it a Diet or an Eating Disorder? | Takis Bogdanos | |
Thursday - July 18 at 1:30pm ET | Cancer and Physical Fitness | Larry Wier | |
Thursday - August 15 at 1:30pm ET | Work/life Balance | Anika Isaac | |
Thursday - September 12 at 1:30pm ET | The Dietitian's Guide to Healthy Grocery Shopping | Glenda Blaskey | |
Thursday - October 17 at 1:30pm ET | Smoking and Physical Fitness | Larry Wier | |
Thursday - November 14 at 1:30pm ET | Diabetes: How Good Nutrition Can Help | Glenda Blaskey | |
Thursday - December 12 at 1:30pm ET | Multigenerational Differences at Work | Anika Isaac |
Upcoming ViTS For Coordinators & Points of Contact
- Wednesday May 01, 2013 at 1:00pm ET
- Wednesday July 31, 2013 at 1:00pm ET
- Wednesday November 06, 2013 at 1:00pm ET
Become a Member of your Fitness Center!
- List All Fitness Center Facility Managers
- Using Fitness Facilities at Other Centers While on Travel
- See Photos of Various NASA Fitness Centers
Most NASA Centers and component facilities have onsite fitness centers. Some NASA Centers also feature running/walking trails, basketball courts, tennis courts, and group exercise classes. Employees should take advantage of these benefits.
For information on how to become a member, obtain a schedule of group classes, or to tour the facilities, visit or contact your Fitness Center.
You can begin the process by completing the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q).
Using Onsite Fitness Facilities at Other Centers While on Travel
- Contact the primary NASA Center fitness facility point of contact (by phone or e-mail) to find out what is required for clearance to access the facility.
- Ask your Center's primary fitness facility point of contact to fax your clearance information to the destination Center. A completed (and current) PAR-Q and blood pressure check comprise the minimum clearance required by NASA for an employee to use a fitness facility.
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Inquire about
- hours of operation
- location (ask to be sent a map or directions)
- types of equipment and facilities available
- whether a fee is required
- whether the buddy system applies
- a schedule of group exercise classes
- the availability of a publicly accessible website so that information about the fitness center can be reviewed beforehand
- Contact the NASA Fitness Program Coordinator if you experience any problems, need assistance, or have any questions Janine Hardin at 321-867-2423, janine.e.hardin@nasa.gov ).
Fitness Center Facility Managers
Center | Contact |
---|---|
ARC | Victor Gomez 650-604-5804 victor.m.gomez@nasa.gov |
ARC | David King 650-604-1316 david.b.king@nasa.gov |
GSFC | Michael Ochranek 301-286-8404 michael.j.ochranek@nasa.gov |
HQ/OIG | Tanya Johnson 202-358-0138 tanya.johnson-1@nasa.gov |
JSC | Jessica Vos 281-244-1383 jessica.r.vos@nasa.gov Other Website |
KSC | Jessica Sapp 321-867-3414 jessica.l.sapp@nasa.gov |
LRC | Kelly Cox 757 864 2291 kelly.m.cox@nasa.gov |
MSFC | Bill Mayo 256-544-7564 john.w.mayo@nasa.gov |
SSC | William Scott Burks 228-688-3950 william.s.burks@nasa.gov |
WSTF | Chris Bois 575-525-7505 Christopher.bois@nasa.gov |
NOTE: Some websites might have restricted access |
Resources and Tools
- Aerobics and Fitness Association of America
- American College of Sports Medicine
- American Council on Exercise
- American Running Association
- CDC.s Benefits of Physical Activity
- CDC Health Statistics
- Cooper Institute (Health, Fitness, Nutrition)
- Dietary Guidelines for Americans
- Exercise for Older Adults
- Food and Nutrition
- Harvard Public School of Health Nutrition Source
- Healthfinder Get Active
- Musculoskeletal exercises and guidance
- NIH Medline Plus Sports and Fitness
- National Center on Physical Activity and Disability
- National Center on Physical Activity and Disability - 14 Week Program
- NIH Go4Life Exercise and Physical Activity Website
- National Physical Activity Plan
- National Strength and Conditioning Association
- Physical Activity Guidelines