ASC and AIS back global Hamburg Declaration initiative to boost physical activity

The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) and the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) have announced their support for the Global Alliance for the Promotion of Physical Activity - known as the Hamburg Declaration.

First agreed in 2021, the Hamburg Declaration is an initiative of over 130 medical and scientific organisations, together with sport and government organisations, from around that aim to promote physical activity.

Renewed during the Sports, Medicine and Health Summit held in Hamburg at the end of June, last month, it represents an international commitment to take all necessary actions to increase physical activity and improve the health of individuals and entire communities.

The ASC and AIS’s support for the Hamburg Declaration is understood to align their strategic goal to involve more Australians with sport at all levels and their key focus area of advocating for sport and its positive influence on Australia.

AIS Chief Medical Officer, Dr David Hughes, who contributed as an author to the Hamburg Declaration, has welcomed the alliance, stating "this global collaboration highlighting the benefits of physical activity, not just as a healthy lifestyle habit, but as a proven medical intervention in a host of non-communicable diseases.

“We are proud of the work we do at the ASC and the AIS and the Hamburg Declaration is a global extension of this.

"If we can successfully increase the level of physical activity in the Australian community, we will improve quality of life measures, particularly related to physical and mental health, while also having a significant economic impact.”

The Hamburg Declaration has the support of major global bodies including the International Olympic Committee and the World Health Organization.

Click here to read the full Declaration in the BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine Journal.