Improving Access to Physical Activity in Rural Communities-- Summertime Water Safety-- Exercise for Life-- Spring Activity Spotlight: DANCE-- Upcoming Events in the CHQ

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Improving Access to Physical Activity in Rural Communities

When you think of rural areas it's easy to assume since there is more space, then there must be more access to physical activity, right? This is not usually the case. Many barriers prevent rural residents from engaging in physical activity. These challenges include poverty, a lack of transportation, or safe access to physical activity as well as geographic isolation.

"In 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a greater than 40% prevalence of obesity in the U.S. Its prevalence remained significantly higher among adults residing in rural counties (34.2%) compared to those living in urban counties (28.7%) with over one-third of the American population classified as obese". So how can these rural communities improve access to physical activity and reduce obesity? Many rural communities look to their schools s being a hub for students as well as the community to access weightrooms, gyms and pools. Many schools also host community event centered around healthy, physical activity and nutrition. In addition to schools, the natural and built environment being enhanced and, promoted and utilized for safe physical activity are a necessity. Complete Streets, Safe Routes and the upkeep of natural trails and parks increase usage and increase access to physical activity.

The counties with highest participation in physical activity listed in the article below: "healthy hotspots"(some similar in size to our CHQ towns), but also make $20,000 or MORE per year on average than Chautauqua County residents with an average income of $50, 408. There is a direct connection between income level and geographic location to access physical activity and many communities are addressing this with increased initiatives towards Compete Streets and utilizing community centers such as schools and churches. Thank you to all the CHQ schools and community centers that have expanded access to their facilities as well as the many municipalities who are addressing these health disparities with work toward safe active transportation and revitalized trails.

For more information, check out the articles below:

Rural–Urban Differences in Overweight and Obesity, Physical Activity, and Food Security Among Children and Adolescents (cdc.gov)

https://activelivingresearch.org/sites/activelivingresearch.org/files/ALR_Brief_RuralCommunities_Sept2015.pdf

Equitable and Inclusive Access | Active People, Healthy Nation | Physical Activity | CDC

The Burden of Obesity in the Rural Adult Population of America - PMC (nih.gov)

Healthy hotspots: The 25 most physically active counties in the US - KVIA

Cities in Chautauqua County, New York by Population (2024) (worldpopulationreview.com)

Summertime Water Safety

Thinking about summer? I think we all are! Swimming and summertime fun and physical activity go hand in hand! Many local organizations have amazing programs in this area to teach our youth (and adults) basic skills, safety, and a lifetime of physical activity that promotes health and fun! Along with many activities, safety is always a top priority. To be able to enjoy pools and other bodies of water, safety and skills training and practice is essential.

The YMCA of Jamestown is continuing its Aquatic Safety Day (ASD) program with 2nd graders in CHQ schools this year! The program has been in place since 2009 and each year grows and adds schools. To date, the program has served 5885 students. This program is essential to our county as unfortunately drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death in children under 15 (CDC). On average 10 people die each day due to a drowning incident in the US, and of these 2 are children under the age of 14. A big thank to the Y for continuing this amazing program which gives students an in-depth 1.5-hour program full of lifesaving skills so children can keep themselves and others safe in an around all bodies of water.

The YMCA also does lifeguarding/CPR certification. This is a great way to earn summer money and promote healthy and safe behaviors in our community. If you are interested in becoming a lifeguard and /or CPR certification, please reach out to Maria Roehmholdt at: maria@jamestownymca.org.

*Don't forget the YMCA Healthy kids' day is April 26th from 5:30-7:30 pm at the Jamestown YMCA. This is a free family event with lots of great information and fun for kids and families! More info here: Jamestown Area YMCA (jamestownymca.org)

Chautauqua ISR is another local organization which focuses on babies and toddlers and preparing them with lifesaving skills in water safety as they learn and grow. The Chautauqua ISR program is for children 6 months - 6 years of age. Lessons are also available for older children and skills are adapted for their developmental level. ISR are unique safety swim lessons. These are lifesaving swim techniques that teach kids how to self-rescue should they find themselves in a water related accident. Children 6 months - 1 year are taught how to rollover onto their back and float. Children aged 1 year - 6 years learn how to swim, roll back onto their back to float and then flip over to continue swimming. If ever in a water accident, this enables them to swim toward the edge, roll back to float and rest and then flip over to continue swimming until they reached their exit point. These lessons are Monday - Friday for 6 weeks. Each lesson is 1:1 with the instructor and the student and lasts only 10 minutes per day. Lessons are short because kids have short attention spans. CHQ ISR works them to their peak performance and fosters them to do on their best! The short time span, consistency and 1:1 instruction helps little ones to retain the information and their skill!

If you are interested in the Chautauqua ISR program, please reach out to: hillary.mccandless@infantswim.com or check out their Facebook Page.

Exercise for Life

A woman was once asked as she was out on her bike: " Hey what are you training for?" she replied: "Life!" We are all training for life.

Here are a few exercises that we can do for a lifetime that help with balance, overall strength, flexibility, and stimulate our brains and focus, not to mention bladder control. The benefits of exercise and physical activity are well known, but if we could pick the best activities to keep us healthy long term for any fitness level, what would they be?

Swimming: fantastic for all fitness levels, low impact, great for muscular endurance, cardiovascular health, flexibility, core and just makes you feel good! Often getting pool time can be challenging, but look to your local YMCAs, schools and community centers for their open times. Open water swimming can also be a great activity with the proper safety measures in place: guarded areas, and always wear a bright colored swim cap!

Tai chi: Tai chi differs from other types of exercise in several respects. The movements are usually circular and never forced, the muscles are relaxed rather than tensed, the joints are not fully extended or bent, and connective tissues are not stretched. Tai chi can be easily adapted for anyone, from the most fit to people confined to wheelchairs or recovering from surgery.

Strength training: the more muscle you have, the more calories you burn even at rest. Strength training just heavy weights, its yoga, Pilates, light weights or resistance bands. Even swimming with the resistance of the water gives strength benefits.

Kegel exercises: These exercises help maintain our confidence, comfort level and quality of life! See the link below for exercise tips for men and women.

Step-by-step guide to performing Kegel exercises - Harvard Health

Walking: We actually use more musculature walking than when running. Walking is a lifetime activity good or our fitness, mind and also essential to complete our everyday " activities of daily living " (ADLs). Walking is a great social activity as well. The miles and time go so much faster when you're with a buddy. Changing the terrain you walk on can also challenge your muscles, heart and lungs! Extra steps are also linked to longer longevity!

5 of the best exercises you can ever do - Harvard Health

Physical Activity Guidelines Resources (acsm.org)

Spring Activity Spotlight: DANCE

We have all seen or heard about professional athletes on "dancing with the stars", but what about the rest of us? Dancing can improve many of the components of fitness along with some sport related skills. The components of fitness include, muscular strength, muscular endurance, body composition, cardiovascular fitness and flexibility. Sport skills include agility, power, agility, speed, balance, coordination, power, and reaction time. Dance is really the complete package as it incorporates all of these areas!

Dance has a wide range of genres: ballroom, tap, ballet, modern, hip-hop, jazz, Latin, cultural, the list goes on! Dance is a very accessible activity as you can do it anywhere. It helps us focus, use our memory, spatial awareness, and also builds cardiovascular and muscular endurance. The balance and brain stimulation help us as we age and improves focus. Many physical and occupational therapists incorporate dance into their sessions due the many benefits-- and of course fun factor!

Engaging in dance is also helpful for our mental health as it a natural mood booster. Whether you're a toddler or older adult there is something beneficial for us to incorporate dance into our exercise routine. Today with the many online platforms and community events and classes- dancing is a great option!

Another form of dance on the rise is Hoop dancing. This adds another layer of challenge as we practice hoop skills as we move through space. Many classes add a weighted hoop to challenge our core and other muscle groups. Please see the links below for more information on the benefits of dance, a look at hoop dancing, as well as an amazing performance from Buffalo, NY native Jennifer Dennehy- hoop dance artist extraordinaire!

Health Benefits of Hula Hooping – Infinite Circles Organization

Hula Hoop Benefits: 8 Reasons to Give Hooping a Try (healthline.com)

Benefits of Dance: 8 Benefits for Adults and Kids (healthline.com)

The Physiological and Psychological Benefits of Dance and its Effects on Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review - PMC (nih.gov)

Hoop dancing by Jennifer Dennehy: school performance: https://youtu.be/YuLec2nOjwg?si=XLjnxk1ZPJ5Fe_rj

Community fire dance performance: https://youtu.be/KDfGDryrqcY?si=oFVjJ_yPbmBVEm_w

Upcoming Events in the CHQ

April 13th:

FCS Key Club Bunny Hop 5K & Kids' 1K Fun Run (runsignup.com)

April 13th:

Maple Grove Class of 2026 5K run/walk (runsignup.com)

April 28th:

1891 Fredonia Opera House Run (runsignup.com)

May 18th:

Step Up for Kids 5K Run/Walk/Cycle (runsignup.com)

May18th:

Wooden Shoe 5K (runsignup.com)

Audubon Lights, Jamestown, NY | Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau (tourchautauqua.com)

Fredonia Farmer's Market, Fredonia, NY | Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau (tourchautauqua.com)

Cosmic Public Skate and Lights Out Ice Bumper Cars at Northwest Arena, Jamestown, NY | Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau (tourchautauqua.com)

Springtime Adventure at Audubon, Jamestown, NY | Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau (tourchautauqua.com)

Eclipse Viewing at Panama Rocks Scenic Park, Panama, NY | Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau (tourchautauqua.com)

Total Eclipse at Jamestown Community College, Jamestown, NY | Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau (tourchautauqua.com)

BANFF Mountain Film Festival 2024 — Reg Lenna

MOVE. CHQ High School Student Internship Opportunity- see LINK below for more information!

CHN MOVE.CHQ High School Student Internship Opportunity

For information click on link above or please contact Lisa Roberts with questions or to register: lisa.roberts@chq.health

This e-newsletter is for any group or anyone who wants to maintain or become more active in Chautauqua County. We'll discuss what's being done to connect communities to physical activities, improving health and wellness and overall quality of life in the Southern Tier; please forward this email freely!

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