Helping to keep Australians active this festive season and beyond

Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) is urging all Australians to ensure they include some regular exercise during the upcoming holiday season.
The Association is highlighting that the summer holidays provide an ideal opportunity to include a brisk walk, a bike ride with friends, or even an active game of beach cricket with the children, when people are free from the time demands of work.
ESSA Executive Officer Anita Hobson-Powell says that the additional physical activity is particularly important as the festive season traditionally includes foods, which are high in fat and calories, which may lead to weight gain.
Hobson-Powell states "at a time when the nation faces an increasing incidence of chronic disease associated with obesity and inactivity, it is important for all Australians to take the opportunities provided by the holiday break to increase their levels of physical activity. The increasing incidence of obesity is associated with diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and cancer, as well as a number of chronic musculoskeletal conditions.
"ESSA encourages all Australians to put down the remote and rather than watching sport on TV, become an exercise participant this summer, which will assist in reducing your risk of developing a chronic disease later on in life."
Prominent ESSA member Kevin North, Professor of Exercise Science at the University of South Australia, adds "the national physical activity guidelines recommend that all Australians should participate in at least 150 minutes of 'moderate' intensity exercise each week or 30 minutes of continuous activity on most days to improve your health and well-being. Moderate intensity exercise can be defined as that which is able to be conducted while maintaining an uninterrupted conversation while walking briskly, cycling or playing social tennis."
For those who have a known health condition or have not recently been physically active, it is important that they seek advice from a medical practitioner or an accredited exercise physiologist prior to beginning an exercise program.
Starting an exercise and activity program can be as easy as including:
ï¾ An early morning brisk walk along the beach;
ï¾ An early morning swim at the local pool or beach;
ï¾ A bike ride with the family to the park for a game of cricket;
ï¾ Parking your car further away from the shops or taking the stairs instead of the escalator;
ï¾ Organise a game of tennis or golf to catch up with some friends.
ESSA urges Australians to have an enjoyable, but active holiday break and use the holiday to begin that exercise program you will continue as a regular feature of your new lifestyle.
ESSA is the peak professional body for exercise and sports science in Australia, providing national leadership and advocacy on key issues and supports its members and the community through fostering excellence in professional practice, education and training, and research.

http://www.essa.org.au