It’s well known, the practice of a regular physical activity is crucial for maintaining good physical and mental health. Indeed, the World Health Organization (WHO) recalls that exercise improves cardiorespiratory capacity, bone healthhelps maintain a healthy body weight, and reduces the risk of many diseases such as cardiovascular illnessesdiabetes, certain cancers, or even the Depression. According to the health authority,are people who have insufficient activity would see their risk of death increased by 20 to 30% compared to others.
This is why the WHO recommends that adults do at least 150 to 300 minutes per week of moderate-intensity endurance exercise and between 75 and 150 minutes of sustained-intensity endurance activity. But if the frequency of physical activity is important to benefit from its health benefits, the location of the practice could also play a role.
Physical exercise: practicing it in nature would reduce the risk of many chronic diseases
This is what observed a study from the University of Exeter (Great Britain) published on April 19 in the journal Environment International. Son but ? Estimate the possible annual savings thanks to the health benefits associated with physical activity in a natural environment, on the year 2019 in England. In summary, the researchers attempted to estimate the number of cases of six non-communicable diseases, i.e. type 2 diabetesischemic heart disease, ischemic stroke, colon cancer, breast cancerand major depressive disorder, avoided through physical exercise in nature, such as in parks, gardens, or forests.
At the end of the study, scientists noted that outdoor sporting activities practiced by English adults in 2019 would have prevented more than 12,000 cases of the six non-communicable diseases studied, representing a saving of £108.7 million for English healthcare facilities. “Although we focused on six of the most common noncommunicable diseases, There are several less common diseases that can be prevented by physical activity, including other types of cancer and mental health problems“added James Grellier, one of the authors of this work, in a press release.
These results should encourage the practice of physical activity in nature according to scientists
According to the study’s researchers, these discoveries are essential for preventing the onset of numerous chronic diseases in adults practicing sporting activity, but also for reducing expenses linked to these very costly diseases. “For people who do not have the access, desire or confidence to participate in organized sports or fitness activities, physical activity in nature is a much more widely available and informal option”, added James Grellier regarding the benefits of physical activity in a natural environment. He concludes that this “study should motivate policymakers seeking to increase physical activity among the local population to invest in natural spaces, such as parks, in order to facilitate physical activity”.
Sources :
- Valuing the health benefits of nature-based recreational physical activity in England – Environment International – 19 avril 2024
- Physical activity in nature helps prevent several diseases, including depression and type 2 diabetes – University of Exeter – 25 avril 2024
- Physical activity – World Health Organization
