Introduction
Physical activity is not just organised or structured sport, it is any movement of the body that requires a person to use energy for a sustained period and increase their heart rate. North Tyneside has a range of community assets and services that support residents to be more active.
Physical activity has a wide range of physical, mental and social benefits that contribute to an individual's wellbeing, as well as wider benefits to society. It can reduce the risk of chronic diseases, improve cardiovascular and musculoskeletal (MSK) health, improve physical fitness and reduce storage of fat. Physical activity also contributes to the release of ‘feel good hormones’ known as endorphins and can reduce stress and the symptoms of anxiety and depression There are also social benefits as it reduces isolation and provides opportunities to build friendships and increase social interaction.
More widely, increased physical activity in the population can benefit the economy by reducing healthcare costs and improving workplace productivity and attendance. Active travel methods help people become more active, but they also promote a lower reliance on cars which in turn helps reduce pollution and traffic congestion.
The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) has made recommendations on the level of activity that each age group should take. This includes 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity (e.g. something that causes you to be a little out of breath, but you do not have to pause to speak) a day across the week for children aged 5-18 and 150 minutes across the week for adults aged 19-641 . However, any activity is better than none and adults should aim to minimise the amount of time spent being sedentary and, where possible break up long periods of inactivity with at least light physical activity.
In short, physical activity helps us lead a happier and healthier life and small changes can make a big difference to our health and quality of life. Whilst the evidence is clear that being more active is good for us, many people do not get enough activity in their day-to-day lives to realise those benefits.