Levels of physical activity across Europe have started to decrease in recent years. The joint host countries of UEFA EURO 2012 – Poland and Ukraine – are no exception to this.
What is physical activity?
Physical activity is any movement that raises your heart rate. It can be vigorous (e.g., sports such as football, basketball or handball), moderate (e.g., brisk walking or jogging) or light (e.g., yoga or slow walking).
Playing sport on a regular basis and adopting a physically active lifestyle, through walking or cycling to school, for example, are crucial for health and academic performance, as well as being great ways of having fun with friends and family.
Unfortunately, around the age of 16 activity levels often start to decline.
If physical activity is integrated into everyday life, however, it can have a very positive impact on health.
Activity used to be part of everyday life. In the 21st Century, however, technology has led to a decrease in activity levels:
• People use the car, bus or train to get to school or work instead of walking or cycling
• People use elevators or escalators instead of taking the stairs
• People spend increasing amounts of time in front of the television and the computer
• Parents are more concerned about letting their children play outside due to the risk of road traffic, and stranger danger.
Benefits of an active lifestyle
To understand the benefits of leading an active lifestyle, it is useful to be aware of the following facts:
A physically active lifestyle can help improve both your short and long-term health because it:
- Reduces the risk of heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers (most commonly breast and bowel)
- Improves cardiovascular and muscular fitness
- Helps build stronger bones, reducing the risk of bone fractures and osteoporosis (especially among females)
- Helps prevent obesity and excess weight
In addition, a physically active lifestyle can also help improve general wellbeing because it:
- Increases energy levels, improves sleep and adds fun to the day
- Reduces symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression
- Leads to better concentration at school and can improve academic performance
- Improves self-confidence
- Helps people find new friends
For more information on physical activity download the RESPECT your Health Guide.
