3 schools win NFL PLAY 60 grants to boost student fitness
'At the American Heart Association, our future is all about improving yours,' said American Heart Association Chief Executive Officer Nancy Brown. 'For 18 years, the American Heart Association and the NFL have teamed up to inspire kids to get moving to support their overall wellness by pairing fun with health fundamentals to drive life-long wellness through NFL PLAY 60. In our century of work, the American Heart Association will continue to be laser focused to propel physical and mental health in children.'
Douglas Road Elementary in Lambertville, Mich. on behalf of the Detroit Lions, LaMuth Middle School in Painesville, Ohio on behalf of the Cleveland Browns and Cook-Wissahickon School in Philadelphia on behalf of the Philadelphia Eagles are the three winning schools of the NFL PLAY 60 Exercise Blitz. Held from Jan. 27- 31, the Exercise Blitz invited students to complete a 5-day physical activity video series, featuring special guests from the NFL. Teachers tracked student completion of movement minutes and submitted the tracker for an opportunity to receive a grant. The winning three schools were drawn at random.
Physical activity positively impacts overall mental and physical wellness which is essential to help children reach their full potential [1]. That is why the American Heart Association, a global force changing the future of health for all, offer a suite of resources to parents, teachers and caregivers to add movement to each day. The NFL PLAY 60 Exercise Library features two-to-three minute exercise videos from each of the 32 NFL teams featuring players, NFL Legends, cheerleaders and mascots. The free NFL PLAY 60 app allows users to select their favorite team and control personalized avatars onscreen with their own physical movement. Users can create custom workouts and earn special PLAY points and unlock cool NFL gear for on-screen PLAY 60 avatars.
'Every year, NFL PLAY 60 helps students across the country achieve their daily goal of 60 minutes of play through the innovative and engaging NFL PLAY 60 app,' said NFL Senior Vice President of Social Responsibility Anna Isaacson. 'We look forward to continuing to work with our partners at the American Heart Association to provide students with resources they need to lead healthy lifestyles.'
Rooted in American Heart Association science, the NFL PLAY 60 initiative helps children to develop healthy habits for a better chance of a healthy adulthood. The NFL and the American Heart Association have been teaming up since 2006 to inspire kids through fun and engaging ways to get physically active for at least 60 minutes a day. Reducing sedentary behavior and increasing physical activity are key to immediate and long-term health for children. Information on NFL PLAY 60 resources and additional grant opportunities can be found online at heart.org/NFLPLAY60.
###
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public's health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
About NFL PLAY 60
NFL PLAY 60 is the League's national youth health and wellness platform. In its 18th season, the initiative empowers millions of youth to get physically active for at least 60 minutes a day and provides support for programs and resources so that kids everywhere can lead a healthy lifestyle. Alongside the NFL's 32 NFL clubs and partners, the PLAY 60 movement will continue to serve and motivate the next generation of youth to get active and PLAY 60. For more information, visit NFL.com/PLAY60.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
San Francisco Chronicle
27 minutes ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Léon Marchand, Summer McIntosh and 12-year-old Yu Zidi hope to shine on the final day of the worlds
SINGAPORE (AP) — French star Léon Marchand has broken one world record already in the 200-meter individual medley. He'll try for a second on Sunday in the 400 IM on the closing day of the swimming world championships in Singapore, a record he set two years ago in the worlds in Fukuoka, Japan. That mark is 4 minutes, 02.50 seconds. It would be Marchand's second gold in Singapore, where he's swimming a reduced schedule after winning four individual golds a year ago at the Paris Olympics. He will swim from Lane 1, entering with a relatively slow qualifying time. Summer McIntosh of Canada will be in the women's 400 IM, trying for her fourth gold. Her hope of winning five individual golds in the worlds — only Michael Phelps has done that — was crushed Saturday night when she was beaten by American Katie Ledecky in the 800 free. McIntosh finished third. Chinese 12-year-old Yu Zidi has the No. 3 qualifying time as she shoots for a medal. She picked up a bronze medal in a relay — she swam in a prelim but not the final — but an individual medal would be astounding. As a reminder, she is the same age as most sixth- or seventh-grade students, depending on the school system. The Americans, frustrated throughout the meet with a case of 'acute gastroenteritis' picked up in a training camp in Thailand, surged on Saturday with three golds to bring their gold-medal leading total to eight. Australia has seven. The Americans have several gold-medal chances in Sunday's eight finals. Among them: world-record holder Bobby Finke in the 1,500 free, and the men's and women's 4x100 medley relays. The Americans have the fastest qualifying times in both relays. China, the Paris Olympic champions a year ago in the men's 4x100 medley, failed to qualify. China finished ninth, out of the top eight in a time of 3:32.69 seconds. They swam 3:27.46 to win in Paris. Qin Haiyang and Pan Zhanle — two world-record holders — were on the team that missed out. They were both on the Paris team. __
Fast Company
27 minutes ago
- Fast Company
How to stop stress from hijacking your productivity
BY Listen to this Article More info 0:00 / 8:33 Do you ever have those weeks where you feel you've gotten nothing done? You're staring at your screen, the same paragraph you've read three times still making no sense. Your mind drifts to that looming deadline, the difficult conversation with your manager, leaving before 3 to avoid a horrible commute, or the growing pile of unread emails. Sound familiar? You're not alone. Almost half (43%) of Americans report feeling more anxious than they did the previous year, with workplace pressures playing a significant role in this epidemic of stress. The new brand of stress that 80% of workers report centers around productivity anxiety at work according to a recent study. The very stress that pushes us to work harder is now sabotaging our ability to perform well. Understanding this paradox—and more importantly, knowing how to break free from it—could be the key to reclaiming both your productivity and peace of mind. The Science of Stress: Your Brain Under Siege Not surprisingly, the biggest culprit of productivity anxiety is stress. When stress hits, your body doesn't distinguish between a charging lion and a challenging quarterly review. The same ancient alarm system kicks in, flooding your system with cortisol—the primary stress hormone that can transform from helpful motivator to harmful hijacker. Cortisol levels peak in the early morning as part of the cortisol awakening response, then decrease throughout the day. But chronic workplace stress disrupts this natural rhythm, keeping cortisol elevated when it should be declining. The result? A brain struggling to perform its most essential workplace functions, including just seeing things properly. Research reveals the cognitive toll is severe. One study found that acute increases in corticosteroid levels are associated with cognitive decrements in both attention and memory. Three Ways Stress Sabotages Your Focus 1. The Working Memory Meltdown Your working memory—the mental workspace where you juggle information, solve problems, and make decisions—is particularly vulnerable to stress. Tasks that engage and rely on working memory seem to be particularly sensitive to pressure demands, possibly because working memory requires sustained focus and attention that acute pressure might disrupt. This explains why, under stress, you might forget what you just read or struggle to connect ideas that normally flow effortlessly. 2. The Attention Hijack All theories about choking under pressure involve the reallocation of attention away from the task at hand. Some researchers suggest stress pulls your attention toward the uncomfortable feelings it creates, while others argue it makes you hyperaware of your own performance, paradoxically impairing it. Either way, your focus fractures. 3. The Productivity Anxiety Spiral Since modern workplaces have birthed this new phenomenon of 'productivity anxiety, ' there has been a significant uptick in employees reporting a feeling that there is always more they should be doing, even if not humanly possible. This creates a vicious cycle where stress about productivity further impairs your ability to be productive, leading to more stress. Stress has a way of taking up your time by making you continuously worry about something that may or may not happen. Perhaps this scenario is best illustrated by my client Tim. Tim manages a large and critical function at an aerospace firm. With 16 direct reports, hundreds more in his organization, and a cadre of contractors, Tim is still the go-to for any technical questions or emergencies that arise. It wasn't until recently that I reminded Tim that a healthy number of direct reports for most leaders is no more than five, with far less technical work, and under far less work intensification that he perked up, realizing much of the problem he is managing is due to poor organizational design. 3 Evidence-Based Strategies to Reclaim Your Focus 1. Take a Walk Outside The research is compelling: stepping outside for a walk is one of the most accessible and effective tools for combating workplace stress and restoring focus. Studies show that spending at least 20 to 30 minutes immersed in a natural setting is associated with the biggest drop in cortisol levels. Even more impressive, compared to urban walks, nature walks resulted in decreased anxiety, rumination, and negative affect, as well as increased working memory performance. Walks either with or without music have mental health benefits. How to implement: Schedule a 20-minute walk outside during your workday, ideally in a green space. Can't access nature? Even urban walks help. The beauty is you don't need to power walk—or even walk; both walking and sitting outdoors improve cognitive performance, with elevated levels of relaxation during the intervention being the best predictor of improved performance. 2. Practice Strategic Stress Recovery Individuals who have a higher frustration tolerance, the ability to moderate their responses to stress in the moment, have the capacity to think clearly and effectively work through problems longer and engage in productive decision making. Having an awareness of being triggered by observing physical shifts like heart rate changes, or a sudden burning chest sensation when stress hits, is critical data. Once aware, intentional choices can be made that mitigate reactionary stress behaviors: stepping away from a tough problem temporarily or engaging in deep breathing for a few minutes are both research backed ways of mitigating stress in the moment. Those able to do so expand their frustration tolerance, build the capacity to moderate other stress reactions with confidence, and experience less negative long-term effects from their stress. How to implement: Build recovery periods into your workday, which will start to create muscle memory. When a problem becomes particularly intense, take note to feel in your body where the pressure mounts. Common areas of feeling bodily stress are chest, temples on either side of your head, neck, or stomach. Being attuned to this is critical. Once you're aware of stress building in your body, step away from the problem at hand, and take a break such as a five-minute walk, practice deep breathing, or engage in light stretching. After any intensive work or problem-solving sessions, these micro-recoveries help reset your stress response system. 3. Restructure Your Work Environment for Focus People who are stressed have difficulty focusing and find themselves getting caught in modes of thinking that perpetuate stress, such as worry and rumination. Combat this by creating environmental cues that support focus. Also an organized workspace has positive effects on distractions and ability to focus. How to implement: Establish clear boundaries between high-focus work and administrative tasks. Use time-blocking to protect your most cognitively demanding work for times when your cortisol is naturally lower (typically midmorning after cortisol has subsided). Create a 'focus ritual'—a consistent set of actions that signal to your brain it's time for deep work. Once or twice a week, block time on your calendar to clear your space of clutter, take out the trash, process any snail mail that comes in, and regularly delete files and screenshots no longer needed that sit on your screen. Such peripheral clutter cleaning makes clearer thinking possible, and it makes those things you need to find easier to find. Small steps with big impacts Job stress costs U.S. employers more than $300 billion annually due to absenteeism, turnover, decreased productivity—but the human cost is even greater. The good news? You don't have to accept chronic stress as an inevitable part of modern work life. Start small. Choose one strategy and commit to it for two weeks. Notice not just how you feel, but how you think—how ideas flow, how problems untangle, how focus sharpens. Because when you master the art of managing stress, you don't just survive the workday; you unlock your brain's full potential to create, innovate, and excel. Your focused, calm, and productive self is waiting. It's time to clear away the stress and let that person shine through. The early-rate deadline for Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies Awards is Friday, September 5, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply today. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Samantha Wasserman, PCC, MA is the president and principal consultant of Growth Curve Consulting, an executive development and human capital consultancy offering a deeply committed, thorough set of services to help leaders and their teams through growth and change. Sam specializes in succession and the effective transition of leaders into more advanced, highly complex roles that create a greater impact on both business and society More
Time Business News
an hour ago
- Time Business News
Spring Forward, Fatal Consequences: Daylight Savings Time & Traffic Accidents
Each spring, millions of Americans adjust their clocks for Daylight Saving Time (DST), losing a seemingly minor hour of sleep. But research from the Texas Law Dog reveals that this transition may be more than an annual inconvenience, it's linked to a measurable increase in fatal traffic accidents and public health risks. How a Single Hour Disrupts Road Safety While most states participate in DST, the springtime shift creates a ripple effect that impacts driver performance. According to data evaluated by the Texas Law Dog, traffic accident rates rise significantly after clocks move forward. One study reviewed in their research noted a six percent increase in fatal car crashes during the week following the spring transition. This uptick is particularly pronounced in morning hours, when drivers are adapting to darker commutes and disrupted sleep cycles. Western regions of time zones face even steeper consequences, with an eight percent spike in crash fatalities compared to eastern areas. These patterns suggest that local sunrise and sunset times play a key role in safety, especially when they misalign with human biological rhythms. Sleep Loss, Circadian Disruption, and Fatal Consequences The root cause of these springtime dangers lies in sleep deprivation and circadian misalignment. Losing an hour of rest affects alertness, reaction times, and decision-making—critical faculties for drivers navigating early-morning traffic. This misalignment can last several days, making the first week of DST particularly hazardous. Data compiled from national transportation and public health sources also links DST to a 24 percent increase in heart attacks and a surge in insurance claims. These medical emergencies and economic setbacks further underscore the broad consequences of the time change, extending beyond the roadway to hospitals and households. Pedestrian Safety and Visibility Challenges The risks aren't limited to those behind the wheel. Pedestrians face heightened danger during evening hours when reduced daylight intersects with peak walking times. Studies referenced in the Texas Law Dog's analysis found a 68 percent increase in evening pedestrian fatalities during DST, largely due to diminished visibility and shared fatigue. In many cases, these accidents result in extensive medical and liability insurance claims. The cumulative impact can stress insurance systems and create financial burdens for families and communities. Why the Fall Transition Is Different Unlike spring, the return to Standard Time in autumn does not produce a similar rise in fatal crashes. This distinction adds weight to calls for reform. As states like Texas, Florida, and California propose legislation to abolish DST or permanently adopt Standard Time, legal and public safety experts argue that aligning timekeeping with natural sleep patterns could lead to fewer fatalities and improved public health outcomes. Texas Law Dog's findings support the view that maintaining a consistent time structure year-round may help save lives. If the spring transition were removed, estimates suggest up to 28 preventable fatalities could be avoided annually. Over a 20-year period, more than 600 deaths have been tied to DST-related fatigue. Looking Ahead: A Case for Change The evidence paints a clear picture. A single hour lost to DST translates into higher crash rates, elevated medical emergencies, and substantial insurance strain. These risks are concentrated in the days immediately following the spring change and disproportionately affect regions on the western edge of time zones. Texas Law Dog advocates for closer scrutiny of timekeeping policies and encourages lawmakers to consider reforms that prioritize safety. Rethinking the springtime shift could help reduce preventable accidents and create a more biologically aligned and safer commuting environment. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
