Today is the fourth in our eight part series looking at the eight Action Areas identified in the National Physical Activity Plan for Ireland.
The eight areas have been given 60 items on which progress will be measured and monitored so as to drive at a 1% annual increase in people meeting the national recommended physical activity guideline of 60 minutes for children and 30 minutes a day for adults, and to reduce by 0.5% a year the numbers of sedentary people who do not take any physical activity. The eight areas are:
- Public Awareness, Education and Communication
- Children and Young People
- Health
- Environment
- Workplaces
- Sport and physical activity in the community
- Research, Monitoring and Evaluation
- Implementation through partnership
Walking and cycling as part of an active approach to transport are two of the easiest ways for people to work physical activity into their daily lives.
Our ability to use them is dependent on our own motivation but also on making sure that it is safe to do so and can be done without major fuss.
The creation of additional cycle lanes has made good progress in recent years though some city centre streets remain hazardous. There is though a National Cycle Policy Framework already published and being implemented by Government and the National Physical Activity Plan highlights the importance of maintaining this.
The aim to reduce sedentarism will be best achieved by moving people out of their cars for shorter manageable journeys. This will of course be easier to accomplish in urban areas but as that is where the bulk of the population is that is not a bad place to start.
Planning and the built environment is generally the responsibility of local authorities and it is here that the burden lies when it comes to the actions listed under this heading in the plan.
Promotion and planning for cycling and walking are high on the list as is the provision of local and regional parks to encourage physical activity.
The Department of the Environment is charges with developing a programme of continuous professional development for those involved in planning at local level and for prioritising walking and cycling infrastructure.
The Department responsible for sport is to explore opportunities to maximise physical activity and recreation amenities in the natural environment.
Join us tomorrow when we will be looking at ways in which workplaces are to be encouraged to promote physical activity.
