STRATEGIC ALLIANCE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PLATFORM

August 2004

The Strategic Alliance Physical Activity Advisory Committee has developed the following recommendations to promote healthy activity throughout the state:

1. Support mandatory physical education and health education programs in California schools based on the California Framework for Physical Education and Framework for Comprehensive School Health. California's Physical Fitness test should become part of standardized testing.

2. Provide a diversity of developmentally appropriate physical activity opportunities at locations and times that are accessible to and affordable for children (including preschool, after school and day care) and adults (including worksites). Ensure that programs are in neighborhood and community settings.

3. Complete the streets to provide safe, convenient opportunities for walking and biking in every neighborhood including on-street bike lanes, traffic calming infrastructure and sidewalks to create realistic transportation alternatives for all road users.

4. Ensure that public parks, trails, and recreation areas are fully accessible, affordable and well-maintained. Fully fund California's Departments of Parks and Recreation.

5. Involve local elected officials in developing (new) and revitalizing (existing) communities that are designed to encourage opportunities for daily activity. Incorporate principles of active living into master plans.

6. Improve opportunities for physical activity at the workplace by providing time for activity, installing equipment like showers, lockers and bike racks and offering wellness programs and activity breaks for meetings that are longer than one hour. Employers can also encourage an activity-friendly workplace by encouraging activity during legally required breaks and allowing employees to wear casual clothing.

Strategic Alliance Physical Activity Advisory Committee

• City of Berkeley Department of Public Health
• California Adolescent Nutrition and Fitness Program
• California Association for Health Physical Education, Recreation and Dance
• California Center for Physical Activity (CA Department of Health Services)
• California Obesity Prevention Initiative (CA Department of Health Services)
• California Center for Public Health Advocacy
• California Park and Recreation Society
• Fresno University of California Cooperative Extension
• Local Government Commission
• Monterey County Public Health Department
• ODYSSEY
• Prevention Institute
• Project Active Living in Santa Ana
• YMCA of Orange County
• YMCA of the East Bay

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