Featured Report

Community-wide participation
Exercise regularly and Stay healthy

Research has shown that it is both physically and mentally beneficial to exercise regularly. But busy urban dwellers often neglect the importance of exercising due to the demands of city life. With this in mind, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) holds the “Sport For All Day” event every year to promote “sport for all” in our community and to encourage us to balance our lives with sports and to make it a part of our everyday life by promoting the benefits of exercising.

Background of “Sport For All Day”

“Sport For All Day” has been held annually for 7 consecutive years now since it was first held in 2009, and the objective of this event is to encourage citizens to exercise regularly. On the day of the event, citizens are entitled to participate in sporting activities and use specific LCSD sports facilities across 18 districts for free to experience the pleasure of playing sports.

Summary of “Sport For All Day 2015”

“Sport For All Day 2015” was held successfully on 2 August 2015. Last year’s event was run under the theme of “Fitness for Health” to encourage people of all ages and body conditions to pursue a healthy lifestyle by doing simple physical exercises frequently. The event was well-received with more than 220,000 participants attracted by nearly 190 free recreation and sports programmes on the day of the event; more than 190,000 people used sporting facilities and the LCSD also opened many of their pools to the public for free.

Benefits of exercise

According to the World Health Organization, 6% of the worldwide annual death count is attributed to causes related to the lack of exercise. When compared with people who have the habit of exercising, people who don’t exercise regularly have a 23-25% higher risk of developing cancer, heart disease and stroke, and are more likely to have a life span that is 3 to 5 years shorter. Studies conducted by the Hong Kong Department of Health show that more than 60% of Hong Kong’s population do not engage in an adequate amount of physical activities and do less exercise than the WHO’s recommendations on physical activity for health. In 2014, more than 6300 and 380 deaths were caused by heart disease and diabetes respectively. Getting an adequate amount of exercise can reduce the risk of such diseases while strengthening your muscles and bones and improving weight control at the same time. It can also improve your balance and help to reduce depression and anxious emotions.

Exercise anywhere, anytime

It isn’t hard to have a strong and healthy body! All you need to do to gain life-long benefits is change your daily habits. Take some time to stretch your muscles and tendons. Try going for a short stroll after lunch, or take the stairs instead of lifts and escalators; do simple stretching exercises during work breaks, or do household chores while watching television at home. When you have time, hit the track and go for a jog or do simple stretching exercises in the park with your family as these have positive effects on your body and mind.

There is definitely an exercise suitable for you regardless of your health and physical conditions. All of us can make exercise a daily habit and disability is no barrier to this. Lifting dumbbells, working with resistance bands, or stretching at home are excellent ways to strengthen our muscles and improve bone density. Disabled person can even visit the PHAB Fitness Centre and train with training machines under professional guidance for both therapeutic and health benefits.

Recommendation for exercise in winter and spring

During winter, although the low temperature increases calories consumption, you should continue your exercise routine to improve your immunity and cardiac and respiratory function. Simple indoor exercises, such as fitness exercises, running on the spot, cycling on cycling machines, gym exercises or pushups are great winter exercises.

Spring is the best time to go outdoors, relax and enjoy the vibrancy of nature as the weather starts to get warmer again. Go outdoors and cycle around or fly a kite; you could even go for a stroll or a jog and breathe some fresh air to improve your metabolism and blood circulation.

No matter how much fun you are having exercising, please bear in mind the importance of warming up, drinking enough water, staying warm and cooling down. You’re only taking care of your health if you take care of your body’s needs.

Reference

Centre for Health Protection Surveillance & Epidemiology Branch Health Facts of Hong Kong (2015 Edition) [T]