Your weekly physical activity bulletin

03 September 2024

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

Public Lecture: London 2012 to Paris 2024: How important is social legacy at major international events?

The term legacy means many different things, in the events context it has been used to describe the positive (and negative), planned (and unplanned), tangible (and intangible) impacts an event can leave behind.

For over a decade, Verity Postlethwaite has developed research on the understandings and governance of legacy, with a focus on how communities in the UK and Japan have used the hosting of events as a catalyst for social change. She will share some of her experiences and research to raise important debates and ongoing questions around the value of events and the value of using the term legacy. This reflective approach will be used throughout the talk and audience members will be encouraged to think about their own memories and experiences from major international events and what legacy means to them.

This public lecture will be delivered in person and online on 10th September 2024 12:30-13:30, when booking please indicate how you will be accessing the talk.

Eddie Hall case study: Scientists investigate the secrets behind former World’s Strongest Man winner’s super strength

Scientists from Loughborough University have been able to investigate the phenomenal power of former World’s Strongest Man winner and deadlift champion, Eddie Hall.

Following a visit by Eddie to the University to undergo a series of strength tests and MRI scans, experts compared his muscle and tendon structure to that of various other athletic, trained and untrained populations.

The research has enabled the team to investigate the factors that have contributed to Eddie’s extreme strength, and better understand how all populations can change and develop muscular systems to improve the function and performance of muscles.

A 10 minute walk a day could add a year to your life – study finds

A longer, healthier life could be as little as a ten-minute walk away, according to the findings of a new study conducted by researchers funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Leicester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) at the University of Leicester.

The findings of the study, published in the Journal of Sport and Health Science, suggest that adding the equivalent of a ten-minute brisk walk to the daily routine for inactive men and women aged 60 and above  was associated with a noticeable increase in life expectancy.  

The study was carried out by comparing findings from existing studies on the UK Biobank medical database.  Data from 40,953 women (with an average age of 61.9 years) and 30,820 men (average age of 63.1) were included in this analysis, taken from studies where physical activity had been objectively measured by an accelerometer worn on participants' wrists. This was then analysed to provide life expectancy statistics.  

Funding announced to help develop inclusive talent pathways

After Team GB departed Paris 2024 with 65 medals and ParalympicsGB currently competing, Sport England is investing £120 million into funding the next generation of Olympic and Paralympic talent.  

The funding will increase and enhance opportunities for talented young athletes in England to explore and develop their athletic potential – regardless of their background or financial circumstances. 

It’ll support athletes starting out in grassroots environments, as well as those already on talent pathways – formal high-performance sport programmes – and will be available for the 2025 to 2029 funding cycle.

The funding is being delivered by Sport England's existing partnerships with more than 70 sports organisations, which includes the turbo-charging of the Backing the Best programme, run by SportsAid, with a further £1.5m of National Lottery funding.

Walking football in Portugal adds life to years

Portugal is exploring new ways to use sports to make people’s lives more fulfilling and healthier. Walking football teams empower older adults to join a game that increases physical activity levels, protects from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and creates a vital community bringing together different generations.

A wealth of scientific evidence supports the multiple health benefits of regular physical activity. It protects people from many NCDs, reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes and obesity.

WHO recommends at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity per week for all adults, and walking football is a great way to keep the body fit, while having fun.

Government not on track to meet walking targets

The Government published its second Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy (CWIS2) in July 2022, aimed at making walking and cycling the natural choices for short journeys. In it, there is a target of 365 walking ‘stages’  per person per year. However, the National Travel Survey 2023 shows that in 2023, people in England walked just 325 stages. This is up by only seven stages from the previous year, and still below the 347 stages achieved in 2018.  

The Government also has a target in the CWIS2 for 55 per cent of primary school aged children walking to school by 2025. The new data shows that the number of 5–10-year-olds who normally walk to school has remained the same as the previous year at 49 per cent. 

PE access ‘failing’ disabled children as 320,000 don’t get 30 minutes exercise a day

Charities have warned that 'deep-rooted inequalities' must be overturned for the Paralympics to set a meaningful legacy.

Access to PE is failing children with special needs and disabilities, as around 320,000 do not get enough exercise.

A ParalympicsGB spokesperson said all disabled children must "Have the opportunity to take part in PE and sport at school”, and teachers and schools must be empowered to deliver “Inclusive PE and sport for all children”.

#PeriodsAreNotAPenalty campaign

WUKA, a reusable period underwear brand, has started a new campaign to urge the government to extend the VAT exemption to all period-proof sportswear.

Last year, following five years of campaigning, the government responded to calls to remove VAT on period underwear. However, period swimwear and sportswear are still subject to 20% tax. Tampons, pads and now underwear are VAT exempt.

Through WUKA’s work with schools and as official period partners of Welsh Rugby Union, Watford FC and Scottish Gymnastics, they know the burden of managing periods, coupled with the additional cost of specialised sportswear, deters many from staying active. Research from Women in Sport shows 78% of girls avoid sports during their periods, and 65% drop out of sports by age 16 - double the rate of boys. This significant issue affects women and girl's participation in sport and creates unnecessary social, physical and financial barriers, particularly young athletes with periods.

The weekly physical activity bulletin in a summary of news stories that appear across the physical activity sector. The National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine is not responsible for the content of external sites.

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