Park and Recreation Departments
Should Encourage Employees to "Get Physical"

by Jim Listen

Jim Liston is the Executive Director of the Illinois Governor's Council on Health and Fitness (ICCHF). He has served in this capacity since April 1978. Jim was elected President of the National Association of Governor's Councils on Physical Fitness and Sports (NACCPFS) in 1979 and is currently serving his third consecutive term in that office. The NAGCPFS currently has 31 chartered state members.

"It is important to promote the idea, in both the public and private sectors, of a healthy work environment and, especially, of an adequate opportunity to promote physical fitness as part of a working day. Both the opportunity and the attitude that we in government take towards helping people help themselves in matters of fitness and health is important. We are going to try, for example, in the construction of this state's facilities to set aside, from the architect's plans on, places in which employees can promote health and fitness."

These remarks by Illinois Governor James R. Thompson recently kicked off Illinois State Employee Fitness Day. Over 2200 state workers participated in this state-wide non-competitive walk-jog-bike event held over the noon hour. Since this effort the Illinois State Armory has been renovated to include men's and women's shower facilities and access to lockers on a daily basis. In addition, 8 week fitness classes have been offered to several state agencies by local fitness organizations.

Fitness is for everyone.

In an attempt to promote the healthy benefits of exercise to private sector employees the Council will be sponsoring Illinois Employee Fitness Day on Wednesday, October 6th. Over 65,000 Illinois employees are expected to take part in the event. Free ribbons will be provided to all participants. Employee groups from a wide variety of work backgrounds will be participating including:

public school faculties

state, municipal and county employees

private sector employees (factory and white collar)

Why the Concern?

A century ago, the nature of the American work place was such that one-third of the labor force worked at jobs with built-in exercise. By contrast less than one percent of today's work force is involved in exercise-related jobs.

This drastic reduction of the physical requirements in the average worker's day has placed enormous financial burdens in the form of health problems upon American business and labor. For example:

Premature deaths cost American industry more than $25 billion dollars and 132 million workdays of lost production each year.

Heart disease alone accounts for 52 million of these lost days.

Heart attacks kill more than one-half million Americans every year; many are in their prime productive years. The American Heart Association estimates that industry pays $700 million dollars each year just to recruit their replacements.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 30 July/August 1982

Back pain afflicts about 75 million working men and women and accounts for $1 billion dollars in lost output, plus $250 million in Workmen's Compensation claims. Most back pain is a consequence of neglected muscles.

Chronic fatigue and lethargy sap efficiency and productivity while increasing the probability of accidents on the job.

Recent studies, however, reveal that physical fitness activities in the work place can lead to positive lifestyle changes. The well-known NASA Employee Study showed dramatically the effect of a continuous, well organized exercise program.

Among the participants who adhered to the program:

One-half reported improved job performance and more positive work attitudes;

Almost all said they felt better;

89% reported increased stamina;

40% reported sounder sleep;

More than 60 % lost weight;

Half said they were paying more attention to diet;

Many have reduced their smoking or quit entirely.

Other programs have found active participants to have lower coronary risk factors, improved physical work capacity and less absenteeism (42% less in a Canada Life Assurance Company Study) from personal sick leave.

Where do IAPD/IPRA members fit in?

Park districts have a tremendous opportunity to capitalize on and become involved in the Illinois Employee Fitness Day. Working in conjunction with the private sector to help plan and coordinate the events enabling business to participate in this event can expose new people to the facilities and programs of the district as well as promote a greater awareness of the benefits derived from physical fitness. This event also offers an avenue whereby park districts can encourage local companies to become more active in their support of both recreation and fitness programs for their employees.

With the recent interest shown by park and recreation personnel in promoting fitness programs (Fitness Through Recreation in The 80's Coalition and Life; Be In It Campaign) the Council would like to encourage IAPD/IPRA members to promote this event through their local park and recreation departments and districts.

For more information and materials about the event contact or call the Council at:

Illinois Governor's Council on Health and Fitness
535 West Jefferson
Springfield, IL 62706
217/785-8216

Illinois Parks and Recreation 31 July/August 1982