About Fitness at NASA
NASA's Occupational Health Program advocates all employees' participation in physical fitness and other health/wellness activities. In addition to health benefits reported by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), regular exercise and a well-balanced diet may help to reduce absences due to illness, increase productivity, and enhance individuals' quality of life and mental health.
Studies conducted by the CDC and the ACSM have shown that adults should accumulate 30 minutes or more of moderate-intensity physical activity on most, preferably all, days of the week. Physical activity results in protective effects and reduction of risk for several chronic diseases, including coronary heart disease, hypertension, non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis, colon cancer, and anxiety and depression. A midlife increase in physical activity is associated with a decreased risk of mortality - an estimated 250 000 deaths per year in the United States (about 12% of the total) are attributable to a lack of regular physical activity.
News
Since 2008, almost all 50 states, many cities, organizations and a few military bases have celebrated Exercise is Medicine Month by hosting a variety of organized events requiring physical activity to get people moving. If you would like more information about this initiative and to download the 2012 Exercise is Medicine Month Toolkit or the Exercise is Medicine® Health and Fitness Professionals' Action Guide, check out
ExerciseisMedicine.Org.
The NASA Walk to Wellness 28 Day Walking Campaign will be returning this year! Spring is just around the corner, what better time than the present to get started on your way to a HealthierYou.
+ Read more
JSC will be presenting a series of fitness and nutrition videoteleconferences. This education series will be beneficial to the entire NASA workforce and all are welcome to attend.
The series will consist of one hour segments hosted by fitness, health, and nutrition experts from Johnson Space Center. These presenters bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise, promising an educational and interesting discussion about fitness and nutrition topics.
The schedule for the series is shown below (please contact Janine Hardin with questions):
| Date / Time | Title | Presenter | Download Presentation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday February 22 1:00-2:00pm ET | The Role of Physical Fitness in Health | Larry Wier | |
| Thursday March 8 1:30-2:30pm ET | Exercise for Weight Control | Larry Wier | |
| Wednesday April 4 2:30-3:30pm ET | Fad Diets - Time to Bust Some Myths | Glenda Blaskey | |
| Monday May 7 2:30-3:30pm ET | Metabolic Syndrome and Physical Fitness | Larry Wier | |
| Monday May 14 1:00-2:00pm ET | If It Ain't Whole, It Ain't Fiber | Glenda Blaskey | |
| Thursday May 31 12:00-1:00pm ET | Dining Out - Can It Be Part of a Healthy Lifestyle | Glenda Blaskey | |
| Wednesday June 6 2:30-3:30pm ET | Resistance Training for an Aging Population | Larry Wier | |
| Tuesday June 12 11:30-12:30pm ET | Nutrition and Disease Prevention | Glenda Blaskey | |
| Wednesday July 25 11:30-12:30pm ET | Fitness From Anywhere: What's New This Year | Greta Ayers | |
| Monday July 30 1:00-2:00pm ET | Supplements: Be an Informed Consumer | Glenda Blaskey | |
| Tuesday August 14 11:30-12:30pm ET | TBD | Glenda Blaskey | |
| Wednesday August 22 1:00-2:00pm ET | Your Personal Fitness Assessment | Larry Wier |
Upcoming ViTS For Coordinators & Points of Contact
- Tuesday May 22, 2012 at 1:00pm ET
- Wednesday August 22, 2012 at 1:00pm ET
- Tuesday November 06, 2012 at 2:30pm ET
Become a Member of your Fitness Center!
- List All Fitness Center Facility Managers
- Using Fitness Facilities at Other Centers While on Travel
- See Photos of Various NASA Fitness Centers
Most NASA Centers and component facilities have onsite fitness centers. Some NASA Centers also feature running/walking trails, basketball courts, tennis courts, and group exercise classes. Employees should take advantage of these benefits.
For information on how to become a member, obtain a schedule of group classes, or to tour the facilities, visit or contact your Fitness Center.
You can begin the process by completing the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q).
Using Onsite Fitness Facilities at Other Centers While on Travel
- Contact the primary NASA Center fitness facility point of contact (by phone or e-mail) to find out what is required for clearance to access the facility.
- Ask your Center's primary fitness facility point of contact to fax your clearance information to the destination Center. A completed (and current) PAR-Q and blood pressure check comprise the minimum clearance required by NASA for an employee to use a fitness facility.
-
Inquire about
- hours of operation
- location (ask to be sent a map or directions)
- types of equipment and facilities available
- whether a fee is required
- whether the buddy system applies
- a schedule of group exercise classes
- the availability of a publicly accessible website so that information about the fitness center can be reviewed beforehand
- Contact the NASA Fitness Program Oversight Manager if you experience any problems, need assistance, or have any questions Janine Hardin at 321-867-2423, janine.e.hardin@nasa.gov ).
Fitness Center Facility Managers
| Center | Contact |
|---|---|
| ARC | David King 650-604-1316 david.b.king@nasa.gov |
| GRC | Renee Barrett 216-433-6313 renee.c.barrett@nasa.gov |
| GSFC | Michael Ochranek 301-286-8404 michael.j.ochranek@nasa.gov |
| HQ/OIG | Tanya Johnson 202-358-0138 tanya.johnson-1@nasa.gov |
| JSC | Jessica Vos 281-244-1383 jessica.r.vos@nasa.gov Other Website |
| KSC | Jessica Sapp 321-867-3414 jessica.l.sapp@nasa.gov |
| LRC | Kelly Cox 757 864 2291 kelly.m.cox@nasa.gov |
| LRC | Brandi Klika 757-864-3728 brandi.s.klika@nasa.gov |
| MSFC | Bill Mayo 256-544-7564 john.w.mayo@nasa.gov |
| SSC | William Scott Burks 228-688-3950 william.s.burks@nasa.gov |
| WFF | John Gerlach 757-824-1515 john.gerlach@nasa.gov |
| WSTF | Chris Bois 575-525-7505 Christopher.bois@nasa.gov |
| NOTE: Some websites might have restricted access | |
Resources and Tools
- Aerobics and Fitness Association of America
- American College of Sports Medicine
- American Council on Exercise
- American Running Association
- CDC.s Benefits of Physical Activity
- CDC Health Statistics
- Cooper Institute (Health, Fitness, Nutrition)
- Dietary Guidelines for Americans
- Exercise for Older Adults
- Food and Nutrition
- Harvard Public School of Health Nutrition Source
- Healthfinder Get Active
- Musculoskeletal exercises and guidance
- NIH Medline Plus Sports and Fitness
- National Center on Physical Activity and Disability
- National Center on Physical Activity and Disability - 14 Week Program
- NIH Go4Life Exercise and Physical Activity Website
- National Physical Activity Plan
- National Strength and Conditioning Association
- Physical Activity Guidelines
