Shocking Results from Exercise Study

An ESRC funded study conducted at the University of Bristol reveals the shocking truth about how Britons exercise, or don't as the case certainly seems to be. Here are the key findings:

• 80% of people do not hit national physical activity government targets
• 46% of adults had not walked continuously for leisure for 30 minutes
• 88% had not swum
• 90% had not used a gym
• 8% of adults who were physically able to walk had not walked for even five minutes continuously during a four-week period

"Furthermore, the findings provided evidence of a direct correlation between an individual’s education, household income and local area deprivation and level of physical activity. Those who possess a higher socioeconomic position have increased levels of physical activity and adults who are degree-educated were shown only to have a 12 per cent chance of being physically inactive, while those with no qualifications are three times as likely to be physically inactive."

Here is the link to the news item on the Bristol University site that includes the links to the research study.

The BBC reported on this too and the comments from readers are also very interesting, for instance, "it's pretty difficult when you need to be working the hours you have to work these days, and worse when the council is building on all the green spaces you might go for a walk/run/ride on."

It seems there is a very serious problem here, perhaps not right now, but what happens when these 'lazy' populations age? With this level of inactivity and the resultant loss of strength and balance, the implications for falls prevention are huge.

The fact is, even just a little walking every day can make a huge difference, check out this infographic (Thank you to Sarah Jarvis for this) that highlights the benefits of walking:

Looking fr inspiration on where to walk? Checkout WalkIt.

Do you know someone who doesn't get enough exercise? Can you think of any imaginative ways to get them up off the sofa? Tell us your story in the comments below: