Supporting a uK SucceSS Story: The impacT of - Research Councils ...

Lifelong health
Physical inactivity is a major health concern in the UK, costing
the NHS an estimated £8.2 billion a year. The national focus on
sport expected to be generated by the London 2012 Games
is set to reduce this financial burden as the health and fitness
sector grows. Recognising this, the University of Westminster is
currently researching the possible health and economic benefits
of active commercial computer gaming. The research is looking at
how recent developments in computer gaming units could have
widespread potential health benefits for people suffering from type
2 diabetes. The researchers will compare the amount of energy
used during active computer gaming as opposed to using more
traditional forms of exercise such as a treadmill.
Research at Glasgow Caledonian University has investigated the
benefits of exercise to older people. Researchers have assessed
which kinds of exercise older people should carry out to improve
their balance, and potentially reduce their risk of suffering a
debilitating fall. They examined 94 studies, involving over 9,000
participants, to identify a list of exercises that elderly people could
do at least three times a week to work on their balance. The
research found that practising Tai Chi, dancing and yoga had the
potential to improve balance. Meanwhile, cycling and walking,
although beneficial for general fitness, did not have the same
positive effects. The research team believes that the legacy of the
Olympic and Paralympic Games is not just about top-class athletes,
it is also about encouraging and maintaining lifelong health for
everyone.
Boosting international languages in schools
“The ‘Routes into
languages’ project
aims to reverse
the decline of
language take-up
by school pupils
at GCSE level
and above.”
One cross-university research project has been
looking at how university language departments
can help make the most of the Olympic Games.
The ‘Routes into languages’ project aims to
reverse the decline of language take-up by school
pupils at GCSE level and above. A number of
Olympics themed activities have been planned,
with local schools invited to take part in a physical
activity with a language element. At one such
event at Loughborough University, pupils were
asked to work on activities around creating and
marketing a pitch to an overseas team. They
were then asked to make the pitch in a foreign
language of their choice to a panel of judges. The
winning team won a trip to the View Tube by the
Olympic stadium.
SECTION FIVE : THE GAMES: past, present and future 63