Australians to keep up the winter work-outs
June 24, 2014
With the cooler months well and truly upon us, Australian health initiative Exercise is Medicine is calling on Australians to beat the winter bulge and get active rather than going in to hibernation this year.
The calls come after the Australian Medical Association released a position statement regarding participation in physical activity last week, recommending all doctors should opportunistically advise patients and parents of the potential health benefits of increased physical activity, especially for sedentary children and adults.
Exercise is Medicine Australia (EIM) chair and Exercise & Sports Science Australia board member Chris Tzar said a little bit of exercise could go a long way, with regular physical activity useful as both a preventative health measure and a treatment for conditions like obesity.
“Regular physical activity is not only proven to reduce the risk of conditions like heart disease, stroke, diabetes and some cancers; it is also hugely beneficial in improving one’s mood and alleviating feelings of stress, anxiety and depression,” Mr Tzar said.
“Research indicates that physical inactivity is the principal cause of up to 25 per cent of breast and colon cancer cases around the globe, as well as 27 per cent of diabetes cases and 30 per cent of ischemic heart disease cases, so it pays to get active and heighten your chances of living a long, healthy life.”
“With these statistics in mind, EIM Australia is working with medical practitioners, practice nurses and a range of other allied health professionals to make physical activity assessment a component of every patient visit. By recommending physical activity where possible, we’ll begin to see an improvement in the public’s health and a significant reduction in the national health bill.”
The Department of Health’s Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines recommends Australians participate in 150-300 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity or 75-150 minutes of vigorous intensity physical activity each week.
Mr Tzar said while the cool winter mornings undoubtedly played a big role in keeping people in bed rather than heading outdoors for some morning exercise, there were plenty of ways to incorporate physical activity into a daily routine during the oh-so-cold winter days.
“Mix things up a little. Rather than heading outside on your morning run, hit the gym instead and exercise on a treadmill indoors.”
“You could also take the stairs at work rather than riding the elevator to your floor to sneak in a few extra minutes of physical activity while you’re all rugged up.”
Mr Tzar said before adopting a vigorous exercise regime, it was important that Australians visit a medical practitioner or accredited exercise physiologist for a health assessment.
“Accredited exercise physiologists can help to develop a customised exercise program to suit your health and fitness level,” Mr Tzar said.
“They are also really valuable in keeping you motivated and on track to achieve your fitness goals.”
To learn more, visit www.exerciseismedicine.org.au or to find an accredited exercise physiologist in your area, please visit the Exercise and Sports Science Australia website at www.essa.org.au.
Top tips for beating the winter bulge
1. Be flexible — We’re all guilty of hitting the snooze button on a chilly winter morning, so if you’re really struggling to get out of bed, then go ahead and sleep in! Consider bumping your exercise routine to the afternoon when the weather has warmed up somewhat and you’re already up and about and feeling motivated.
2. Stay indoors — If you’re a netball lover but hate hitting the court in the cold, consider enrolling at your local indoor netball centre instead. There are plenty of sports that offer indoor options, including volleyball, soccer and cricket to name a few.
3. Embrace the cold — Research published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise indicated race times in winter tend to be faster than those recorded in the warmer months. With quicker runs burning a greater number of calories, you’re likely to see better results if you can talk yourself into getting outside in the cold!
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About Exercise is Medicine®
As an initiative of Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA), Exercise is Medicine® aims to make physical activity and exercise a standard part of a disease prevention and treatment paradigm in Australia, improving community health and reducing long-term health care costs. The program hopes to make every Australian doctor consider physical activity and exercise as a standard part of treatment programs resulting in more people being prescribed exercise for either prevention or treatment of chronic conditions.
The three guiding principles of Exercise is Medicine® Australia are designed to improve the health and well-being of all Australians through regular physical activity prescription from doctors and other allied health providers. The guiding principles are as follows:
• Physical activity and exercise are important to health and the prevention and treatment of many chronic diseases;
• More should be done to address physical activity and exercise in health care settings; and
• Support the referral of patients to appropriately trained allied health professionals to deliver exercise treatment services.
Website: www.exerciseismedicine.org.au
About ESSA
Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) is the peak professional body for exercise and sports science in Australia and provides national leadership and advocacy on key issues. It supports its 3,500+ members and the community through fostering excellence in professional practice, education, training and research.
Website: www.essa.org.au
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