| Walk your way to better health
Walking is without doubt an effective way
of getting regular exercise and all the benefits this brings
into your life. This was the message from the Health Promotion
Agency for Northern Ireland in response to the recent publication
of research that suggested that only vigorous exercise was
beneficial in preventing early deaths from heart disease.
As Siobhan Weir, HPA Physical Activity Programme
Manager, pointed out:
‘Most people are now aware that regular, moderate physical
activity can improve physical and mental health on a number
of fronts. It can reduce stress, lower cholesterol, and help
to protect us from a number of major health problems such
as heart disease, cancer, stroke, osteoporosis and Type II
diabetes. It is likely that the more vigorously one exercises,
the greater the overall protective effect, but our major concern
is with the many people who currently undertake little or
no physical activity. In this area, research has shown that
getting people to take some moderate activity as opposed to
being sedentary is likely to have the greatest beneficial
effect on their health.’
She continued:
‘The challenge for the Health Promotion Agency is to
get this information to the public in a clear and accessible
way. We also have to find ways of motivating people to take
action, encouraging them to make sustainable changes in their
lifestyles that will improve their health. Our research has
shown that brisk walking is one of the most accessible, attractive
and sustainable forms of exercise available, especially for
those who have been fairly inactive or for whom more vigorous
or intense exercise is impossible or unappealing.’
‘So our message is quite clear. To protect
and improve our mental and physical health we need to get
at least half an hour of moderate physical activity most days
of the week. If walking appeals to you then get your most
supportive shoes on and… go walking!’
END
Notes
to editors:
- Moderate
activity includes brisk walking or any activity that makes
your heart beat a little bit faster, makes you breathe a
bit faster and makes you feel a bit warmer.
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