Winners of the 2007 Arkansas Fitness Challenge Receive Awards for Top Performance in Contest
June 28, 2007
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Damona Fisher
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LITTLE ROCK - With the Wellness Walkway and Medical Mile (new symbols of the state's support of a fitness culture) in the background, two hospitals, one state and one federal agency, and two senior adult groups took home gold-medal awards today as winners of the 2007 Arkansas Fitness Challenge during ceremonies held at the River Market pavilion in downtown Little Rock.
This is the fourth year for the Arkansas Fitness Challenge, an employee exercise contest held annually March 1 through May 31. In addition to the Challenge hosts, Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Arkansas Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), 53 other companies, organizations and state agencies statewide joined in the competition and were recognized at the awards ceremonies (a complete list of companies/groups is attached).
The Arkansas Fitness Challenge was started in 2004 by Arkansas Blue Cross and the former Arkansas Department of Health to encourage employees to work toward the public health recommendation of adult physical activity 30 minutes each day, most days of the week. During the contest participants engage in eligible cardiovascular-oriented exercises to work their way through 30 virtual checkpoints in Arkansas – from Bentonville to West Memphis. The winning groups (arranged by group size) were determined by the greatest participation and highest score earned in four categories of measurement.
"More than 7,100 people representing large and small companies, banks, schools and universities, physician offices, churches, hospitals and state agencies participated in the Challenge this year," said Sharon Allen, president and chief operating officer of Arkansas Blue Cross. "Those 7,100 individuals logged 299,787 checkpoints. To log a checkpoint, participants exercised at least 30 minutes, which translates – at a minimum – to 149,893.5 hours of exercise during the contest!"
Winners of the 2007 Arkansas Fitness Challenge are:
Small Group Category (10-49 participants)
- Arkansas Diamonds — Hot Springs Village
Medium Group Category (50-249 participants) — tie
- Arkansas Plant Board — Little Rock
- TSA (Transportation Security Administration) — Little Rock
Large Group Category (250-999 participants) — tie
- Arkansas Methodist Medical Center — Paragould
- Lawrence Health Services — Walnut Ridge
Extra Large Group Category (1,000+ participants)
Eastern Arkansas Senior Centers — Eastern Regional Counties
"The first three years of the Challenge yielded great results for the participants involved," said John Selig, director of DHHS. "This year was no exception and with the online survey offered through the contest Web site, we have even more comprehensive data. A total of 1,455 contest participants completed the evaluation – a statistically significant sample – and reported improved fitness levels. Almost 81 percent of respondents said they reached their personal goals through the Challenge."
Of the respondents, 23.6 percent said they reached their own personal goal to "begin exercising;" 50.5 percent of respondents said they reached their goal to "increase exercising;" and 33.1 percent to "lose weight."
The following percentage of survey respondents indicated their levels of exercise below:
Beginning of Contest End of Contest
20.6 percent exercised 0 days per week 1 percent exercised 0 days per week
25.9 percent exercised 1 day per week 3.6 percent exercised 1 day per week
32.6 percent exercised 3 days per week 38.9 percent exercised 3 days per week
14.6 percent exercised 5 days per week 35.1 percent exercised 5 days per week
6.3 percent exercised every day 21.4 percent exercised every day
Respondents also indicated they had lowered their systolic and diastolic (71 respondents) blood pressure, cholesterol levels (50 respondents), weight (285 respondents), and blood sugar (28 respondents) during the contest. Ninety-nine percent said they will participate in future programs like the Arkansas Fitness Challenge.
"According to the 2006 BRFSS data, in the adult population in Arkansas, 63.8 percent report being overweight or obese – 28.7 percent say they never get any exercise," said Paul Halverson, Dr.PH, Director of Health at DHHS. "We are seeing tremendous increases in type 2 diabetes in children. This is diabetes caused by being overweight, and we normally don't see this disease in our kids. The costs in treating diseases that result from these health risks, like heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes — preventable diseases — is skyrocketing. And yet, 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise five or more days a week can reduce so many of these risks. Programs like the Arkansas Fitness Challenge make positive steps toward turning the trend."
"We believe programs like the Arkansas Fitness Challenge are a fun, motivational way to help people begin to change their lifestyles and, ultimately, improve their health and fitness," said Selig. "We didn't get in poor health overnight and we don't presume that things will be 'fixed' in a few months, but the participants in these groups here today are making a start. We have seen great results among these participants in three months. Think what they will accomplish in a year. This is awesome. It's what we hoped for. It's what we need to help Arkansans enjoy a healthier life."
During the Arkansas Fitness Challenge, participants were encouraged to exercise with consistent or increasing frequency during the three-month period. Participants advanced (virtually) on the Arkansas route by satisfying one daily exercise requirement from a list of eligible exercises (cardiovascular-focused) including walking/jogging/running, swimming/water aerobics, bicycling, court sports, aerobic dance or aerobic machines.
To stay on track and successfully complete the program in three months, participants were required to advance one checkpoint at least three times per week for 10 weeks. The more participants exercised, the more times they crossed the state.
Four measures determined the winners of the Challenge: 1 – Goal Participation (percentage of participants meeting/exceeding 30 checkpoint; 35 points); 2 – Exercise Frequency (average number of checkpoints per participant; 35 points); 3 – Overall Participation (percent of eligible population participating; 20 points); and 4 – Persistency Rate (lowest rate of nonstarters; 10 points). The highest scoring group on a single item earned the points assigned to that measure and was the "winner" of that measure. The group earning the most cumulative points was declared the overall winner (in each group size category).
"Participants told us that the Challenge inspired them to quit smoking, eat better, lose weight, get the family involved, even participate in activities they never dreamed they could," Allen said. "Our desire is to meet people right where they are and get them started down the road to better health, better self-esteem and a better life. You don't have to be a fitness fanatic; we just want to make some movement – literally and figuratively – toward better health. We also want to encourage other groups, companies and organizations around the state to organize their own fitness challenges and keep this healthy movement ... moving.
"Good habits that last a lifetime can lead to better health, and that is one of the greatest measures of success we can enjoy. Truthfully, we have more than 7,100 winners in this year's contest."
To receive a free copy of the "Employee Fitness Contest Kit" in notebook and/or CD format, call toll-free: 1-800-686-2609 (Arkansas Blue Cross) or stop by the nearest Arkansas Blue Cross office.
The Kit may be downloaded as PDFs at any one of the following Web sites:
www.ArkansasBlueCross.com (click on "Employers" tab, then the Kit logo)
www.HealthAdvantage-hmo.com (click on "Employers" tab, then the Kit logo)
www.BlueAdvantageArkansas.com (click on "Employers" tab, then the Kit logo)
www.HealthyArkansas.com (click on the Kit logo)
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Founded in 1948, Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is the largest health insurer in Arkansas, serving approximately one-third of the fully insured market. Arkansas Blue Cross and its affiliates have more than 2,700 employees. If combined, the 39 independent, locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans collectively provide health-care coverage for 93 million — nearly one in three — Americans.
Arkansas Department of Health and Human Services
The Arkansas Department of Health and Human Services plays a key role in protecting and improving the health of all Arkansans. DHHS serves more than one million Arkansans each year. For more information about DHHS services, please visit www.arkansas.gov/dhhs.
