American Heart Association and NFL Team Up to Boost Student Health and Performance

As students return to school, the American Heart Association (AHA) and the National Football League (NFL) are joining forces to promote physical activity and improve student health and academic performance. The initiative, part of the NFL PLAY 60 program, aims to help children engage in at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity each day, in line with recommendations from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Research has shown that physically active children perform better in the classroom, demonstrating improved focus, clearer thinking, and better behavior. Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association, emphasized the importance of this collaboration, stating, "Engaging children in 60 minutes of physical activity alongside the NFL with the longstanding NFL PLAY 60 programming is one way we are working to advance health and hope for everyone."

The program offers several resources to help students meet their daily activity goals. One key component is a series of NFL PLAY 60 Fitness Break broadcasts. The first broadcast, scheduled for September 19, will focus on the theme "Move More for Whole Health" and feature participation from NFL teams including the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles, and Green Bay Packers. A second broadcast is planned for February 6, just before Super Bowl LIX.

In addition to the broadcasts, the initiative introduces a new Daily Movement Moment Challenge for October. This challenge utilizes the NFL PLAY 60 app, available for free on iOS and Android devices. The app provides daily 15-minute exercise routines guided by an NFL PLAY 60 avatar. Teachers can track their classroom's participation, with the chance to win a $1,000 NFL PLAY 60 grant for physical activity equipment.

To further support students in meeting their activity goals, the program offers the NFL PLAY 60 Exercise Library. This resource features short, on-demand exercise videos from all 32 NFL teams, showcasing players, NFL Legends, cheerleaders, and mascots.

Anna Isaacson, NFL Senior Vice President of Social Responsibility, highlighted the program's significance: "Now heading into its 18th season, PLAY 60 has emerged as a national model to promote youth health and well-being. The NFL is committed to building on our efforts to ensure children across the country have access to the resources they need to live healthy lifestyles."

The collaboration between the AHA and NFL, which began in 2006, continues to evolve and adapt to meet the needs of today's youth. By combining the appeal of professional football with evidence-based health recommendations, the program aims to make physical activity engaging and accessible for students across the country.

As the new school year begins, educators and parents are encouraged to take advantage of these resources to help students develop healthy habits that can lead to improved academic performance and long-term health benefits. Information on NFL PLAY 60 resources and available grant opportunities can be found at heart.org/NFLPLAY60.