Are you a regular walker? If so, you may be in the minority according to a new study.
Sport and Recreation Minister Terry Waldron says he was very concerned about the results of latest research conducted by the Physical Activity Taskforce, which revealed a decline in the number of West Australian adults walking for recreation and transport.
“I am very concerned about the results which show a nine percent decline since 1999 of people walking for recreation and 10 per cent less since 2006 walking for transport,” he says.
The findings from the 2009 WA Physical Activity Survey show only half of physically active adults walked more than 10 minutes for recreation and one in five walked more than 10 minutes for transport in the previous week.
The survey also showed a corresponding decline in the use of local footpaths and streets for physical activity.
The Minister says he is very concerned about the results as walking was a key indicator of how active communities were, because it was the easiest, cheapest, most accessible and popular form of physical activity.
“Walking for recreation or as a form of transport other than the car, has many benefits for the health and wellbeing for the walker and also creates less congestion on the roads and less pollution for the community,” he says.
“We are very concerned about these latest findings, and believe a concerted effort to increase walking is required across all levels of government and community.
“With Western Australia’s growing population and increasing pressures on existing infrastructure, we need to encourage people to walk more, to build walk-friendly environments and make it habit forming to walk rather than use the car.”
Heart Foundation senior manager of physical activity Clover Maitland says it is vital to find at least 30 minutes a day to exercise.
“Finding 30 minutes of physical activity a day, such as walking, is one of the best things you can do for your physical, social and mental health; and it’s as easy as walking out of your door and into your local neighbourhood,” he says.
“We are very concerned about these latest findings, and believe a concerted effort to increase walking is required across all levels of government and community.
“With Western Australia’s growing population and increasing pressures on existing infrastructure, we need to encourage people to walk more, to build walk-friendly environments and make it habit forming to walk rather than use the car.”
Heart Foundation senior manager of physical activity Clover Maitland says it is vital to find at least 30 minutes a day to exercise.
“Finding 30 minutes of physical activity a day, such as walking, is one of the best things you can do for your physical, social and mental health; and it’s as easy as walking out of your door and into your local neighbourhood,” he says.
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