Active For Life 101

What is Active For Life? Flexible, 10-week team-based worksite physical activity program Team-based approach, with ability to set individual goals Receive a point for each minute of physical activity – counts toward individual and team goals Participants, Team Captains, and Directors provide encouragement to succeed Based on the Stages of Change Theory and the American Cancer Society (ACS) Guidelines for Physical Activity

Evidence Base Five stages of change: Precontemplation - No physical activity Contemplation - Not active, but intends to start in a few months Preparation - Participate in some physical activity, but not regularly Action - Have been active regularly for less than six months Maintenance - Regularly active for more than six months Individual Goal Setting, Social Support, Tracking/Journaling ACS Recommendations for Physical Activity for Cancer Prevention Adults: Engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity, above usual activities, on 5 or more days of the week; 45 to 60 minutes of intentional physical activity are preferable. Children and adolescents: Engage in at least 60 minutes per day of moderate to vigorous physical activity at least 5 days per week. Moderate activity is anything that makes you breathe as hard as you do during a brisk walk. During moderate activity, you will notice a slight increase in your heart rate and breathing, but you probably won’t break a sweat. Vigorous activity is performed at a higher intensity. These activities produce an increased heart rate, sweating, and breathing rate.

AFL Structure with Exec Director

Executive Director Role Highest role in the Active for Life (AFL) program Suggested for companies running multiple AFL campaigns with multiple Program Directors (PD) (i.e., an organization composed of a corporate office and two satellite offices, the organization will need an ED to oversee the AFL campaign and PDs to implement the campaign at each satellite office)

Executive Director Responsibilities Invite Program Directors Work with Program Directors to coordinate your company’s overall AFL program Determine incentives and activities Access reports for all campaigns Provide program analysis Wellness Planning Committee

AFL Structure with a Program Director

Program Director Role Manages a single AFL campaign May be the highest role in the AFL campaign if Executive Director level is not needed Works closely with Executive Director if applicable If no ED, PD determines campaign dates, bonus points, incentives and activities

Program Director Responsibilities Determine logistics of campaign Communicates with management Selects and invites Team Captains Creates program news Monitors team reports Distributes incentives and plans activities Chair the campaign’s Wellness Planning Committee

Team Captain Role & Responsibilities Provides program information and support directly to the program participants Essential part of keeping the Participants motivated Selects the team name and team logo (logo is optional) Invites the employees to participate on their team Monitors team and Participant reports

Participant Role & Responsibilities Participates in the activities Encourages other participants Enjoys the benefits of using the AFL program Commits to being physically active Logs their points and keeps their activity log up-to-date

Role Recap Executive Director: Program Director: Team Captain: Highest role in AFL program Suggested for companies with multiple worksites Invite Program Directors Develop Reports Provide Program Analysis Program Director: Manage AFL Campaign within worksites Selects campaign logistics Selects/Invites Team Captains Creates program news Monitors team reports Team Captain: Provide program information and support to participants Selects team name and logo (optional) Invites employees to participate on their team Monitors team and participant reports Participant: Participates in the activities

Active For Life Support Tools AFL Best Practices A document that shares ideas and suggestions from other companies or organizations who have implemented Active For Life in their environment Training presentations available for each role within Active For Life Campaign Tips within the AFL site Section of the site that houses role specific tips and resources Active For Life Help section Details step by step directions by role to assist in navigating the AFL site ACS Relationship Manager Support

Home Page www.activeforlife.org

Participant Dashboard

Optional Nutrition and Weight Tools

For more information about Active For Life, contact your ACS Relationship Manager Or activeforlife@cancer.org