'˜Let's get physical' - Western Trust urges

Kieran Coyle, Active Lifestyle Officer, Roe Valley Leisure Centre; Lesley Finlay, Physical Activity Co-ordinator, Western Trust and Members of Best Foot Forward Walking Club Limavady.

The call comes as it emerged that around two thirds of people in Northern Ireland are failing to meet guidelines of 2.5 hours moderate physical activity a week.

A wide programme of events have ben organised locally to help bring people’s fitness levels up and improve their overall health in the process during Physical Activity Fortnight, which gets under way on June 6.

Among the activities planned are Zumba at Gransha, Aqua Fit at Foyle Arena, Boxercise in Clooney, a Waterside Walking Group, Table Tennis at Foyle U3A and a Couch to 5K at Templemore Sports Complex.

The Western Health and Social Care Trust is working in partnership with Derry & Strabane and Causeway, Coast and Glens Councils, community and voluntary organisations and workplaces to encourage people throughout the North West to get active over the fortnight.

Lesley Finlay, Physical Activity Co-ordinator with the Western Trust’s Health Improvement Department said:

“Our bodies are designed to move, so being physically active is essential for maintaining good health. Unfortunately only 35% of adults in Northern Ireland are currently meeting the Chief Medical Officer recommendations of 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity like brisk walking every week.

“Physical Activity Fortnight is about encouraging everyone to build more activity into their daily routine by simply sitting less and moving more. We are also challenging people to make time to be active by trying recreational activities.”

A full programme of the activities and where they will be is available online at: www.westerntrust.hscni.net/about/3330.htm.