Latest news with #physicalactivity
Associated Press
4 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Co-Branded The Little Gym and Snapology Franchise Debuts in Virginia, Empowering Kids Through Play and STEAM Learning
Multi-Unit Franchisees Open New Location to Inspire Young Minds and Support Whole-Child Development in the Community DALLAS, June 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Multi-Unit franchisees with Unleashed Brands , the world's leading youth enrichment platform serving 20 million kids every year nationwide, recently debuted a co-branded franchised location of The Little Gym and Snapology in Leesburg, VA. This innovative concept unites two of the industry's most trusted names in enrichment and development in one space, offering families a dynamic, all-in-one destination for STEAM education and physical activity. Long-time franchisees Chad and Tiffany Mussmon opened the 9,000 square-foot business in April. The couple currently own and operate seven The Little Gym franchises across Maryland and Virginia, in addition to running two mobile Snapology territories in the region. 'We love both brands and they meet the needs of parents in two different categories – physical development and STEAM development. We are grateful Unleashed Brands makes it possible to provide our local community with the services of these two amazing brands under one roof,' said Chad Mussmon. 'The co-branded location helps us lower customer acquisition costs and reach more local families. Parents are already thrilled they can bring multiple kids to both Snapology and The Little Gym at the same time and that's what it's all about for us – helping local families.' Through three-dimensional learning including physical activities, cognitive skills and social-emotional growth, The Little Gym core teaching methods create opportunities for children to experience achievement and build self-confidence as young as four months all the way through 12 years. Snapology is the premier option for STEAM programs for children between the ages of 4 through 14 that aim to teach science, technology, engineering, art and math in a playful, no-pressure environment. 'By combining two trusted brands, we're creating a space where kids can grow, learn, and thrive – cognitively, socially, and physically – all under one roof,' said Michael Browning Jr., CEO of Unleashed Brands. 'This co-branded launch by the Mussmons isn't just a new location, it's a meaningful step forward in serving more families and deepening our impact in the communities we're proud to be part of.' A co-branded The Little Gym/Snapology location is currently operating in Flower Mound, TX, with new franchise-owned co-branded locations opening in West Boise, ID and Albuquerque, NM. About Unleashed Brands Unleashed Brands serves families in hundreds of communities nationwide through its portfolio of leading youth enrichment brands: Urban Air Adventure Park, The Little Gym , Sylvan Learning , Snapology , XP League , Class 101 , Premier Martial Arts and Water Wings Swim School . Founded to curate and grow the most innovative and impactful kids' brands, Unleashed Brands supports thousands of small business owners and provides fun and enrichment to millions of families. Its mission is to help every child reach their full potential through fun, engaging, and inspiring experiences. For more information, visit . Media Contact: Sara Faiwell, Fishman Public Relations, [email protected] (847) 945-1300 View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Unleashed Brands
Fox News
5 days ago
- Health
- Fox News
Simple daily activity could reduce risk of lower back pain, study finds
Taking longer walks could actually improve back pain, according to a new study. Researchers in Norway investigated how chronic low back pain, a "prevalent and costly condition," could be reduced by regular physical activity, including accessible walking. The study, published in the journal JAMA Network Open, measured daily walking volume and walking intensity among more than 11,000 participants over the age of 20. The participants then reported any incidences of lower back pain lasting three months or longer in the past year. Walking for more than 100 minutes per day resulted in a 23% lower risk of pain compared to walking less than 78 minutes per day, according to the results. For more Health articles, visit Walking intensity was also associated with chronic lower back pain risk, but to a "lesser degree" than walking volume, researchers noted. "In this cohort study, daily walking volume and walking intensity were inversely associated with the risk of chronic [lower back pain]," the study concluded. "The findings suggest that walking volume may have a more pronounced benefit than walking intensity." "These findings suggest that policies and public health strategies promoting walking could help to reduce the occurrence of chronic [lower back pain]." Dr. Arthur L. Jenkins III, board-certified neurosurgeon and founder of Jenkins NeuroSpine in New York City, confirmed in an interview with Fox News Digital that long walks "are good," as long as other orthopedic issues don't make it difficult to walk. "I always encourage my patients to walk, and to engage their core (squeeze their abs and back) while walking to exercise more than just their legs, and straighten their backs," he advised. Statistics show that more than one-quarter of Americans report experiencing chronic lower back or sciatic pain. Fox News Digital reached out to the study authors for comment.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
School headmaster hails the importance of sport for children
By Laura Howard, Sportsbeat A headmaster from Sunderland emphasised the importance of activity for children after his school launched the Youth Sport Trust's National School Sports Week on Monday. Iain Williamson has embedded a culture of activity at Dame Dorothy Primary School and celebration was in full swing as pupils at the school got involved in a range of sports to kick off the week. Advertisement The Youth Sport Trust's annual campaign promotes the importance of daily physical activity by encouraging schools, families, and communities to engage in 60 minutes of PE, sport, and play and there was no better place to witness its impact than Dame Dorothy where activity is at the core of their ethos. 'We think activity is absolutely imperative. It's what we do all the time. Just because it's the National School Sports Week this week, it doesn't mean that it doesn't happen in other weeks. It should be happening all the time,' said Williamson. 'It's wonderful to see today. We pride ourselves at Dame Dorothy on being a very active school. We wear active uniform, and we have daily activities from breakfast club right the way through the school day. 'Because that's what children should be. Children should be active.' Advertisement The Sunderland primary school were donning their 'Always Active uniform' which removes barriers to participation in activity throughout the school day. It means children feel comfortable to move and do not have to have the discomfort of getting changed with their peers so teachers can utilise activity when they feel it is needed. 'We realised that we wanted our children to be active all the time. We looked at some of the barriers like inappropriate footwear, the uniform didn't lend itself to being active as well,' explained Williamson. 'By 2024, we launched our active uniform, which has reduced the number of children who miss out on PE sessions because you can dress for PE, you can dress for activity and there's no reason why you can't take part. Advertisement 'You can see children are more attentive. It allows teachers to take the children outside, have a quick run around the field for five minutes so they can refocus for the next lesson.' The pupils put their active uniform to good use on Monday as they took part in a day full of activity. There were Girls Active sessions where older pupils delivered coaching and encouragement to the younger years followed by PE sessions using National School Sports Week resources. The children also received a visit and the opportunity for a Q&A with world Thai boxing champion, British boxing champion and Youth Sport Trust Athlete Mentor Rachael Mackenzie. Advertisement It is activity and awareness that is needed more than ever in young people with less than a third of teachers and parents currently aware that children and young people should be active for 60 minutes a day. 'It's never been more important than it is now. In schools we have got to show them that being active is not just good for their physical health but it's really important for their mental health and their well-being too,' added Williamson. 'There is a national obesity crisis. Many of the children, certainly in the city of Sunderland, are what's described as being overweight or obese. That trend is rising, and we need to do something to address that.' National School Sports Week is an annual campaign by the Youth Sport Trust, dedicated to celebrating the power of PE, sport, and play to build brighter futures. This year, powered by Sports Direct x Under Armour, marks the 30th anniversary of the Youth Sport Trust, who is a UK leading children's charity for improving young people's wellbeing through sport and play. Visit
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
National School Sports Week kicks off in style
By Laura Howard Pupils at a primary school in Sunderland showed the impact of an active uniform as the Youth Sport Trust's National School Sports Week kicked off in style in Sunderland on Monday. Dame Dorothy Primary School wore their active uniforms to get involved in a range of activities as they launched the campaign promoting daily physical activity by encouraging schools, families, and communities to engage in 60 minutes of PE, sport, and play. Advertisement The school hosted a Girls Active session where pupils took on leadership roles to coach the younger years in sports including badminton and hockey, while British boxing champion Rachael Mackenzie was also in attendance to deliver a Q&A. 'It's a real joy to be here at Dame Dorothy for the start of National School Sports Week,' she said. 'The opportunities for the children here are absolutely outstanding but what I have loved more than anything is the energy and the enthusiasm of the young people themselves. 'The way that they have taken the model of sport and physical activity and become leaders is brilliant. It's those young people leading themselves that will truly transform the world.' Advertisement In a sport-packed morning pupils also enjoyed PE lessons using National School Sports Week resources and Year Six took a trip off-campus to participate in paddle boarding at the local marina. It represented the perfect start to a week aimed at raising awareness of the importance of activity for children across the country. The demand for such a campaign is greater than ever as research has shown that less than a third of teachers and parents are currently aware that children and young people should be active for 60 minutes a day. It means that fewer than half (47%) of children are meeting the Chief Medical Officers' guidelines of reaching that target goal of activity a day. Advertisement 'It's so important that when children are at school, they're encouraged to be always active, not just in physical education, not just in after school sport, but at break times, in between lessons,' said Youth Sport Trust CEO Ali Oliver MBE. 'One of the things we see here at Dame Dorothy Primary School is that the children come out every day and they do some laps of the playground at a time when the classroom teacher thinks they are getting a bit restless, and they need to refocus. 'That is really important, not just for their health and wellbeing, but for their concentration and their engagement in learning.' The Sunderland primary school presented the perfect setting to launch National School Sports Week having adopted an active uniform in 2024. Advertisement The Youth Sport Trust are calling on all schools to adopt an 'Always Active uniform' for National School Sports Week to enable pupils to feel comfier and get active at school. '[The active uniform] has reduced the number of children who miss out on PE sessions because you can dress for activity and there's no reason why you can't take part,' said Dame Dorothy headteacher Iain Williamson. 'You can see children are more attentive. The fact that we have an active uniform allows teachers to take the children outside for a quick run around the field for five minutes to make them refocus for the next lesson. 'Even during PE lessons, where you might spend 10 to 15 minutes, getting changed for PE and getting changed back at the end of the session. The whole session now is just available to be active. Advertisement 'It also sends out the statement that this is what we are an active school. It is part of our identity and we are immensely proud of it. It has been a real success.' Activities will continue throughout the week, culminating on Friday with Sports Star Friday as schools come dressed as their favourite sports star as a celebration of sport, movement, and the athletes that inspire us. '[The Youth Sport Trust] have a wonderful vision, which is a future where every child enjoys the life-changing benefits of PE and sport,' added Oliver. 'The whole campaign is about shining a light on why it's, so important children are active every day, not just for their health and wellbeing, but for their engagement in their learning and their overall happiness.' National School Sports Week is an annual campaign by the Youth Sport Trust, dedicated to celebrating the power of PE, sport, and play to build brighter futures. This year, powered by Sports Direct x Under Armour, marks the 30th anniversary of the Youth Sport Trust, who is a UK leading children's charity for improving young people's wellbeing through sport and play. Visit
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Ali Oliver highlights importance of keeping children active
National School Sports Week is an annual campaign by the Youth Sport Trust, dedicated to celebrating the power of PE, sport, and play to build brighter futures. By Laura Howard Youth Sport Trust CEO Ali Oliver MBE hopes to create awareness of the need for children to be active as she helped to launch National School Sports Week on Monday. Oliver was at Dame Dorothy Primary School in Sunderland for a day packed with sport and activity as they kicked off the campaign which promotes the importance of daily physical activity by encouraging schools, families, and communities to engage in 60 minutes of PE, sport, and play. Advertisement Pupils were involved in a Girls Active session where leaders from the student body taught sessions to younger years and PE classes using National School Sports Week resources. It marked the start of a week dedicated to bringing attention to the need for children to spend 60 minutes active each day. 'National School Sports Week is an opportunity to shine a light on why it's important children are active and get those important messages across about not just physical health, but social wellbeing in the digital age,' said Oliver. 'Playing together physically is really important for the cognitive benefits, because sadly lots of adults will judge physical education on their own experiences. Advertisement 'Today's generation is a much more sedentary generation, and it's really important that the school day compensates for some of the time that young people are more sedentary in the rest of their lives.' The annual campaign highlights and aims to change worrying statistics that indicate children are less active than ever. Research shows that fewer than half (47%) of children are meeting the Chief Medical Officers' guidelines of engaging in an average of 60 minutes or more of sport and physical activity daily. In Sunderland, where the week was launched 25% of children in reception are overweight or obese - and over 40% by Year 6. Advertisement But the Youth Sport Trust are on a mission to change the direction of travel and transform the lives of young people through sport. '[We want] to equip educators and empower young people so together they can create brighter futures through the power of play and sport,' explained Oliver. 'We have a wonderful vision, which is a future where every child enjoys the life-changing benefits of PE and sport. 'We also deliver a number of products and services which schools can use to help them think more creatively, whether it's about how they use their playground, or how they make their maths lessons more active.' National School Sports Week is an annual campaign by the Youth Sport Trust, dedicated to celebrating the power of PE, sport, and play to build brighter futures. This year, powered by Sports Direct x Under Armour, marks the 30th anniversary of the Youth Sport Trust, who is a UK leading children's charity for improving young people's wellbeing through sport and play. Visit
