Health alert to men who dodge exercise

ONE in five middle-aged men are completely inactive, a report has revealed.

Using the car to get around everywhere and giving up sport are the most likely reasons for men aged 46 to 55 to become idle.

Physical activity among middle-aged men is largely dependent on recreational walking and men have less time for it before they reach retirement, according to the Irish Sport Report, conducted by the Economic and Social Research Institute for the Irish Sports Council.

"Given the health risks associated with physical inactivity, especially circulatory diseases, the level of sedentarism among this group is a matter of concern," the report says.

On a brighter note, however, levels of inactivity among the inactive population have fallen from 18.2pc in 2007 to 15.5pc in 2005.

Higher participation in sport and walking are given as the reasons behind the increase in complete physical activity, with higher income groups the more likely to get involved in a sport.

Participation in sport has increased from 30.8pc in 2008 to 33.5pc in 2009.

ESRI economist and report author Dr Pete Lunn said that the findings of the report reinforced the link between income and participation.

"There is no doubt that the recession affected sport. Policy makers should note that cost and a lack of free time remain significant barriers to participation in sport," he said.

swimming

However, there has been a drop in the level of voluntary activity for sport between 2007 and 2009 with no real explanation offered for the fall.

Swimming is the most popular way to keep fit among Irish people, ahead of personal exercise and soccer.

During the height of the boom years, personal exercise did overtake swimming but only briefly.

Swimming was much more popular among women, while soccer and golf were popular activities for men.

More than half the population chose active methods as their regular mode of transport, with 42pc walking and 11.2pc cycling.

Launching the report, Minister for Sport and Tourism, Michael Ring urged sporting organisations to reduce their prices.

(for the Evening Herald 1st July 2011)