U.S Surgeon General's Healthy People Goals

Thenumber one priority of the US government's new Healthy People 2010 campaign is to increase physical activity.The message that exercise is crucial fpr health and general well-being is reaching an ever widening audience.

The statistics are startling and disturbing: 4.7 million children aged 6-7 were overweight in 1991, up 15% in just ten years; 98% of 7-12year olds have at least one risk factor (high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, excess body fat) for heart disease. Fewer that one in four children get 30 minutes of any type of physical activity - moderate or vigorous - every day.

"Numerous studies confirm that physically active students perform notably better on exams than less active children" states Dr. Carla Hunnaford in her acclaimed book Smart Moves. "It is essentila to the learning process to allow children to explore every aspect of movement and balance." Physical activity carries so many ancillary benefits - a reduction in the risk of illness and injury, and the promotion of academic performance, leadership and positive behaviour - exercise is critical.

"Baby boomers (now aged 36 to 54) and even older adults...turn to exercisenot for its own sake but for how it helps them function. They want to continue performing well in their sports, for example, or enjoy adventure travel, play with their grandchildren or be more effective at work., "said Gregg Hartley, vice president of SGMA. "An advertising slogan from Schwinn out it this way; "Keep up with your kids. and their kids." [Viva Trampolines Note: Balance, co-ordination, spatial awareness, reaction speed, and agility degenerates with lack of use, especially in adults, and yet they are essential for athletic performance and even simple day to day tasks. Standard "2-dimentional" exercise equipement does not effectively maintain and improve these these building blocks of athletisism , but the "3-dimentional fitness space" provided by Viva Trampolines range of trampolines does...and its fun for the whole family!]