You At Your Best

courtesy american Heart association Whether you're taking a leisurely stroll through your neighborhood or a power- walk in the park, the American Heart Association says taking part in physical activity is one of the best ways to manage stress, reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke and boost your mood. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, about 22% of adults in Northwest Arkansas admit they're not active in their off time. That behavior is a key determinant of future health, such as obesity and cardiovascular health, said Brady Lacy, community impact director for the AHA in Arkansas. That percentage is on trend with national numbers, Lacy said. Locally, one can get a prescription for physical activity. In the fall of 2021, Community Clinic NWA launched Healthy Hearts NWA-Lifestyle Rx across eight of its school-based health centers and recently expanded enrollment at two of its main health centers. Brady said patients who screen positive for physical inactivity are prescribed a physical activity referral to the Jones Center in Springdale and are provided a punch card in English or Spanish for 10 free visits to the center. The membership includes access to all the center's amenities: fitness center, swimming pool, group exercise classes, basketball courts, track, and ice rink. Having a measure of activity, such as that gained by the growing popularity of fitness applications, electronic wearables and step counters, have made counting steps and motion an easy way to count health benefits, as noted through a growing body of scientific research. A study presented at the AHA's Epidemiology, Prevention, Lifestyle & Cardiometabolic Health Conference 2021 (EPI), found that: • Study participants who took more steps in short spurts lived longer, regardless of how many steps they had in longer, uninterrupted bouts. The benefits leveled off at about 4,500 steps a day in short spurts. • Compared to no daily steps, each initial increase of 1,000 steps a day was associated with a 28% decrease in death during the follow-up period. • A 32% decrease in death was noted in participants who took more than 2,000 steps daily in uninterrupted bouts. Middle-aged people who walked the most steps-per-day had a 43% lower risk of diabetes and a 31% lower risk of high blood pressure, compared to those with the fewest steps, according to research presented at the Association's 2020 EPI Conference. For women in the study, each 1,000-step interval resulted in a 13% lower risk of obesity, and those with the highest Walk tHis Way – or any way – to better HealtH The American Heart Association cites research showing the health benefits of regular walking and the importance of safe walking spaces in communities Brady lacy 4 | you at your Best | youatyourBest.nwaonline.com July - Fit X: eXercise & Fitness | sunDay, June 26, 2022

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