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A SPECIAL FEATURE OF THE
PRESIDENT´S COUNCIL ON PHYSICAL FITNESS AND SPORTS
The Olympics and Paralympics show
us the wonder and power of the human body, mind, and
spirit harnessed and stretched to their potential.
Watching the best athletes in the world compete for
the gold, we are awed by the beauty of their form, the
displays of strength and endurance, the commitment,
discipline and spirit of these superb athletes.
The Olympics and Paralympics motivate
many people to try a new sport or reclaim one from the
past. In our ongoing effort to motivate all Americans
to become physically active and fit, we challenge you
to banish the self-imposed mental boundaries that limit
you, the harsh inner voice that whispers in your mind's
ear, "No, I could never ski or ice skate or walk
on snowshoes." We want to help you substitute
a new voice, one that proclaims a resounding, "Yes!"
 Winter
sports offer a way to have fun and get fit FAST. Backed
up by the findings of Healthy
People 2010, the federal government's health
goals and objectives for the nation over the next decade,
and by a report released by the U.S. Surgeon General
(Call to Action to Prevent
and Reduce Overweight and Obesity, December 2001),
we now have a growing body of conclusive scientific
evidence proving the health benefits of physical activity.
Scientists and physicians now know
that 30 minutes of moderate physical activity a day
for adults (middle school and older) — 60 minutes for
children — can reduce the risk of premature death from
diseases associated with a sedentary lifestyle.
Over 300,000 people in our country
die each year from preventable conditions related to
physical inactivity and poor eating habits. Physical
activity helps reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular
disease, type 2 diabetes, certain forms of cancer, and
osteoporosis and helps prevent overweight/obesity.
Since sports do expose participants
to risks of injury and can even bring on heart attacks
in some individuals, we ask you to consult some guidelines
that will allow you to enjoy winter sports safely while
promoting your overall health and fitness.
Getting
in Shape for Winter Sports
Safety Tips:
Cold Related Stress and Illness
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