ESSA marks Men’s Health Week with launch of free eBook

With this week being Men’s Health Week – running until 20th June 2021 – Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) have launched their sixth free eBook, ‘Exercise & Men’s Health’ to help encourage more men to look after their physical and mental health.

ESSA's Exercise & Men’s Health eBook covers conditions such as mental health, heart disease, diabetes, substance use disorders, and sexual dysfunction, as well as other important topics for men such as exercising right as a new dad, for work, while playing sports, as you age, and checking in with your GP.

Anita Hobson-Powell, ESSA Chief Executive explains “only 17% of men are both sufficiently active and meeting the muscle strengthening guidelines. However, exercise plays a vital role in keeping Australian blokes healthier, happier and alive for longer.”

We know that men experience a range of health conditions and symptoms differently to women, whether it be severe depression and anxiety, prostate and testicular cancer, or increased risk of a heart attack or diabetes. The other side of the coin is that we know that men can struggle to ask for help, especially when it comes to their health.

This eBook aims to remind men that you don’t need to be a ‘gym junkie’ in order to gain access to the benefits of exercise and physical activity. While working out in a gym environment might suit some people, it’s not necessarily for everyone and there are a variety of ways to meet the physical activity guidelines.

Hobson-Powell adds “with 46% of Australian men also having one or more chronic conditions, with mental and behavioural problems being the most common, the eBook discusses exactly how exercise, when expertly prescribed, is a helpful tool in managing and preventing chronic conditions particularly for alleviating symptoms of depression and anxiety in men.”

Alongside the launch of this new eBook is the Exercise Right Men’s Health Week campaign which features interview-style videos with four inspiring Australian men who have used exercise to improve their lives, especially their mental health, with the help of an Accredited Exercise Physiologist.

Brett is a 42-year-old, above-knee amputee who started his exercise journey to improve his golf strength and abilities, as well as to look after his mental health due to struggling to cope after his amputation.

“Exercise has definitely changed my life for the better,” he shares.

Brett’s story, as well as Adam, David and Perry’s, are all moving reminders on the true impact exercise can have on a man’s health – doing a lot more for their health than just losing weight and growing muscle mass. View these stories on the Exercise Right website, as well as find out how you can win a Garmin vivoactive 4 Sport Smart Watch.

The eBook, which features these testimonials and more, is for Australian men, as well as their families, partners, children, loved ones, and anyone who knows a man living with a health condition that could be improved through simply becoming more active.

This free to download resource has been compiled with the help of ESSA accredited exercise professionals who work every day with male clients to provide not only exercise advice but also support and resources to improve their health and well-being.

Hobson-Powell concludes "whether you are ageing gracefully, have not played weekend footy since becoming a new dad, or struggling with poor mental health – exercise is for you. While it can be confusing to know how to start, what exercises are best, or whether it’s safe, this eBook has been designed to help answer some of those questions.”

Click here to download the Exercise & Men’s Health eBook or visit exerciseright.com.au for more information on the Men’s Health Week campaign.