Governor's Council on Physical Fitness & Sports

3rd Asthma Awareness Walk and
Go for the Gold Track & Field Games

BRONZE MEDALIST

The following rationale for consideration was submitted for this Spotlight Award:

Known for a high asthma hospitalization rate, Imperial County has long had an asthma and physical education awareness issue, as asthma is one of the most common illnesses in the county. With Asthmatic school-aged children in Imperial County avoiding physical activity for fear of asthma flare-ups, approximately 50% of the asthmatic youth population is obese. The main contributing factors for this epidemic are the lack of a physical education program in local schools and the lack of asthma management programs teaching these families the importance of good asthma control.

To bring awareness about the need for asthma programs and to highlight the importance of physical activity, the Imperial Valley Child Asthma Program (IVCAP) in collaboration with El Centro School District and El Centro Parks and Recreation employed innovation by teaming up to launch the 3rdAnnual Asthma Awareness Walk featuring “Go for the Gold” track and field games to significantly impact physical activity levels and the well being of school-aged children from grades K-8. The initiative also promoted the slogan, “Healthy Lungs-Healthy Communities”. Eleven schools participated and more than 200 students registered for the games.

The objective of the event was to engage school-aged children (particularly asthma sufferers) to find appropriate fitness levels that they could tolerate. Also stressed was the importance of maintaining physical activity levels to help gain control of asthma as well as, to stress to other participants the benefits of maintaining a healthy weight and strong lungs. The event was held on March 19, 2011. It started with the Awareness Walk followed by the 50, 100 and 200 meter dash, 4x100 meter relay, 800 meter run, long-jump and softball throws. Each participant was recognized with ribbons and medals to mark their achievement. Leading school teams received 1st and 2nd place trophies.

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SILVER MEDALIST The following rationale for consideration was submitted for this Spotlight Award: Fitness 4 Life (F4L) hosts an annual triathlon that not only provides an incentive for students to train for the event itself throughout the school year, but that also provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate the skills they’ve learned. Over 500 students took part in the program’s two-day triathlon this year on May 18 & ... Read More »

Award Winners by Year: 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011

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