May 22-28 is National Exercise Right Week. It is promoted by the nation’s peak professional body for exercise and sports science, Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA), which continues to push for Australians to implement a regular physical activity regime.
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More than half of all Australians are not active enough. In fact, the Australian Health Survey 2011-12 indicates that 60 per cent of Australian adults did less than the recommended 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity per day.
The consequences are significant with The World Health Organisation ranking physical inactivity as the fourth leading risk factor for global mortality.
Compounding the issue is the fact that more than 63 per cent of Australians are overweight or obese and 50 per cent suffer (30 per cent having two or more) from a chronic condition such as diabetes, arthritis or hypertension, and the trend continues to spiral upwards.
The medical benefits of exercise prove beyond doubt why all Australians should heed the call to be more active.
In fact, exercise can:
- Counter diabetes from the inside out
- Delay the aging process
- Delay Alzheimer’s and Parkinson disease
- Aid in weight loss and maintenance
- Help reduce depression and anxiety as well as improve mood
- Improve sleep
- Strengthen bone density and prevent osteoporosis
- Improve or prevent heart failure and stroke
- Improve brain function through more oxygen to the brain
- Improve fertility
- Strengthen muscles, bones and joints
- Look and feel better
- Improve cardiovascular health
When it comes to exercise, there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach. It’s important to exercise right for your uniqueness – right professional, right place, right time.
The important thing to remember when starting an exercise program is to tailor their regime to suit your level of fitness and health.
The best course of action is to engage an Accredited Exercise Physiologist that can work with your GP and other allied health professionals to help you reach optimal health.
To find out more about Exercise Right Week simply visit http://exerciseright.com.au/
Rob Battocchio is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist. He can be contacted via rob@aquathon.com.au
