PhysioQinetics

Happy New Year and welcome to 2019!

At PhysioQinetics, we understand how important physical activity can improve your motivation, mental wellbeing and help you achieve your goals in the new year.

In fact, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) just published its new draft quality standard paper last week and advised that local authorities should prioritise cyclists, pedestrians, and those who use public transport when building or upgrading new roads in order to encourage greater levels of physical activity.

NICE published the draft standards (1) to try to reduce the huge burden of physical inactivity, which is estimated to lead to 1:6 deaths in the UK and costs the NHS almost more than a billion pounds a year!

In its draft consultation paper for encouraging physical activity within the general population, NICE says that local planners should develop policies and schemes that prioritise safe, convenient, and inclusive access for pedestrians, cyclists, and people over motorised transports. This should include providing tactile paving and even surfaces for people with limited mobility, and non-reflective, anti-glare paving surfaces for people with visual impairments.

The draft standard does not suggest any alteration to the current UK guidelines (2) on physical activity, which recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity, such as cycling or brisk walking, every week.

So there it is – our new year resolution – to stay active and stay healthy for 2019! Have you had your 150 minutes of aerobic exercise for this very first week of 2019 yet?

References:

1. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Physical activity: encouraging activity in the general population. NICE quality standard. Draft for consultation. January 2019. www.nice.org.uk

2. . NHS. Physical activity guidelines for adults. www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise.