It’s in our hands

My view of exercise has changed quite considerably over the years. From the desperate days of school PE, to running a business in which exercise plays a key part, it’s been quite a transformation. That change started when I actually found something I loved doing which made me feel positive, strong, and empowered. It has continued apace, these days informed by the ever growing body of research that convinces me that it is truly essential for everyone.

The world’s population is aging rapidly. The consequences are far reaching, not least the physical and financial burden of age-related diseases both to individuals, as well as the economy as a whole. Extending the length of our ‘heathspan’, the years we spend in good health, and not just our lifespan is imperative.

The NHS is starting to realise this too. Unlike countries such as Australia which has adopted a more preventative approach to healthcare strategy, in the UK we have been focused more on ‘cure’. Dealing with conditions after they occur, not only costs a huge amount of money, but subjects people to taking medication or undergoing surgery which in some cases could have been avoided. I am happy to say that this is changing. There are some really interesting pilot schemes that harness the power of physical activity to remarkable effect, as well as an increasing amount of extremely compelling data. The numbers speak for themselves.

The Moving Communities study 2023

This study was one of the largest as it was based on attendance at public leisure centres. Data from 8.8 million leisure centre users was analysed across 818 sites. It concluded that as a direct result of participation in the various activities, over 28 000 conditions were prevented as follows:

** 12,946 hip fractures.

** 4,724 cases of depression.

** 4,368 cases of dementia.

** 2,685 cases of coronary heart disease

** 1,127 cases of Type 2 diabetes.

** 959 cases of stroke

** 229 cases of breast cancer

** 225 cases of colorectal cancer

Together, there was an estimated total saving to the NHS of nearly £400 million.

The Social Value of Group Exercise Report

A report commissioned by the Sport and Recreation Alliance looks at both the social and economic value of group exercise. The result: £5.3 billion in social value, as well as a saving for the NHS in the region of £511 million each year as well as releasing 1.6 million appointments.

Prehab4cancer

This is a programme based in Greater Manchester, designed to work with patients before during and after their cancer treatment. It uses exercise, nutrition and wellbeing interventions to amazing effect. Results were positive across all areas of fitness including cardiovascular performance, lower and upper body strength, joint function and, perhaps most importantly, quality of life.

Again the figures are astonishing:

Patients each spent an average of 36 hours less time in hospital.

550 ward bed days, and 146 critical care bed days, were released as a result.

To put that into context, the cost savings from the number of bed days saved per patient covered the cost of setting up and delivering the programme for a year.

Me Spot Case study

Working with women all of whom are over 50, the figures were a wonderful affirmation of what I have witnessed countless times. In addition to the physical, mental and social benefits that are reported, there are many women in the Me Spot group who have harnessed the power of exercise to recover more quickly from injury, illness or surgery. In some cases it has helped avoid the need for surgery at all. Margaret is one such example.

Margaret first joined the group when she was suffering with severe pain in her hip. She had seen a private consultant who told her she would likely need a hip replacement very soon. No other advice was offered apart from taking Neurofen and Paracetamol. Not content to go down that road, Margaret started to conduct her own research and found that movement was key, in particular walking. Having spotted us one Sunday morning out on the common, she decided to learn to Nordic walk and very quickly felt an improvement.

Realising the power of exercise, Margaret made it her priority. She committed herself to a regular programme of walking, stretching, and strength exercises focused specifically on her hip. Now, 9 years later, she is retired and living a busy and fulfilling life that is not limited by her condition. She thinks nothing of walking 15 000 steps a day as she powers around London! Her hip still sometimes gives her trouble, often when she drops out of her normal routine, but she knows what she needs to do to settle it down again. When I asked if, looking back, she would do anything differently, she came up with just one thing: more exercise!

Margaret’s story is incredibly empowering  and the outcomes from the various studies listed are equally encouraging. Exercise and movement are not just the key to living longer, but also so much better, and definitely should take their place at the very top of the priority list!  So if you were ever in doubt whether the effort you are putting in is worth it, you shouldn’t be again. And if you haven’t found a way to get started yet, it really is never too late.