Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Physical activity is vital for optimal health and that includes psychological as well as social and physical well-being.
Our bodies are expressly designed to move, perform and give us pleasure. Hundreds of muscles, bones, tendons, nerves and joints have all evolved for maximum efficiency and are all powered by the incredible engine that is our heart and lungs. When they all work together in harmony, when we feel truly fit and strong, not only are we protected against the greatest threats to our physical health -heart disease, strokes, diabetes and obesity – we also experience a unique euphoria that those happy hormones called endorphins bestow on our minds.
Those of us, including myself, who have enjoyed the pleasure of regular activity and sport over the years already know this.
Starting young and making physical activity a lifelong passion has so many advantages. Learning to swim helps to build confidence and teaches us about safety. Ball games improve hand-eye co-ordination. Running, climbing, dancing, not only keep us physically fit, but they are fun and exhilarating. Participating in group and team sport foster a sense of camaraderie. But perhaps, most of all, physical activity is the natural antidote to stress and fatigue, and the healthiest alternative to a doctor’s prescription.
Life, for me without sport would be dull. Work, for me, without regular exercise would be unthinkable.
I welcome wholeheartedly the Sport Consultation and the goal of making fun physical activity accessible and available to everyone of all ages and abilities.
And I encourage everyone to participate in the Sport Consultation.
Visit: bit.ly/SportingFuture to help shape the #SportingFuture