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 o Joint concern about low rates of kids’ physical activity o Joint concern about future health impacts of inactivity AMA Youth Run Club – modeled on Doctors Nova Scotia’s “Kids’ Run Club” o Developed by Doctors Nova Scotia in 2004 o Award-winning (awards from CICH & CPHA) o Now in year 10 in NS – 17,500 students, 260 schools

AMA Youth Run Club - Goals Main goals: o Increase kids’ activity levels  Only 1 in 10 Canadian kids active enough o Decrease kids’ recreational screen time  Average is >5 hours/day; decrease to 1-2 hours/day o Educate kids on the benefits of being active o Positively effect long-term healthy lifestyle habits Other goals: o Increase community engagement o Develop youth leaders o Develop school champions

AMA Youth Run Club – Early Results Small-scale pilot test April-June 2013 o 74 schools across Alberta (exceeded target of 20) o Approx. 50% rural and 50% urban o 4,000+ kids o Very successful, positive feedback goal – 200 schools across Alberta o More than 200 schools as of late 2013 o About 10,000 students participating o List of schools & locations (

AMA Youth Run Club – What It Is Free; no cost Inclusive for all fitness levels o Walk/run approach o Non-competitive Adaptable for kids from kindergarten to Grade 12 Coach – teacher, parent, community, peer leader Flexible – school decides how to adapt and implement o What ages/grades o When – lunch, before or after school, recess o How many times a week

AMA Youth Run Club – What It Is … Year-long recommended for maximum benefit o Fall/spring running; alternative sport activity in winter or o Some schools run throughout the winter, too Option of template programs – goal of a “virtual” marathon/half-marathon o 14 to 21 runs – done over 4 weeks to several months o Finish with a final “fun run” (2.1, 4.2 or 5 km) Schools register their club by signing up online o

AMA Youth Run Club - Supports Resources o Coach’s handbook & runner’s handbook o Running log o “Eat, move, play challenge” o Initial form letter to adapt and send to parents o Regular e-newsletter for coaches (with tips, ideas) AMA Youth Run Club Coordinator Hayley Degaust o Phone or advice o On-site school visit on request Incentives o End of year finisher’s prize for participants o Contests schools can enter throughout the year

AMA Youth Run Club – Important Health Messages In development – to reinforce health messages: o 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 o Connections between run clubs and local PCNs o Increasing other partnerships

AMA Youth Run Club – Latest Results

Latest Results …