Released: April 15, 2003

Easy Exercise Program Is a Hit with Kansans

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Warm weather isn’t the only reason more people are out walking this spring. Nearly 12,000 Kansans signed up for "Walk Kansas," a low-cost, easy-to-do exercise program developed by Kansas State University Research and Extension.

Interest in the exercise program, which was introduced last year, has more than doubled. More than 80 of Kansas’ 105 counties are participating, said Mike Bradshaw, K-State Extension health and safety specialist who coordinated the program development.

"Walk Kansas encourages people to exercise with family members, friends, co-workers or others who have similar interests," he said.

As teams of six, they can log miles walked or minutes of other aerobic activities – running; bicycling; or swimming, for example – for each of eight weeks to accumulate miles equal to 423 miles across Kansas. The activity can be done individually or as teams, with the weekly results reported to each team’s captain.

The successful exercise program merges sound science with enjoyable activities, said Paul Estabrooks, physical activity specialist who collaborates on the program.

Estabrooks, who divides his time between the K-State Research and Extension Office of Community Health and the university’s Department of Kinesiology, said: "Research shows that 30 or more minutes of regular, moderate physical activity five or more days a week can reduce stress; lower blood pressure; aid weight management or loss; and reduce risks from diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and some cancers."

"Being with other people who want to be more active and improve their health, and setting a group goal can make exercising easier and more fun," he said.

In a follow-up study of first-year participants six months after the introductory program ended last year, Estabrooks reported that 95 percent of the randomly-selected participants who responded to the survey said that they would do it again. While those surveyed included some people who had been active before the program and some who had not, most respondents said that they had continued to exercise after the program had ended.

Participants also said they liked the "Walk Kansas" newsletters with health and exercise tips.

"We expect "Walk Kansas" to continue to grow, and are introducing a pilot program for students in several counties this year. We recognize that learning to combine exercise while also learning more about the health benefits of choosing a variety of foods, including fruits and vegetables, can help young people learn more about the relationship between exercise, nutrition, and health," Bradshaw said.

Obesity is a major health concern in the U.S. While more Kansans are walking this spring, we’re working to see that number continues to grow, he said.

The K-State Research and Extension program is funded in part by the U.S. Department of Agriculture-funded Family Nutrition Program (FNP).

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K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.

Story by:
Nancy Peterson, Communications Specialist
nancyp@oznet.ksu.edu
K-State Research& Extension News