Your weekly physical activity bulletin

07 January 2025

We are working towards improving the health and wellbeing of the nation through sport, exercise and physical activity. For more information on our work visit our website or follow us on X @NCSEM_PAnews

How even just 15 minutes in nature can boost your wellbeing

The average UK person spends just 7% of their time (or 86 minutes) outdoors during the work week. This is shocking to hear – but with our busy schedules, it’s no wonder many of us can only find a few minutes each day to get outside.

In this article published in the Conversation Research Associate Yvanna Todorova discusses the importance of spending time outside.

Spending time outside, particularly in nature, is important because it can help regulate stress, boost mental health, and improve immune function.

But the good news is you don’t need to spend hours outdoors each day to see benefits. Even just 15 minutes a day in nature is enough to boost your mood, concentration and physical health.

Experts in Sport: Safeguarding and interpersonal abuse in sport – the development and potential impact of the IOC consensus statement

The Experts in Sport podcast is a regular series that brings together experts from across Loughborough University with external thought leaders to discuss the latest research and hot topics in sport and academia with new episodes launched regularly.

Last month, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) reaffirmed its commitment to safe sport by announcing the release of its third consensus statement on safeguarding and interpersonal violence in sport.

In the latest episode, host Martin Foster is joined by those involved in delivering this initiative.

The panel, featuring Prof Daniel Rhind (Loughborough University), Prof Yetsa Adebodunde Tuakli-Wosornu, (Stanford University), and Kirsty Burrows (Head of the IOC's Safe Sport Unit), discuss the background to the consensus statement, its development, the overarching recommendations and what this means for wider stakeholders.

New study reveals exercising for 30 minutes improves cognitive performance with benefits lasting the next day

The Institute of Sport Exercise and Health’s (ISEH) Professor Mark Hamer, Chair in Sport and Exercise, was a co-author to a study exploring the effects of physical activity on memory improvement the day after exercise and the role of sleep in this relationship.

Physical activity is widely recognised as a key factor in preserving cognitive function. Regular exercise is linked to slower cognitive decline and a reduced risk of dementia, while also providing short-term cognitive benefits. On the other hand, sedentary behaviour, which often replaces physical activity, has been associated with poorer cognitive outcomes. Laboratory research suggests that the cognitive benefits of exercise are most pronounced within minutes or hours after activity, likely due to increased cerebral blood flow and neurotransmitter activity.

Physical activity - transforming lives and addressing economic inactivity

Over 9.2 million people (16-64 year olds) were economically inactive during the second half of 2024, which equates to just over 21% of the population. In this article Colin Huffen, Associate Director of Policy and Professional Services at CIMSPA, explores the role that physical activity plays in addressing this issue, something which is integral to the government’s plans for economic growth.

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