Sports Icons Come Together to Encourage More Movement in Schools

San Diego Padres kick off 2011 season by hosting hundreds of teachers and students at PETCO Park for physical activity showcase

SAN DIEGO, March 31, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Let's Move in School, a national initiative to increase physical activity before, during and after school was the cause for a celebration of moving, hosted by the San Diego Padres and led by Drew Brees, Annika Sorenstam, Tracy Austin and Carl Lewis, with hundreds of local students and adults at PETCO Park today. In support of First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! campaign, the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) has brought together leading education, health and sports organizations to advance school-based physical activity.

Let's Move in School Showcase

The Let's Move in School Showcase modeled what schools can do to increase physical activity before, during and after school. The celebration started with a physical education showcase, featuring San Diego County schools demonstrating quality physical education including activities such as a flash mob dance routine, tennis, cultural dances and power circuits.

Following the physical education showcase, sports stars took the stage to model how schools can make physical activity part of the learning environment. Drew Brees, 2009 Super Bowl MVP led group morning announcements, followed by Tracy Austin, former World Number One female professional tennis player, with supporting remarks for quality physical education. Annika Sorenstam was unable to attend, celebrating the birth of her son; however her Foundation was represented in providing words of support. The Pad Squad and Swinging Friar joined Dr. Toni Yancey, author of Instant Recess, in leading an Instant Recess baseball activity as an example of classroom routines that improve attention and behavior. Carl Lewis, the only US Track and Field athlete to win nine Olympic gold medals, closed the event by leading an after school game to build running, jumping and throwing skills.

Getting Started

Schools can get started by planning a Let's Move in School celebration during National Physical Education and Sport Week, May 1-7, 2011. More than 1 million students are already signed-up to take part. To register a school celebration, find out more about the initiative, and access promotional videos, tools and more visit www.LetsMoveInSchool.org.

Let's Move in School is supported by the following corporate partners, committed to improving physical activity among youth: The Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation, American Beverage Association, HERSHEY'S Track and Field Games, ING, Skillastics, Dance, Dance, Revolution, GenMove, HOPSports, PlayCore, Playworld Systems, Spark, Speed Stacks, and the United States Tennis Association.

American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD)

AAHPERD, an alliance of five national associations, six district associations, and a Research Consortium, provides its members with a comprehensive and coordinated array of resources, support, and programs to help practitioners improve their skills to further the health and well-being of the American public. It is the largest organization of professionals involved in physical education, recreation, fitness, dance, health promotion and all specialties related to achieving an active, healthy lifestyle. AAHPERD serves 20,000 members and has its headquarters in Reston, Virginia, 25 miles west of Washington DC. For more information, visit www.aahperd.org.

SOURCE American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD)