|
Annual survey shows we’re doing less exercise than a year ago |
|
|
|
Written by Richard Amery
|
|
Monday, February 02 2009, 3:48 AM |
As Olivia Newton John sang back in the ’80s, “Let’s get physical.” But getting physical doesn’t mean you have to knock yourself out running marathons or sweatin’ to the oldies.
“You don’t have to do it all at one time. Research shows doing a lot of little acts split into 15-20 minute blocks can be beneficial,” said Tanya Berry, research associate for the Alberta Centre for Active Living, which has just released its report on physical activity in Alberta.
Every two years, between April and May, the centre contacts 400 people of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds in Calgary, 400 in Edmonton and 400 in the rest of Alberta, including Lethbridge, and asks them a series of questions about whether they are active during their leisure time. Exercise can be as simple as taking the stairs instead of the elevator or walking to get groceries or simply walking around the block.
While physical activity has increased in Calgary to 64 per cent over 62.3 in 2007, it has decreased in Edmonton and the rest of Alberta. There are 56.1 per cent of people getting physical in the rest of Alberta compared to 63.8 per cent in 2007.
“It’s not a significant decrease,” she continued adding the survey also only took into account exercise in leisure time, not exercise on the job.
“People may be getting a lot of exercise at work so when they go home they aren’t going to the gym,” she said.
A lack of recreational facilities may also play a role in the rural numbers, she added.
“If you have to drive to a recreational facility and it’s winter and night, people won’t go,” she said.
Even simple exercise such as walking can be easier and safer in cities due to the preponderance of hiking trails and sidewalks compared to walking on a gravel road with no shoulder, she said.
“There are a number of factors at work.
An aging population is one of them, she said.
“The good news is most Albertans are active, this is about trying to get the other 40 per cent to be active.
Berry emphasized exercise is not just about healthy bodies; it helps create healthy minds and can help fight things such as depression.
While some findings were the same as in 2007, such as physical activity decreases with age and that it is highest among people with an annual household income of $100,000 or more and that it is highest among people with paid jobs or self-employed, there were a few new findings such as physical activity is highest among single people or people with common-law or live-in partners.
“That’s because a lot of them tend to be younger and younger people tend to be more active,” she said.
Widowed Albertans are more likely to be active than Albertans who have never been married. Perception of accessible fitness facilities plays a role in Albertans choosing to be active. Plus, 59.5 per cent of active Albertans seek out physical activity information.
The report’s results are posted online at www.centre4activeliving.ca/ publications/surveys.html.
|
