2004 IRISH SCIENTIST YEAR BOOK

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University of Limerick
Ciar�n Mac Donncha
Physical activity levels in Ireland

Participation in physical activity

A stated aim of the National Health Promotion strategy 2000�2005 is to increase participation in regular, moderate physical activity. The World Health Organisation has recently reported:

  • �Over 60% of the world population is not active (sedentary) or not active enough to gain health benefits;

  • �Physical activity declines significantly with age during adolescence;

  • �Physical inactivity is generally higher among girls and women;

  • �Physical inactivity is now seen as one of the key health threats, even greater than smoking, to worldwide population health.

The National Health and Lifestyles Surveys (2003) found that 51% of the adult population (18 years +) do some form of physical activity three or more days of the week. The number of males who report no activity at all increased from 21% in 1998 to 30% in 2002; corresponding figures for females are 20% to 25%. The statistic, which is of greatest concern, is the decrease in activity (defined as being active four or more times per week) with age, 59% of 10-11 year olds to 35% of 15-17 year olds. Only 25% of 15-17 year old girls are active.

Research at the University of Limerick has examined physical activity levels in female adolescents (n=28, age 12-15 years) using daily heart rate monitoring. This is a more accurate method of assessment than a survey. This research requires the participant to wear a heart rate monitor for at least 12 hours of the day, 4 days of one week. International guidelines recommend that all children and adults should set a long term goal to accumulate at least 30 minutes or more of moderate intensity physical activity on most, or preferably all, days of the week. Moderate intensity activity is defined as a heart rate greater than 140 bpm. Only 2 (7%) individuals reached this guideline. Similar findings have been reported in the UK.

It is clear from the statistics presented that the vast majority of the Irish population (all ages) do not partake in sufficient levels of physical activity to maintain or enhance health. The impact of inactivity can be seen in recent Irish obesity trends, with a total of 57% of the Irish population aged between 18-64 overweight, and 18% of these are obese. The key question now is what is required to reverse this trend.

Contact: Dr Ciar�n Mac Donncha, Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Limerick;
Tel: +353-61-213162; E-mail: [email protected]