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Alberta Medical Association (AMA) Youth Run Club. Overview, Background, Benefits Presented by [organization or individual]. AMA Youth Run Club – Origin. P artnership between Ever Active Schools and Alberta Medical Association (AMA) – late 2012
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Alberta Medical Association (AMA) Youth Run Club Overview, Background, Benefits Presented by [organization or individual]
AMA Youth Run Club – Origin • Partnership between Ever Active Schools and Alberta Medical Association (AMA) – late 2012 • Joint concern about low rates of kids’ physical activity • Joint concern about future health impacts of inactivity • AMA Youth Run Club – modeled on Doctors Nova Scotia’s “Kids’ Run Club” • Developed by Doctors Nova Scotia in 2004 • Award-winning (awards from CICH & CPHA) • Now in year 10 in NS – 17,500 students, 260 schools
AMA Youth Run Club - Goals • Main goals: • Increase kids’ activity levels • Only 1 in 10 Canadian kids active enough • Decrease kids’ recreational screen time • Average is >5 hours/day; decrease to 1-2 hours/day • Educate kids on the benefits of being active • Positively effect long-term healthy lifestyle habits • Other goals: • Increase community engagement • Develop youth leaders • Develop school champions
AMA Youth Run Club – Early Results • Small-scale pilot test April-June 2013 • 74 schools across Alberta (exceeded target of 20) • Approx. 50% rural and 50% urban • 4,000+ kids • Very successful, positive feedback • 2013-14 goal – 200 schools across Alberta • More than 200 schools as of late 2013 • About 10,000 students participating • List of schools & locations(http://everactive.org/alberta-medical-association-youth-run-club)
AMA Youth Run Club – What It Is • Free; no cost • Inclusive for all fitness levels • Walk/run approach • Non-competitive • Adaptable for kids from kindergarten to Grade 12 • Coach – teacher, parent, community, peer leader • Flexible – school decides how to adapt and implement • What ages/grades • When – lunch, before or after school, recess • How many times a week
AMA Youth Run Club – What It Is … • Year-long recommended for maximum benefit • Fall/spring running; alternative sport activity in winteror • Some schools run throughout the winter, too • Option of template programs – goal of a “virtual” marathon/half-marathon • 14 to 21 runs – done over 4 weeks to several months • Finish with a final “fun run” (2.1, 4.2 or 5 km) • Schools register their club by signing up online • www.everactive.org/alberta-medical-association-youth-run-club
AMA Youth Run Club - Supports • Resources • Coach’s handbook & runner’s handbook • Running log • “Eat, move, play challenge” • Initial form letter to adapt and send to parents • Regular e-newsletter for coaches (with tips, ideas) • AMA Youth Run Club Coordinator Hayley Degaust • Phone or email advice • On-site school visit on request • Incentives • End of year finisher’s prize for participants • Contests schools can enter throughout the year
AMA Youth Run Club – Important Health Messages • In development – to reinforce health messages: • Physician volunteers to visit run clubs on request to present a “Tip of the Week” topic: • Benefits of physical activity • Limiting screen time • Sun safety • Injury prevention • Other health topics • Connections between run clubs and local PCNs • Increasing other partnerships