Read Getting Set for an Active Nation - Sport New Zealand

12= Suicide Depression, stress
14 Osteoporosis Obesity, physical inactivity
15 Lower respiratory/tract infection Lack of vaccination, pneumonia,
influenza
Source: The New Zealand Herald 21/01/2000 graphic from information supplied by Ministry of Health
• “A comprehensive literature review conducted by a research team at the University
of Alberta indicated that since 1990, over 1500 scientific studies have been
published that positively link physical activity and health (CFLRI, 1995). Thirtyeight
different types of positive health outcomes were identified ranging from
symptom management of Alzheimer’s patients to pain control in osteoarthritis. In
that report, six major positive health outcomes were identified:
- The slowing of many forms of physical decline by up to 50%.
- Prospects for increasing social networks through active living.
- Enhancement of various cognitive and neurological functions of the brain.
- Early detection of disease.
- More rapid recovery following a bout of serious illness.
- Probability that the immune system will function at a more optimal level
thereby maximising protection against many serious ailments” (Canadian Parks/
Recreation Association, 1998, p.4).
• A panel of experts, convened by the United States Centers for Disease Control and
the American College of Sports Medicine, recommended 30 minutes of moderateintensity
exercise (such as brisk walking or cycling) each day to achieve the health
benefits from physical activity (Pate, Pratt and Blair, 1995). This signalled a
departure from earlier recommendations of three sessions a week. This approach
has also been adopted by the National Heart Foundation of Australia (Bauman,
Wright and Brown, 2000) and the Department of Health in Britain (1995). There is
reasonable evidence that the 30 minutes can be accumulated through several
shorter sessions (Lee, Sesso and Paffenbarger, 2000).
Cancer
• “At least a dozen studies have found a link between exercise and reduced risk of
breast cancer.” The latest, conducted by Dr. Inger Thune and others from the
University of Tromso, followed 25,624 women in the 1970s and early 1980s. After
an average of 14 years, 351 of these women developed breast cancer. Researchers
found that, after they took into consideration a woman’s weight, pregnancy
histories and other factors, those who got regular exercise (at least four hours a
week) developed significantly less breast cancer (Thune, 1997, cited in Canadian
Parks/Recreation Association, 1998, p.17).
• Physical inactivity has been shown to be a risk factor in the development of breast
cancer (Verloop, Rookus, van der Kooy and van der Leeuwen, 2000).
• Although the mechanism is not completely understood, there is a clear beneficial
effect of physical activity on the prevention of bowel cancer (Colditz, Cannuscio
Ministerial Taskforce on Sport, Fitness & Leisure January 2001 page 39 of 153