A National Fitness Day survey has found that 75% of British people underestimate the recommended levels of necessary physical activity. More than 50% of people are motivated to do physical activity for the sake of their mental health. In over 2000 people surveyed, without an understanding of recommended levels, physical activity isn’t as impactful.
The recommended national guidelines state that adults should have 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise a week, yet more than 75% thought only 90 minutes was sufficient. There are however positive findings showing that 86% of people understand the preventative effects of exercise for illness and injuries.
ukactive has pointed out that nearly a quarter of the respondents were also awaiting treatment on the NHS. There are several illnesses and long-term conditions that can be reduced or managed with physical activity, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and some cancers. Reducing the pressure on the NHS with preventative medicine, such as physical activity, would be a powerful example of its impact.
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