Gallup study ranks Springfield 25th for communities with highest rates of regular exercise

(From the City of Springfield)

The Gallup organization has ranked Springfield 25th on its list of Communities with the Highest Rates of Regular Exercise.

The study conducted is an addition to the State of American: Well Being series. On the 2016 Community Ranking for Exercises report, Springfield, Missouri was ranked 25th in the nation. The report examines exercise in Americans across the U.S. and ranks the cities based on response and percentage of those who have exercised for 30 minutes or more a day, three or more days a week.

Gallup reported on its website that “nationally there is good news on exercise with rates of regular exercise at a nine-year high.” These rates vary by community but the top exercise communities show more 65% of their population exercises daily. Springfield reported 57.7% of the population exercised 30 minutes or more, three times a week.

The Springfield-Greene County Health Department, alongside the award-winning and nationally acclaimed Springfield-Greene County Park Board, are thrilled with these results.

“The Ozarks is truly a beautiful place to live with lots of opportunity to be active outside,“ said Director of Health Clay Goddard.

The Park Board is more than 100 years old and is accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Parks and Recreation Agencies. The Park Board offers 103 different sites including; neighborhood playgrounds, golf courses, sports complexes, family centers, botanical gardens, two aquatic centers, six swimming pools, a farm park, multiple school-park sites and a zoo.

Ozarks Greenways is another way to get outdoors. The Greenways offer 70 miles of trails and 72 miles of on street biking, walking and running trails.

The Healthy Living Alliance, in collaboration with these other entities knows that sometimes it can be hard to find to time to exercise. They encourage you to take advantage of all the outdoor opportunities that Springfield offers and to get outside. The HLA strives for Springfield to move up the list in next year’s report.

For more information about the survey:
well-beingindex.com

For more information about outdoor exercise opportunities
parkboard.org
ozarkgreenways.org