March news update
Here at KiActiv®, we are constantly looking towards the latest research to innovate and progress our programmes. Being guided by the literature not only enables us to continue to adapt internally, but also helps us to highlight the ever-evolving benefits of everyday activity, ensuring that you can fully appreciate the positive impact that your increased activity is having on your health!
As a result, we have collated some of the most interesting, cutting-edge research pieces published this month to afford you a wider insight into everything from your general wellbeing and physical health to your cognitive and mental health too.
- Guidance for Long Term Conditions: New guidance published this month aims to support people with long-term health conditions to be more physically active. The 5Is have been designed to identify what makes a positive physical activity experience for those with long-term health conditions. They stand for: Individualised, Integrated, Influencers, Inclusive and Informed. Using the 5Is can help those with long term health conditions overcome any barriers they might face in regard to physical activity, and allow them to take control of their health. You can read the full guidance here.
- Diabetes & Dementia: Regular physical activity was found to be independently associated with a decreased risk of all-cause dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and vascular dementia among patients with new-onset type 2 diabetes, according to the results of a study published in Diabetes Care. “These findings suggest that regular physical activity should be encouraged to prevent dementia in high-risk populations and those with recent-onset type 2 diabetes,” the study authors stated. You can read more here.
- Mental Health: In the first year of the pandemic, global anxiety and depression rates increased by 25%, according to the WHO. Physical activity can support mental health by reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression as well as causing beneficial molecular changes. Most importantly, there is no one activity that you must do to gain these benefits, it is all about what the individual finds satisfying and doable. It doesn’t take much to make a big impact. Click here to read the full article.
- Occupational Activity: An editorial has been published that suggests that occupational physical activity alone is not enough to keep us healthy. High work demands may be the reason many people are reluctant to participate in any kind of physical activity outside of work. However, high work demands are not consistent with the recommendations from international guidelines for adequate intensity, frequency, and volume to gain the positive changes in aerobic capacity, physical strength, and flexibility. Therefore, it is important to remain physically active in your free time too. You can read the full comment here.
- Physical Activity & Sleep: A week of physical inactivity has the same negative mental impact as a week of broken sleep, a study by sports equipment company Asics has concluded. When active people stopped exercising, they saw decreases in confidence levels by 20%, positivity by 16%, energy levels by 23% and the ability to cope with stress by 22%. These same participants experienced immediate improvements in their state of mind after resuming their regular activity levels. Click here to watch a video about the study.
At KiActiv® we always aim to provide our clients with the best advice based off the latest scientific research. We hope this insight into some recent studies can help you when it comes to physical activity and making choices to improve your health.
