AHA, NFL smartphone app encourages exercise in children, adolescents

The American Heart Association, in partnership with the NFL, announced the launch of a smartphone app intended to encourage physical activity among children, according to a press release.

NFL Play 60, funded through a grant from the NFL Foundation, is an “endless runner” game that requires players to move themselves in order for their character within the game to perform the same movements. Users will need to run, jump, duck and turn in place in order to move forward and dodge obstacles in the game. The smartphone keeps track of these movements, and the player receives a score according to play duration and successful obstacle navigation, with a goal of at least 60 minutes of daily exercise.

NFL Play 60 is part of a 9-year, ongoing relationship between the AHA and the NFL that focuses on increasing physical activity and reducing obesity among children and adolescents in the US. The app is currently available as a free download in the iTunes store and will be available on the Android platform beginning Feb. 10.

“One-third of US children and adolescents are overweight or obese and at a higher risk for heart disease and stroke,” Mariell Jessup, MD, president of the AHA, said in the release. “We’re proud to partner with the NFL in developing an innovative way to reach adolescents, through their schools and now via their smartphones, in an effort to impact their lives earlier to make their lives longer.”