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[April 20, 2021] Myzone and the Physical Activity Alliance have launched a Congressional Physical Activity Challenge to highlight the importance of making movement more fun, accessible and inclusive across the USA and on a global scale.
Coinciding with National Physical Fitness and Sports Month in May, the competition is open to all members of Congress, their DC Congressional staff and interns. Each participant will use an MZ-Switch heart rate monitor during the challenge, with winners awarded based on individual achievement, office achievement and most office staff participants able to reach the World Health Organization guidelines for physical activity.
“The Myzone team is proud that the MZ-Switch will be used as the wearable for this challenge in partnership with the PAA,” explains Mike Leveque, Myzone CEO for the Americas.
“At a time when physical activity has never been more important for the health and fitness of the nation, congressional support for this initiative and legislation such as the Gym Mitigation and Survival (GYMS) Act goes to further show how positive change can impact the wellbeing of millions of citizens, regardless of political divide.”
The Congressional challenge will take place from April 26 to May 26. Each participant will earn MEPs (Myzone Effort Points) while wearing the MZ-Switch for physical activity. The World Health Organization's guidelines for physical activity are at least 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity or at least 75-150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity per week. Alternatively, individuals should undertake an equivalent combination of moderate and vigorous intensity activity throughout the week. This equates to 1300 MEPs per month.
“Being physically active is one of the most important lifestyle behaviors we can engage in, to maintain our physical and mental health,” explains Congressman Ron Kind. “It’s been said that one of the best antidepressants ever invented is good old-fashioned sweat. Even during a global pandemic, it is critical that we work to encourage physical activity as we recover from the COVID virus.”
Supporting the campaign and looking to the future, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick states: “The PAA is dedicated to promoting physical activity for our health, and I proudly stand beside them in our mission to encourage and raise awareness of the importance of physical activity.
“Physical activity produces numerous benefits that directly contribute to a healthy, happy, and more positive life. I look forward to continuing our efforts to promote, educate, and inspire others to engage in physical activity to bring about positive changes and improvements in our physical and mental health.”
The challenge was announced at a recent Physical Activity Congressional Briefing, where the PAA introduced its priorities and discussed the importance of federal efforts to increase physical activity in the United States.
“Physical activity is vital for the population’s health and wellbeing, and has a far-reaching impact on educational achievement, effective health care delivery, emergency preparedness, and military readiness,” says PAA President, Monte Ward.
“By helping more Americans to be physically active, we will not only save lives and protect citizens from diseases, we can also reduce health disparities and help to make the US a more productive and successful nation.”