More than 50,000 students in 30 West Virginia schools will join state and community leaders to celebrate West Virginia Physical Activity Day on Thursday, Jan. 19. Students will participate in a popular line dance called the Cupid Shuffle at 1 p.m. to call attention to the importance of physical activity.

Statewide activities will coincide with the introduction of the Active 2015: WV Physical Activity Plan on the same day at the Capitol Rotunda. According to organizers, the plan supports healthy living and quality of life for every West Virginian.

The WV Physical Activity Plan is supported by WVU College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, The WV CARDIAC Project, and West Virginia on the Move, Inc.

“We are thrilled to have the Governor, West Virginia representatives, and other special guests join us in support of increasing physical activity in the state” said Eloise Elliott, WVU CPASS Ware Distinguished Professor and Chair of the WVPAP.

“The West Virginia Plan is receiving national attention because we are one of two states taking the lead in developing plans modeled after the National Physical Activity Plan launched in 2010.”

At the State Capitol, lawmakers will join Governor Earl Ray Tomblin to emphasize the importance of policy and environmental changes designed to increase physical activity participation of all citizens. The Capitol Rotunda will be filled with physical activity demonstrations and a fun run will take off from the Capitol steps at 1:30 p.m. For a list of activities, see: http://www.wvphysicalactivity.org/.

Statewide, county commissioners and other local officials are signing proclamations and resolutions in support of the plan. The plan will also receive endorsements from leaders in health care, public health, business and industry, mass media, parks, recreation and fitness, transportation, land and community planning and volunteer and non-profit organizations.

For more details and to learn how to get involved, go to www.wvphysicalactivity.org.

—WVU—

1/12/11

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CONTACT: Kimberly Cameon, WVU CPASS
304-293-0827, Kimberly.Cameon@mail.wvu.edu