Aussies encouraged to get active for Exercise Right Week
May 14, 2014
With national Exercise Right Week fast approaching, the nation’s peak professional body for exercise and sports science, Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA), has renewed calls for Australians to implement a regular physical activity regime.
ESSA Executive Officer Anita Hobson-Powell said figures from the recently released Australia’s Physical Activity & Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines for Adults showed more than 9.5 million Australian adults were either inactive or report low levels of physical activity and this trend was being carried through to younger generations.
“It’s one thing to see that more than half our adult population is not engaging in appropriate levels of physical activity, but it’s even more worrying that Australian youths are following suit, with nine in ten 13-17-year-olds found to be not active enough,” Ms Hobson Powell said.
According to the Department of Health, Australians aged between 13 and 17 should participate in at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity every day and engage in activities that strengthen muscle and bone at least three times per week.
Ms Hobson-Powell said the increased physical activity would not only lessen the risk of disease and unhealthy weight gain, but had also been found to enhance self-esteem and improve concentration.
“Physical activity plays an instrumental role in healthy growth and development and it’s crucial that Australians start heeding the warnings and tacking action,” Ms Hobson Powell said.
“Something as simple as cycling to school or work or taking the stairs rather than the elevator can make a world of difference.”
“In fact, regular physical activity has been proven to reduce the risk of certain types of cancers, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and depression.”
Ms Hobson-Powell said the important thing for Australians to remember when starting an exercise program is to tailor their regime to suit their level of fitness and health.
“It can be dangerous and even fatal if you take on excessive exercise with a pre-existing medical condition such as high blood pressure or heart disease,” Ms Hobson-Powell said.
“The best course of action is to engage an accredited exercise physiologist that can work with your GP to help you reach optimal health.”
“These are university trained professionals that possess a thorough understanding of various medical conditions and can prescribe the best exercise program to suit your needs.”
“Medicare often provides a rebate for these services too, so your exercise regime can be designed by a professional without breaking the bank.”
Exercise Right Week will take place from 26-30 May. To get in touch with an accredited exercise physiologist or find out more tips for making physical activity enjoyable, visit www.exerciseright.com.au.
How do you measure up?
Are you as healthy as you think you are? This quick numbers test will help you see how you stack up.
• Blood pressure —Aim for your blood pressure to below 130/85mm Hg. A blood pressure of 120/80mm Hg is optimal. Many pharmacies offer free blood pressure testing.
• Waist circumference — A healthy waist tends to be below 102cm for men and 88cm for women.
• Walking ability — How far can you walk in six minutes? The average 44-year-old can walk 660m, 70-79-year-olds tend to reach 500m and 80 to 89-year-olds generally make 400m.
• Body mass index — To calculate your body mass index (BMI) simply divide your weight in kilograms by your height in metres squared. You can use the resulting figure to determine which of the following categories you fit into:
o Less than 18.5 — Underweight
o Between 18.5-25 — Healthy weight
o Between 25-30 — Overweight
o Greater than 30 — Obese
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Media contact — Kristen Roder, Fresh PR & Marketing
P: 0406 546 461
Email: kristen@freshprm.com.au
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