Since the CHP Champions Program launched 14 years ago, it’s been inspiring kids throughout the region to get active. The program, sponsored by Capital Health Plan since its inception, is administered by the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce’s World Class Schools, and provided in local schools by Titus Sports Academy, celebrates its largest year-to-date enrollment – serving more than 18,000 students.
The CHP Champions program is a voluntary fitness program designed to encourage children to develop healthy habits and promote lifelong wellness. In the past five years alone, the program has seen significant growth and is available at no cost to children in grades K-8 in public schools across Leon, Wakulla, Jefferson, Gadsden, Calhoun, and Liberty County School Districts.
“It’s tougher than ever to get kids outside and active,” said Laura Rogers, program director at World Class Schools of Leon County. “With childhood obesity rates at an all-time high, it is vital to educate our children about making good choices at a young age. Every school should have a program like this one — it keeps kids healthy and parents happy.”
Through the program, students learn about healthy habits from good meal choices to fun exercise routines. Trained Champion’s coaches provide students with a developmental and physical activity plan that incorporates basic sports performance training principles. The program focuses on establishing and improving students’ motor skills, including mobility, flexibility, posture, balance, position strengthening, and coordination. The exercises in the program are designed to increase physical fitness, build cardiovascular endurance and improve overall body composition. Brief meditation times are also included in most sessions to help reduce stress and improve concentration.
“Physical fitness is achieved through proper nutrition and exercise, and it plays a key role in overall health and wellness,” said Adam Faurot, CEO and co-founder of Titus Sports Academy. “Titus Sports Academy is proud to partner with Capital Health Plan and the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce’s World Class Schools to help kids in our community stay active.”
Another key element of this initiative is its well-designed evaluation process that measures each students’ improvements and overall progress through evaluations at the beginning and end of each semester. Some of the areas measured are Body Mass Index (BMI), hip to waist ratio, broad jump, sit and reach, 300-yard shuttle, 40-yard dash, maximum push-ups, and sit-ups.
“There are numerous studies that have linked high levels of physical activity with improved attention and focus and some show higher grades and test scores,” said Dr. Amy Neal, a Capital Health Plan physician. “We have evidence that at schools with a high rate of participation in the Champions Program, the students’ BMIs are reduced to healthier levels. At those schools, parents also notice their children have more interest in sports and physical activities.”
To enroll your child or for more information, please visit mychampions.com.
Capital Health Plan (CHP) is committed to offering affordable, comprehensive health care to its members. In over 35 years, CHP has grown to serve over 135,000 members in the Florida panhandle and has an extensive physician network that includes two exclusive CHP health centers that provide preventive, primary, and specialty care services. Based out of Tallahassee, FL, it is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. For more information, visit capitalhealth.com.
