Your weekly physical activity bulletin

14 November 2023

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 Twitter @NCSEM_PAnews

New study reveals small changes in daily activity dramatically improves heart health

A ground-breaking study sponsored by the British Heart Foundation and conducted by Institute of Sport Exercise and Health (ISEH) and University College London (UCL) researchers, has unveiled the pivotal impact of making small alterations in daily activity on heart health. This was a collaborative study conducted in partnership with the University of Sydney. Led by ISEH’s Dr Jo Blodgett, and published in the European Heart Journal, this comprehensive research explores the connection between different movement patterns across a 24-hour day and its influence on cardiovascular health.

The study analysed data from six studies involving 15,246 participants across five countries to see how movement behaviour across the day is associated with heart health. Each participant used a wearable device on their thigh to measure their activity throughout the 24-hour day and had measures of obesity and blood-based biomarkers measured.

Their findings highlighted a clear hierarchy of behaviours affecting heart health, with moderate-vigorous activity offering the most substantial benefits, followed by light activity, standing, and even sleeping, compared to the harmful effects of sedentary behaviour.

Wales' latest sporting habits revealed

Despite significant improvements, there are nearly a million adults in Wales who aren’t taking part in any sport or physical activity.

According to the ‘Sport and Active Lifestyles: State of the Nation Report 2022-23’ released by Sport Wales, 40% of adults in Wales (998,000 people) said that they hadn’t participated in sport or physical activity during the previous four weeks.

The data, which was gathered as part of the National Survey for Wales 2022-23, also shows that although margins are closing, participation levels are still below average for women, disabled adults and those living in material deprivation.

But the survey did find that activity levels are generally higher this year than they were last year, and 39% of adults took part in sport and physical activity three or more times per week.

The survey also found that adults who participate in sport or physical activity three or more times per week reported having better general health, felt less lonely, had higher life satisfaction and were happier.

Couch-to-5k and parkrun support each other to keep people active

A recent research paper, published in Health Promotion International, has found that Couch-to-5k and parkrun work well together to help people begin and stay active.

Dr. Nicola Relph, from Edge Hill University, and colleagues, looked at survey responses from parkrunners across the UK. They asked parkrunners why they first went to parkrun and found that 5.5% of people who completed the survey said the Couch-to-5k programme was their reason for first doing parkrun.

The researchers then compared their answers to those who chose other reasons for doing parkrun. They found that Couch-to-5k parkrunners were slightly older, more likely to be female and work part-time. They were ethnically alike and came from similar types of neighbourhoods as other parkrunners. Importantly, the Couch-to-5k parkrunners had slower 5k times but did a similar number of parkruns per year.

#AndSheCycles Funding for schools and youth groups in Scotland

The #AndSheCycles campaign aims to address the barriers faced by teenage girls and young women when cycling.

This fund is open to groups of young women such as guide groups, school groups and youth groups.

The funding is available to help these groups develop and implement plans to help break down the barriers young women face when choosing to cycle.  

Up to £2,000 per group could be available to help purchase necessary equipment to help support more young women cycling.  

Workforce Insight Report 2023

The Workforce Insight Report 2023 looks at the UK sport and physical activity workforce post-pandemic and against a backdrop of the current economic challenges, whilst also analysing the skills needs for the future.

Utilising a richer set of insights compared to previous versions, this report provides a comprehensive update on the sector workforce changes and trends over the last three years with new levels of depth in terms of how diverse and representative it is of our workforce and where people work, whether that be for an employer or in their own business.

Despite the relentless series of challenges faced over a turbulent period, the resilient workforce has negotiated the immense pressures placed on it, and, as you will see from this new report, has been agile and has continued to progress positively.

You are receiving this email because you signed up to receive it either via the SSEHS Active website or the National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine (East Midlands) website. Read our privacy policy.