Introduction

Being physically active is an important part of leading a healthy lifestyle. Young or old, physical activity brings with it a range of significant benefits. And the good news is activity doesn’t have to be vigorous – moderate activity, such as brisk walking, is great for your health!

Whilst health experts strongly encourage people to be physically active, the amount of activity in our day-to-day lives has reduced significantly in modern times. We now need to find ways to fit physical activity into our daily routine, and begin to think of activity as an opportunity rather than an inconvenience.

What is physical activity?

Physical activity is any form of bodily movement performed by our large muscle groups – going for a walk, cycling around the neighbourhood and mowing the lawn. Jogging and aerobics are more vigorous types of physical activity.

What are the benefits of regular physical activity?

People who enjoy regular physical activity tend to:

• live longer;
• be less likely to have a heart attack;
• feel more energetic;
• manage their weight better;
• have a healthier blood cholesterol level;
• have lower blood pressure;
• have stronger bones and muscles;
• recover better from a heart attack (should this have occurred);
• feel more confident, happy, relaxed and able to sleep better.

How much physical activity?

Some activity is better than none at all and more is better than just a little. Even if you have done no activity in the past, starting to do some form of activity can set you on the road to improved health.

The great news about being physically active is that it doesn’t have to be strenuous or vigorous. Moderate intensity activities (i.e. those that are energetic but don’t make you breathless) such as walking and cycling are enough for you to enjoy the resulting health benefits.

People who wish to be active in a vigorous way, for example aerobics, netball or touch football should continue to do so as these activities can provide additional benefits.

How often and for how long?

The Heart Foundation and other leading authorities recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity, such as brisk walking, on all or most days of the week. This can be accumulated in bouts of ten minutes or more if this is more convenient.

There are many convenient opportunities to be active throughout our normal daily routine. For example walking to and from work when buying your lunch.

National Physical Activity Guidelines for Australians

To help you make physical activity an important part of your day, the National Physical Activity Guidelines for Australians have been developed by the Department of Health and Aged Care.

The guidelines refer to the minimum levels of physical activity required for good health. They are not intended for high level fitness or sports training. Try to carry out all guidelines and for best results combine an active lifestyle with healthy eating.

National Physical Activity Guidelines for Australians, Department of Health and Aged Care.

Being active: how to go about it

Here are a few ideas to help you make physical activity a part of your day:

• get off the train or bus a stop earlier and walk the extra distance home or to work;
• don’t drive when you can walk or cycle just as easily (e.g. when picking up milk, bread or a video at a local store);
• encourage your family to walk together regularly;
• take the dog for a walk;
• meet family and friends for a bike ride around your local area;
• play a round of golf;
• get together colleagues at work and organise some lunchtime activities;
• meet a friend for a game of tennis;
• go for a swim;
• do some work in your backyard or garden;
• form your own sporting team with friends or workmates or join a club;
• walk to your favourite local restaurant or cafe for lunch or dinner;
• organise a family picnic and enjoy some activities such as a game of cricket or a bush walk;
• take the stairs instead of the lift, or walk up the escalator.

Being active, staying active

• Choose activities you enjoy; in that way, you will be more likely to keep doing them.
• Vary the type of activity you do, so that you don’t become bored with the one thing, therefore increasing your chance of maintaining your activity throughout life.
• Set yourself small, realistic goals for your activity for example tomorrow I’ll start with
  a 10 minute walk to buy my lunch.
• Set aside certain times of the day or one period that suits you to be active
  – you’re more likely to be committed if you schedule it into your routine.
• Be active with friends or a partner. This way you can motivate and encourage one-another and you have a social reason to persist. Another way of gaining social support is to join a club or a group.

Be active safely

Safety considerations for moderate physical activity

Most adults do not have to visit their doctor before commencing some moderate physical activity. However, for people with chronic health conditions (e.g. heart disease, diabetes), it is advisable to consult your doctor before starting your physical activity program to discuss the types of activities that best suit your needs.

• Choose clothes and shoes to suit the weather and type of physical activity.
  For walking, choose shoes with soft or shock absorbing soles. In summer, use sunscreen and wear a hat.

• Be conscious of temperature extremes – prepare appropriately for being active during both hot and/or humid climates and in very cold conditions.

Safety considerations for vigorous physical activity

• Always start slowly and at a low level. If you want to be active at a vigorous level, build up gradually over a number of weeks.
• Don’t overdo it. If you do, you could become exhausted, injure yourself and even lose interest.
• You can lose a lot of water through sweating when being active (even more so in summer). It’s important to drink plenty of water before, during and after physical activity.
• Avoid physical activity:
  • straight after meals or alcoho
  • if you have an illness, such as a cold.

If you’ve been inactive and want to begin vigorous physical activity, ensure you see a doctor first if:

• you are a male over the age of 35 or a female over the age of 45;
• physical activity causes pain in your chest;
• you often faint or have spells of severe dizziness;
• moderate physical activity makes you very breathless;
• you have a condition that gives you a higher risk of heart disease for example smoking, being overweight, having a high blood cholesterol or high blood pressure;
• you think you might have heart disease or your doctor has said you have heart problems;
• you have a disturbance of your heart rhythm;
• you are pregnant.

It’s never too late to start!

Research has confirmed that it is never too late to start being active. People of all ages can improve their health and well being by starting some moderate-intensity activity. The benefits start to occur as soon as you take up physical activity regardless of your age.

It is important to follow a few sensible steps during your activity.

If you feel discomfort, have chest pain, are more breathless than you should be, or your heartbeat becomes rapid or irregular during activity, stop immediately and seek medical advice.

Looking after your heart

Physical activity goes a long way towards improving your heart health, however,
it doesn’t cancel out your risk caused by smoking, high blood pressure and raised cholesterol levels. To maximise your heart health be active every day, be smoke free and enjoy healthy eating.

Heartline

You can find out more information about the benefits of being active by calling Heartline on 1300 36 27 87 during business hours. Heartline is the Heart Foundation’s national telephone information service. For the cost of a local call from anywhere in Australia you can speak to a trained health professional on issues such as heart disease and stroke, healthy eating, controlling blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking cessation, physical activity and heart surgery. see Heart Foundation website - Exercise

Text adapted from the Heart Foundation’s brochure Be Active Every Day, 1999.