Author Archives: Healthy Active

Physical Activity research did not gather full steam until landmark scientific consensus meetings in 1984 (Atlanta) and 1988 (Toronto). These landmark meetings resulted in scientific consensus statements summarizing the world’s knowledge about exercise, fitness, and health. The widespread impact of these meetings, as well as a rapidly growing knowledge base, led to key documents beingContinueContinue reading “When did we realise Physical Activity was important for public health?”

It was not until the years between the U.S. Civil War (1861-1865) and World War I (1914-1918) that physicians became proponents of exercise to promote good health. Their influence formed the basis for our present-day acceptance of the relationship between exercise and a more rewarding and healthier life. Until now such teachings were based onContinueContinue reading “When did we discover that Physical Activity was good for our health?”

During the Middle Ages in Europe, when the influence of Greek writings was obscured awaiting their rediscovery in the Renaissance, the Greek medical tradition of using exercise was preserved by the Arabs and later translated from Arabic into Latin medical manuals. It was in the 14th century, during the renaissance, that Italian scholars renewed interestContinueContinue reading “Physical Activity in the Middle Ages”

Physical activity emerged as a new field of study about 70 years ago and has only grown to include public health intervention during the past 35 years as our knowledge and understanding has grown. However, the ideas that underlie the field of physical activity aren’t new but are actually based on theories and teachings fromContinueContinue reading “The Ancient practice of Physical Activity”

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that physical inactivity is the fourth leading risk factor for global mortality and is responsible for around 3.2 million deaths a year, of which 670,000 of these are premature. Physical inactivity is a modifiable risk factor for: Cardiovascular diseaseType II DiabetesColon and Breast cancerBone and joint diseases (Osteoporosis &ContinueContinue reading “5 Reasons why Physical Activity is good for you”