The American College of Sports Medicine, in tandem with the Elevance Health Foundation, has positioned Pittsburgh as one of the most fit cities in the nation. A recent publication on Tuesday declared Steel City as number 17 on the ACSM/Elevance Health Foundation Fitness Index, a notable jump of twelve ranks from the previous year, as per details shared by WPXI.
In conjunction with the release of the Fitness Index rankings, the Elevance Health Foundation has committed itself to better public health through the "power of movement." CBS Pittsburgh quotes Dr. Shantanu Agrawal, chief health officer of Elevance Health, as emphasizing the shared goals of ACSM and the Foundation in providing valuable resources for communities to enhance their overall well-being.
The ACSM report states that, on a worrisome note, many residents in the major cities are found not meeting the recommended physical activity levels. Exercising enough to meet ACSM standards is not happening, reflective of the diminished number of individuals getting at least seven hours of sleep per night. ACSM emphasizes the need for 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity weekly. This concern was voiced by ACSM President Stella Volpe, who, in a statement issued by CBS Pittsburgh, called for local leaders to make "bold spending choices, policy decisions, and infrastructure changes" to boost the physical activity of residents.
Pittsburgh's enhanced ranking is a testament to its dedication to the health of its residents. It finds itself positioned above Chicago, slightly trailing St. Petersburg, Florida in the rankings, with Arlington, Virginia, and Washington D.C. taking the lead, reported by CBS Pittsburgh. The complete rankings alongside recommendations for improving community health can be discovered on the ACSM website.
