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Press release
ICAA teams up with AoA's YOU CAN Celebration during Active Aging Week
Third annual Active Aging Week will highlight importance of physically active lifestyles
VANCOUVER, BC (July 29, 2005)--Although more older adults are taking the active aging message to heart, vast numbers are still inactive, says Colin Milner, chief executive officer of the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA), the world's largest trade association for the senior fitness and wellness industry. Milner points to the good news revealed by American Sports Data's 2005 SUPERSTUDY® of Sports Participation:
- From 1998 to 2004, the number of frequent fitness participants ages 55 and older in the United States soared by 33%.
- The 55-plus age group now accounts for 25% of all health club members in the US.
Despite this progress, Milner says, 37.8% of adults ages 45-64 years and 53.4% of those ages 65 years and older recorded less than 10 minutes of leisure-time physical activity per day in 2002, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
To address the continuing high rates of inactivity among older adults, the ICAA is teaming with the US Administration on Aging's You Can! Celebration during Active Aging Week, September 26-October 1, 2005. The You Can! Celebration is a national initiative that promotes health through physical activity and nutritional programs.
The third annual Active Aging Week heightens awareness of the health benefits of physical activity and healthy eating among mature adults. The initiative also increases opportunities for adults in this age group to adopt physically active lifestyles. During this national health observance, hundreds of fitness and wellness facilities will open their doors to older adults offering, free group fitness classes, educational sessions, and much more. These sessions will be open to the public. Furthermore, free fitness classes held on October 1 will coincide with the 15th International Day of Older Persons, a World Health Organization initiative to promote the importance of keeping aging adults both healthy and productive.
The ICAA welcomes Thera-Band Academy, the Institute for Preventive Foot Health and THOR·LO as sponsors of this year's initiative. Thera-Band Academy is an industry leader in education and research on exercise and rehabilitation. The Institute for Preventive Foot Health promotes awareness of, and the need for, preventive foot health as a key to long-term quality of human life.THOR·LO designs and manufactures innovative sock products for active living. Both sponsors will offer additional support for this year's campaign.
More information about Active Aging Week is available at www.icaa.cc/aaw.htm.
About the International Council on Active Aging
The International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) is the world's largest association dedicated to changing the way we age by uniting and working with professionals in the retirement, assisted living, recreation, fitness, rehabilitation and wellness fields. It connects like-minded professionals who share the goals of changing society's perceptions of aging and improving the quality of life for aging Baby Boomers and older adults within the six dimensions of wellness. The council supports these professionals with education, information, resources and tools, so they can achieve optimal success with this growing market. To learn more about the ICAA, go to www.icaa.cc.
About Thera-Band Academy
For more than 25 years, Thera-Band products have been recognized for their quality and effectiveness by rehabilitation specialists and professional athletic trainers. Manufactured by The Hygenic Corporation, Thera-Band products include elastic bands, tubing, exercise balls, Soft Weights and aquatic accessories. Thera-Band Academy is a leader in education and research on exercise and rehabilitation within these product categories. The Academy's ultimate vision is to facilitate a continuum of therapy to fitness, promoting a healthy lifestyle for all ages through exercise. For information about Thera-Band Academy, visit www.thera-bandacademy.com. For details about Thera-Band products, log on to www.thera-band.com
About THOR·LO
THOR·LO has pioneered preventive foot health through innovative Thorlos® activity-specific sock product designs and consumer messaging since 1980. Thorlos introduced the Levels of Protection system last year to make it easier for active individuals to choose the sock products that best suit their needs. Thorlos are the only sock products with peer-reviewed, published research to support the claims and benefits of protection and comfort for aging, as well as younger, feet. This year, THOR·LO introduces the Thorlos Exercise Walking System. This breakthrough technology employs an integrated system of three components--an anatomically designed sock product, a proprietary footbed, and a specially designed shoe--all designed to work together to produce a more natural walking gait for active individuals. For more information, please visit the Thorlos website at www.thorlo.com.
About the Institute for Preventive Foot Health
The Institute for Preventive Foot Health (IPFH) promotes awareness of, and the need for, preventive foot health as a key to long-term quality of human life. It also promotes research and education dedicated to preventive foot health practices, products and procedures that contribute to the general well being of the human foot.
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Media contacts:
Naomi Kall, Thera-Band
Telephone: 330-633-8460 ext. 240; fax: 330-633-9359
nkall@thera-band.com ; www.thera-band.com
Rick Mende, THOR·LO
Telephone: (800)438-0286 ext;
RMende@THORLO.com ; www.thorlo.com
For interviews or more information about the ICAA or aging-related issues, contact:
Colin Milner, CEO, International Council on Active Aging
Toll-free: 866-335-9777 (in North America); tel: 604-734-4466; cell: 604-763-4595
colinmilner@icaa.cc
