Category Archives: Knowledge Base

How you can fight Covid Variants and be a Local Super Hero … “Regular, moderate to vigorous physical activity is associated with reduced risk of community-acquired infectious diseases and infectious disease mortality, enhances the first line of defence of the immune system, and increases the potency of vaccination.”  Effects of Regular Physical Activity on theContinue reading “PAAC – Physical Activity Against Covid”

Moderate physical activity is linked to thinking faster, increased attention span, improved problem solving abilities and improved working memory across all age groups. The effect increases with age. A single bout of physical activity increases cerebral blood flow and neurotransmitter (dopamine/endorphin) levels, resulting in increased levels of arousal, attention and effort, which in turn positivelyContinue reading “Can Physical Activity Increase Brain Processing Speed?”

There is a strong connection between social physical activity and self esteem. Self-esteem is not just high self-regard, but a natural high that we feel when included in groups. It is fundamental to psychological wellbeing and a key indicator of emotional stability.  High self-esteem is associated with a number of positive characteristics such as independence,Continue reading “How can physical activity increase self esteem?”

Intrinsic motivators – the ultimate in being happy, short, medium and long term. Examples include; exercising/ socialising with others, feeling valued, increasing knowledge, having autonomy (actual/perceived), knowing you are physically healthier, enjoying physical challenges. Extrinsic motivators – useful short term for getting started, achieving a short term goal, immediate encouragement. Examples include; free session, coffeeContinue reading “Intrinsic & Extrinsic Goals in Physical Activity”

From Sport England and Sheffield Hallam University … for every £1 spent on community sport and physical activity, a return on investment (ROI) of £3.91 was created for individuals and society. More than £3.6bn worth of savings were generated by the prevention of 900,000 cases of diabetes, while a further £3.5bn of value was generated throughContinue reading “Social and economic value of community sport and physical activity”

Providing knowledge to those taking part in physical activity means; Participants have more interest in what/why they are doing PT Participants have a another reason to come to sessions (to learn) Participants increase their confidence Participants are more likely to share the knowledge if they have something interesting to offer This help’s participants develop ‘KnowledgeContinue reading “Learning as an intrinsic motivator for physical activity”

Everyone has some level of fitness. It is important to keep it, not lose it! Weather you start small or already exercise, keeping fit and healthy is good for you, your family and friends, your colleagues and the local community. You will visit the doctor less, you will fight off any coughs, colds and diseasesContinue reading “Tips for overcoming common barriers to regular exercise”

The cognitive benefits of PA are highlighted by epidemiological, neuroimaging and behavioral studies. Epidemiological studies identified PA as an influential lifestyle factor in predicting rates of cognitive decline.   Neuroimaging studies documented attenuation of age-related brain atrophy, and also increase of gray matter and white matter of brain areas, including frontal and temporal lobes. These structuralContinue reading “Individuals physically active from midlife show a reduced later risk of cognitive impairment.”

Enjoyable and fun! – This is what adults between 50 to 87 wanted most from physical activity sessions. This study asked active older adults what motivated them to be active and asking inactive older adults what might encourage them to change. The study also noted the fact that both motivated and unmotivated older adults needContinue reading “Promoting physical activity amongst older adults…”

Did you know that physical activity is also beneficial for your mental health and wellbeing? We need to change the way we view physical activity in the UK in order not to see it as something we ‘have to do’, ‘should do’ or ‘ought to do’ for our health, but as something that we doContinue reading “How to look after your mental health using exercise”