Reducing sedentary behavior and increasing physical activity are key to immediate and long-term health for children. That is why the American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, the National Football League and the Seattle Seahawks have awarded a $1,500 Get Moving Grant to Orcas Island Elementary and Middle School.

Students in the Orcas Island Elementary and Middle School moved along with the Seattle Seahawks exercise video which is a part of the NFL PLAY 60 exercise library, featuring team-created, family-friendly exercises to help kids get their recommended 60-minutes of daily physical activity.

“Our island and educators know the benefits physical activity can have on the all around well-being of our students,” shared Rachel Wilson, K-8 Physical Education Teacher for Orcas Island School District. “The Get Moving Grant provided us an opportunity to showcase the positive attitudes and efforts our kids have been putting in alongside our beloved Seattle Seahawks! We plan to use the Get Moving Grant towards the start of a collection of wrist heart rate monitors students will be able to use and begin to understand how their heart and body are working together.

The Get Moving Grant application process invited schools to re-create their version of their hometown team’s exercise video demonstrating school and Hawks spirit paired with an excitement for physical activity. Schools posted their videos to social media from November 2021- January 2022 to officially enter the grant process. Videos were reviewed by a panel and one school per NFL market for a total of 32 schools nationwide, received a grant for physical activity equipment.

Of the 32 schools, one school will be named the national winner receiving an additional $1,500 for physical activity equipment which will be announced in the Super Bowl Brain Break broadcast taking place on Thursday, Feb. 10 at 10 a.m. PT. Celebrating the program’s 15th year, the Brain Break will host an action-packed, 15-minute synchronous broadcast to help students add movement to their day. Advanced registration is required to access the NFL PLAY 60 Brain Break broadcast.

Rooted in science, NFL PLAY 60, helps children to develop healthy habits for a better chance of a healthy adulthood. The program encourages kids to get a minimum of 60 minutes of vigorous physical activity each day to meet the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.

“Ensuring kids have the opportunity to build a foundation of fitness is critical to their long-term health and wellbeing,” said Shelli Kind, Executive Director, American Heart Association Washington. “The opportunity to get moving with Blitz and Seahawks Dancers is a fun way for kids to showcase their 12th Man spirit and support their daily physical activity needs. The NFL PLAY 60 program is one way the American Heart Association supports the health of our next generation.”