Physical Activity and Strolling in the Stroud District Matt Pearce BSc, PgDip Healthy Lifestyles Development Officer Stroud District Council

Overview Why do physical activity? How much physical activity should we do? Active Peoples Survey Why walk? Strolling in the Stroud District Links to other projects

Benefits of Physical Activity Decrease in risk of Coronary Heart Disease Prevention or delay in the onset of high BP Improve mental health and general well being Lower cholesterol Links with prevention and treatment of lower back pain Increased energy Weight Management Improve suppleness and flexibility Lower risk of cancer Reduced risk of osteoporosis

How much physical activity should we do? The current recommendation for adults is an accumulation of at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity on at least five or more days a week. 1 x 30mins physical activity 2 x 15mins physical activity 3 x 10mins physical activity Moderate intensity exercises include brisk walking, heavy gardening, heavy housework, walking upstairs, cleaning the car etc. Every minute you walk adds between 1.30 and two minutes to your life – a return rate of almost 2:1 (Sport England) Walking one mile in fifteen minutes burns about the same number of calories as running a mile in 8.30 minutes

Active People Survey Nationally - 21% of the adult population (8.5 million people) take part regularly in sport and active recreation. South West – 21.9% take part in regular sport and active recreation Nearly 50% of adults have not taken part in sport/recreation of 30mins duration in the last four weeks Walking was the most popular activity (8 million people)

Why Walk? Health benefits Low cost, and no special equipment needed. Almost everyone can do it. You can do it anywhere, anytime. Start slowly and build up gently ‘Biophilia’ hypothesis Closeness to nature increases well-being, as well as increase likely hood of understanding of and care for nature, and its rediscovery can lead to transformations in people and nature (Wilson, 1984)

Strolling in Stroud Started in 2006 Part of the Walking the Way to Health Initiative ‘Proving individuals with the opportunity to increase their physical activity levels and adopt a healthy lifestyle’ Trained over 60 volunteers across the district via the WHI initiative Focusing on addressing health inequalities

The Website Search where walks take place by parish, time, day, cost etc Download over 40 circular walks from across the Stroud District Learn how to become a walk leader Benefits of walking Allows organisations to advertise their walks Sign up to receive regular newsletters visits since its creation.

Links to other projects Circular Walks Packs (pack containing 44 individual walks) Looking into developing walks using simple GPS system Healthy Lifestyles – Recommendation scheme Healthy Workplace Scheme Cardiac Rehabilitation Phase IV Pulmonary Rehabilitation Lifestyle Checks Stroud Walking Town Festival Cycling in the Stroud District Dursley Town Walking Festival Arlingham Circular Walks Programme

Matt Pearce Healthy Lifestyles Development Officer Stroud District Council Ebley Mill Stroud Gloucestershire GL5 4UB Tel