Actively for health on the National Sports Day
One in three residents of Poland over the age of 15 does not engage in any physical activity. Physical fitness of seniors decreases regularly, and the youngest generations do not move at all. Meanwhile, daily activity is the easiest way to achieve better health and well-being at any age. The National Sports Day on the 14th of September 2019 is to remind us about it.
In terms of physical activity, Poland has been below the European average for years, which according to the Eurobarometer 2017 survey is 71% of active citizens. The MultiSport Index 2019 survey shows that only 64% of Poles exercise at least once a month.
– The declaration of 18% of Polish residents over 15 years of age who could not remember even one day of the past week when they walked continuously for 10 minutes should be particularly worrying. In addition, almost half of us admit that they spend more than 5 hours in a sitting position every day. Considering the absence of physical activity, such a lifestyle will adversely affect our health and well-being – emphasises Adam Radzki, Management Board Member at Benefit Systems.
The World Health Organisation warns that a sedentary lifestyle is the fourth leading cause of death in the world. Therefore, one of the current challenges of WHO is to reduce the phenomenon of social immobility – at least by 10% until 2025 and by 15% until 2030.
The Poles are moving on the 14th of September
The National Sports Day is a nationwide initiative that aims at motivating Poles to engage in regular physical activity. – On the 14th of September hundreds of sports points throughout Poland will invite people to free trainings. There will be no better opportunity to start a new, healthy and active lifestyle – convinces Krystyna Radkowska, President of the “Zwalcz Nudę” Foundation, the organiser of the National Sports Day. One of the biggest attractions will be a family sports picnic on the grounds of the National Stadium in Warsaw, where between 12:00 and 17:00 everyone will be able to take part in dozens of free attractions, discovering various forms of activity.
1.5 hours for health
Experts point out that in the case of adults 75 minutes of intensive or 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week can have a positive effect on health. Children between 5 and 17 years of age are recommended to have at least an hour of planned activity each day. In both age groups, regular physical activity improves mood and cognitive abilities. It also limits the risk of many diseases of affluence, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension or obesity.
– Although health is the greatest motivation to exercise among Poles, currently only one in four Polish children and one in three active adults meets the recommendations of the minimum dose of movement for their age. In cross-section of the whole society seniors are the least active group – emphasises Dr Janusz Dobosz from the National Physical Activity Research Centre at the University of Physical Education in Warsaw.
Family dimension of activity
The MultiSport Index 2019 survey shows that half of active Poles still exercise alone. Only 8% of people who prefer to train when accompanied by others choose their children as their training companions.
– Family physical activity is conducive to building a healthy habit of movement among children, but it also helps break down the barriers and encourages seniors to exercise. Studies have confirmed that activity that involves many family members promotes long-term changes, both in terms of physical activity and better nutrition. Above all, physical activity can be a great way to deepen family relationships. Free time spent together in this way is of high quality. It is impossible to achieve this while watching TV or browsing the Internet together – says Mateusz Banaszkiewicz, health psychologist.
That is why during the Warsaw picnic on the National Sports Day a special family MultiSport sports and educational zone was prepared where everyone, regardless of their age, will find something for themselves. Adults and seniors will be able to check their body composition and posture or consult a dietitian, physiotherapist and personal trainer. In addition, devices combining movement with modern technology, including ICAROS, the equipment for exercising in virtual reality, will be available in the zone. For the youngest ones there will be special Active MultiSport Schools programme multimedia sports stations and inflatables castles and trampolines prepared.
Details of the event can be found on the following website: www.narodowydziensportu.pl.
