Exercise and Sports Science Australia calls for more Government funding to boost physical activity

Referring to data that only 34.1% of Australians are meeting the physical activity and sedentary behaviour guidelines, Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) is urgently calling for the Federal and Government to implement a firmer strategy to increase these low statistics and keep Australians living longer and healthier.

ESSA Chief Executive, Anita Hobson-Powell advises “despite all the funding and strategies over the years at a state and federal level, nothing is working to improve these levels of physical activity and it is time to rethink how strategies are implemented.

“For example, currently, little to no funding has been made available to assist those who have not even contemplated exercise or physical activity to benefit their health.

“Minister of Health, Hon. Greg Hunt MP has commissioned the development of a national preventive health strategy, due out mid to late next year, as an outcome of the Australian Government’s Long Term National Health Plan. It is therefore imperative that exercise and physical activity becomes a key focus for this preventative health strategy.”

For this strategy to be successful in helping Australians live well longer, ESSA believes that their needs to be a strategy with multiple goals, including the development of a national physical activity plan with bipartisan support that is cross-sectional between government and industry. Advising that preventive health is just not a health issue, ESSA believes the strategy will also require “buy-in” from education, transport, social services and infrastructure as well as requiring a cultural change to encourage people to participate in physical activity – that will include exercise being seen as medical and preventative treatment, backed by corporate health incentives, tax incentives and priority within education.

With recent data highlighting that only 25.1% of over 65s meet the physical activity guidelines, ESSA’s current Exercise Right for Active Ageing (ERAA) project continues to be a significant investment in the health of our older Australians by helping to support behaviour change and participation rates.

The ERAA project is delivering evidence-based, affordable and subsidised exercise classes to older Australians over the age of 65 led by university-qualified professionals: Accredited Exercise Physiologists and Accredited Exercise Scientists.

Hobson-Powell adds “this project is a game changer in accelerating older Australians’ understanding of the benefits of active ageing, and the role exercise plays in maintaining and improving their health and independence. It’s more programs like these that require funding in order to see Australia’s physical activity improve.”

Image courtesy of ESSA.