May 2019
The UK’s No 1 fitness industry magazine
Exercise can lower health risk of sitting AT LEAST 150 minutes of exercise per week could substantially reduce or offset the health risks of sitting for long periods of time. The research, led by the University of Sydney in collaboration with Loughborough University, found that by replacing sitting with physical activity – but not standing – reduced the risk of premature death among people who sit for more than six hours a day. The study also discovered that people who were physically inactive and sat for more than eight hours a day, had a 107 per cent higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. This is compared to those who did at least one hour of physical activity per day and sat for less than four hours per day. Professor Mark Hamer, of Loughborough University’s School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, said: “Our study explored the associations of sitting and physical activity, with premature death from all causes and death from cardiovascular disease. “This is important because in the past we have only considered how behaviours such as physical activity and sitting, independently impact on our health. However, this research
considers how these behaviours might work in combination to predict major health outcomes such as heart disease. These kinds of studies, such as ours, are very important to help shape future public health guidelines on physical activity. “Although the study was conducted in Australia all of these issues are highly relevant to the British population and beyond.” Sitting is often touted as the new smoking but it has been unclear if it is the sitting itself, or the lack of physical activity that causes the harm. Researchers found that meeting the Australian public health recommendation of 150 to 300 minutes of moderate intensity exercise (such as brisk walking) per week, eliminated the risks associated with sitting. As part of the study, nearly 150,000 Australian adults aged over 45 were asked how many hours a day they spent sitting, standing and sleeping. Participants were also asked how long they spent walking or exercising. Researchers examined data on physical activity and sitting, against death records – over a nine-year period – to estimate the effects of replacing sitting time with physical activity, standing, and sleeping.
No 308 £3
Clubbercise well-being research is revealed
Professional dancer and former Strictly Come Dancing star Flavia Cacace is a familiar face at a new exclusive PT Studio near Chobham, Surrey. White Cube has been designed with personal training in mind, and provides an affordable space for PTs to take their clients and develop their business. All the equipment has been carefully selected to cater for a wide variety of training methods. Despite only being officially launched in January, the studio has already attracted the attention of a number of world class personal trainers. Full story on page 17.
CLUBBERCISE, the fitness concept that’s taken the UK by storm since its launch five years ago, has published the results of a well-being survey which questioned 700 people about their mental health. An overwhelming majority, 86 per cent of respondents, said their mental health had improved thanks to attendance at regular dance fitness sessions, the most popular of which were Clubbercise and Zumba. The figures were released ahead of Mental Health Awareness Week, held from May 13 to 19. A company spokesperson for Clubbercise said: “Around half reported that their mental health had significantly improved. “The most common reasons for this included the music, the exercise and movement and the fact that it’s fun and enjoyable. “People also value the ‘me time’ away from sources of stress and anxiety, in a supportive, nonjudgemental environment.” Across UK, Europe and Asia around 80,000 attendees take regular Clubbercise classes, and there are more than 2,000 instructors.