Resources & Infographics

The following resources, infographics, and links provide more information about the ACSM American Fitness Index. We hope these resources will be useful in your efforts to increase physical activity in your city.

Fitness Index In Action

Providing technical assistance in Cincinnati, OH
One of three coalitions to receive technical assistance in 2013-2014

Inspiring the Healthy Charlotte Council
Example of community work involving all sectors of a community

Applying the My Community Application Toolkit
Pennsylvania State University students use the My Community Application Toolkit to provide Pennsylvanian health and parks departments with local scores

Fitness Index Resources

Community Fitness Assessment
The Community Fitness Assessment was designed to help stakeholders in communities that were not included in the annual Fitness Index rankings apply a similar approach to assessing your community fitness, and build understanding of the individual and societal factors related to physical activity in the community. The Community Fitness Assessment will lead you through the steps to find data about your community, identify peer communities, and then assess your community’s areas of excellence and opportunities for improvement.

Community Action Guide
The Community Action Guide provides an overview of the critical decisions and factors to address health and physical activity in your city. Using the Fitness Index, city leaders and community based organizations can understand the individual, societal, and behavioral factors related to physical activity and implement policies and programs that are meaningful to their residents.

Archived Rankings
Want more info on your city? Dig into the archives for a look back on previous years of the Fitness Index rankings and trends.

Advocate for Your Community | Op-Ed Template
Tell your city officials that you support safe, walkable, and bikeable neighborhoods for all people with this customizable op-ed template.

Fitness Index Infographic Library

Additional Resources

Active Living Research
A program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation that provides evidence based research and strategies to encourage physical activity.  These resources are intended for advocates, practitioners, policy-makers, educators, and the media.

The Community Guide-Physical Activity
The Community Guide reviews behavioral social, environmental and policy interventions as well as campaign and informational approaches to public health.

Every Body Walk!
The Every Body Walk! campaign provides news and resources on walking, health information, a personal pledge form to start walking, as well as a place to share stories about individual experiences with walking.

Park Locators
Whether looking for a local, state, or a national park, there’s a park locator to meet your need. Plan your state park visit with America’s State Parks map. Explore our national parks with the U.S. National Park Service Find A Park map.

Prevention Institute: Putting prevention at the center of community well-being
Synthesizes research and practice; develops prevention tools and frameworks; helps design and guide interdisciplinary partnerships; and conducts training and strategic consultation with government, foundations, and community-based organizations nationwide and internationally.

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