Your weekly physical activity bulletin

31 October 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 WHO guide for small and medium-sized enterprises highlights benefits of physical activity for workplaces

World Health Organization (WHO) Europe’s new guide aims to inspire health-enhancing physical activity within small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the WHO European Region. Every year, insufficient physical activity results in over 10,000 preventable deaths across the Region, and sedentary work environments are a huge part of this problem. Developed in collaboration with HEPA Europe (European network for the promotion of health-enhancing physical activity) working group on workplace physical activity promotion, the new guide is designed specifically for smaller entities, and recognises the challenges that they may be facing in comparison to their larger business counterparts.

Ninety-nine-percent of all businesses in the European Union (EU) are SMEs. They are often overlooked by health-promoting policies and initiatives and lack the resources or guidance to implement full-fledged physical activity programmes found in major corporate structures. However, recommendations in the new guide capitalize on one of the main advantages of the SMEs – their flexibility.

Too much time spent sitting down is a worrying health risk factor linked to heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes and other noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Together, these diseases are responsible for 90% of all deaths across the WHO European Region. Globally, increasing numbers of countries feel the need to promote more active lifestyles amid rising health concerns and awareness of the economic burdens of NCDs.

Swim England free 'Learn to Swim' flash cards in different languages

Earlier this year, Swim England launched new visual resources to support swimming teachers in England and abroad.

The national governing body’s Learn to Swim team has developed flash cards for learners and to help support a variety of learning styles. Having been created in English, the flash cards are now available in an additional 16 languages.

The translated resources are being provided in the hopes of supporting swimming teachers who may have a language barrier between themselves and their learners.

This work was started following a request from one swimming teacher who has recently started teaching two Ukrainian children and asked for resources to help. Since then due to the popularity of the flash cards, the team has received requests to provide them in more languages.

Ten ways to tackle gender inequality: understanding interwoven imbalances through sport

Sport is a valuable lens in which to view the world. It shows us the highs and the lows of human endeavour, often without needing to leave our front rooms. Sport rewards us with the most precious of gifts, such as a shared identity, a warmth in victory and a sense of belonging in defeat. But sport also teaches us that society is imbalanced. It is underpinned with injustice which makes it difficult to ensure inclusivity. So how do we tackle this?

Professor Hanya Pielichaty's, Professor of Sport, Gender & Inclusive Education, recent involvement with the Women in Sport Inquiry, led by the Department for Sport Media and Culture, allowed for a specific, focused examination of the issues impacting on women and girls in sport.