Rivalry Goes Beyond Sports

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 30, 2012) — The basketball court isn’t the only place the Wildcats and the Cardinals compete. The second annual UK vs. UofL Moving for Healthy Hearts Challenge kicks off with a group walk at noon Wednesday, April 4, on the sidewalk between William T. Young Library and Rose Street.

The UK vs. UofL Challenge runs from April 4 to June 12. The university with the highest average steps per participant wins a traveling trophy and bragging rights. The University of Kentucky won the challenge last year, and everyone who sees blue wants to keep the trophy in Big Blue territory.

“The health of the UK community, as well as the health of all Kentuckians, is an issue near and dear to our hearts. We as a university and commonwealth strive to be number one in so many aspects. However, our rankings for health and physical activity are far from the best,” wrote UK President Eli Capilouto in a recent email to the campus community. He went on to challenge his “fellow employees to get moving for healthier hearts.”

According to the Partnership for a Fit Kentucky, only 29 percent of adults in Kentucky get the recommended levels of daily physical activity, compared to the national average of 45 percent. In addition, 35 percent of adults in Kentucky get no daily physical activity.

Walking is one of the most effective forms of exercise to achieve heart health. Walking for as few as 30 minutes a day provides heart-health benefits.

As an additional incentive, anyone logging 425,000 steps by the end of the challenge (any activity counts, the website will convert minutes to steps) will earn a free T-shirt. Any UK employee and their spouse or sponsored dependent is eligible to participate. Accept the challenge for the University of Kentucky by registering at www.uky.edu/HR/wellness/ukstart.html.