The importance of physical activity in maintaining health is the focus of APTA's national public awareness campaign, but we're not alone: An increasing number of organizations are echoing the association's call for more emphasis on the benefits of movement throughout life.

And even better: Many of these groups are seeking out the physical therapy profession's input in carrying out their projects.

In recognition of National Physical Therapy Month and APTA's Physical Activity Campaign, here are four examples of how the association is bringing the profession's voice to the table to help the country get moving.

Physical Activity Alliance Recommendations for Children and Adolescents
Founded by the National Physical Activity Plan, the National Physical Activity Society, and the National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity, the Physical Activity Alliance focuses on policy advocacy, strategic planning, and workforce development related to physical activity. A recent PAA publication titled "Physical Activity Recommendations for Children and Adolescents: More Important than Ever" was co-authored by APTA staff. The series of papers focuses on recommendations for increasing physical activity in elementary, middle school, and high school-age youth, each addressed separately, as well as recommendations for sports across all grades.

Movement is Life Podcast Series
APTA is on the steering committee for Movement is Life, a coalition focused on increasing physical activity as a way to help decrease health disparities. Our latest contributions include participation in a Movement is Life podcast that includes APTA staff member Hadiya Green Guerrero, PT, DPT, on the importance of mentorship, support networks, and parents to developing resilience. Be on the lookout for another podcast in the Movement is Life series, coming soon, in which APTA staffer Drew Contreras, PT, DPT, and Green Guerrero discuss the APTA physical activity campaign.

HHS National Alzheimer's Project Act Advisory Panel Updates to Risk Reduction Recommendations
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Education established the National Alzheimer's Project Act advisory group, or NAPA, to assist in creating a national plan to address Alzheimer's disease and related dementia. Recently, a subcommittee of the group that includes APTA staff successfully recommended adoption of a new goal to the project’s national plan: "Reduce the burden of risk factors for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias." Among the risk factors listed for attention: lack of sufficient physical activity.

Move United Programming
An affiliate of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, Move United advocates for individuals with disabilities to participate in sports and recreation. Move United's latest education conference included a presentation titled "A Physical Therapist's Role in Promoting Equitable and Inclusive Wellness in Sports Participation for Athletes with Disabilities," from Green Guerrero; fellow APTA staffer Heidi Kosakowski, PT, PhD; and APTA member Katie Lucas, PT, DPT. Additionally, Green Guerrero participated in a Move United online Q&A session on adaptive sports return to play.