Why Physical Activity?
There is a wealth of evidence to support the notion that physical activity plays a key role in improving people's health and well being. The Sport & Active Recreation Team has an important role in promoting physical activity and the health benefits associated with it.
Physical activity is now considered to be one of the "best buys in public health" providing physical, social and mental benefits and promoting an overall improvement in quality of life to people of all ages, male or female.
Physical activity can:
- Help maintain a healthy weight
- Improve and manage certain conditions including
- Risk factors of coronary heart disease
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Asthma
- Arthritis
- Osteoporosis
- High blood pressure
- Improve psychological well-being and mood, and thus improve mental health
- Improve quality of life
There are also a number of practical gains to be made from participating in physical activity. It can help you:
- Sleep better
- Feel more energetic
- Stay independent
- Improve co-ordination and flexibility, hence reducing risk of falls
- Feel good about yourself
- Maintain independence
- Increase socialisation
Physical Activity Guidelines
The good news is that all these benefits can be gained from participating in regular MODERATE INTENSITY activity. Moderate intensity activity is exercise that makes you feel slightly out of breath such as brisk walking.
To add more physical activity to your daily life try:
- Taking a brisk walk around the block with family, friends, or coworkers
- Raking the leaves
- Walking up the stairs instead of taking the lift when it is safe to do so
- Mowing the lawn
- Taking an activity break at work or home. Get up and stretch or walk around
- Parking your car further away from entrances of shops, cinema, or your home and walk the extra distance when it is safe to do so
To see the range of physical activity initiatives we are involved in, please refer to the Sport & Active Recreation page.