No images? Click here Your weekly physical activity bulletin05 March 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 Sliced Bread podcast - Fitness trackersSliced Bread investigates the latest ad-hyped products and trending fads promising to make us healthier, happier and greener. Are they really 'the best thing since sliced bread'? In this episode, science presenter Greg Foot discusses fitness trackers. Millions of us use fitness tracker watches to count how many steps we take each day - they also claim to tell us how we're sleeping and how stressed we are, as well as a host of other metrics. But how accurate are they - and are they the best thing since Sliced Bread? With multiple watches on each arm, Greg's being put through his paces at Loughborough University under the watchful eye of Dr James Sanders, Senior Research Associate in digital health for lifestyle. Leicester study seeks to understand ongoing impacts of exercise after weight loss surgeryWeight-loss (bariatric) surgery is an effective method which helps people living with severe obesity to achieve and maintain substantial weight loss and live longer. Exercise after bariatric surgery is an important factor which improves fitness, physical function (e.g. strength, endurance and flexibility), and health related quality of life. Recent research suggests that aerobic exercise after bariatric surgery (in people without type 2 diabetes) increases the bodies’ effectiveness to use the sugar in the blood (insulin sensitivity). Increased insulin sensitivity can cause episodes of low blood glucose levels in individuals’ post-bariatric surgery especially after eating and when undertaking daily lifestyle activities. This can contribute to a reduction in quality of life and cause weight regain. Current guidelines recommend that after bariatric surgery, individuals should undertake 30 minutes of aerobic exercise. However, there is lack of evidence on the effect of aerobic exercise on blood glucose levels. New research reveals that incorporating the Active Movement programme, a health intervention was successful in effectively reducing obesityA recent study conducted by the Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health (ISEH) has revealed that incorporating more movement into lessons resulted in an 8% reduction in children's waist-to-height ratio. Published in Obesity Facts, this research marks the first scientific assessment of how reducing sedentary behaviour in classrooms impacts obesity in primary school children. The positive impact on children's weight, irrespective of socio-economic factors, suggests that this approach could be a cost-effective means to enhance children's health. In this study, the researchers explored the effect of reducing sedentary time, rather than increasing exercise, on physical activity and obesity in children across 30 UK state primary schools. Teachers in 26 of these schools were trained to integrate Active Movement into lessons, while four control schools continued with regular teaching. Active Movement, a novel approach targeting child inactivity, integrates non-sedentary behaviour and low-level activity into daily routines. Combined action needed to end racism in physical activity sectorThe Sport England Chief Executive Tim Hollingsworth has called on everyone involved in sport and physical activity to play their part in driving racism out of the sector. Speaking as part of a panel at the ‘Time for action: Tackling racism in sport’ conference, the chief executive outlined some of the progress that had been made over the last four years, but admitted there was still much to do to tackle the deep-rooted issues that impact many people’s experiences of playing sport and being physically active. Hundreds of delegates from across the sport and physical activity sector attended the conference, which was run in conjunction with UK Sport and the other home nation sports councils. Held at the Mattioli Woods Welford Road stadium, home of the Premiership Rugby team Leicester Tigers, and live streamed for those unable to attend in person, the event brought people together from across the sector to drive forward our anti-racism work. New programme to put walking at the heart of Scottish secondary schoolsWorking together with the Universities of Stirling, Edinburgh and the Highlands and Islands, paths for all have secured funding from the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) and Active Scotland to design and develop a walking programme for young people, by young people in Scotland. The aim of the programme is to improve the health and wellbeing of young people by creating a culture of walking both in and around the school day. This programme will see young people participating in Step Count Challenges and leading walks for their peers while increasing awareness of the benefits of walking. In 2022, the proportion of 13 – 15-year-olds meeting the physical activity recommendations was 65% for boys and 43% for girls. The programme will be co-designed with young people and aims to empower pupils to be more active and healthier, whilst having confidence and enjoyment in the way they move and travel in and around school life. 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. 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. |