By Erin Phelan
Fitness Industry Council of Canada
We are gearing up for the busy season for the fitness industry and wrapping up what was one of the biggest years on record. The 2024 Global Report from Health and Fitness Association showed us that the world is shifting, where we are looking at what we do in the fitness industry as preventative health, where our members are exercising as much for their mental and social wellbeing, as the physical benefits that clearly come from movement.
Fitness Industry Council looks at the latest studies proving the power of physical activity for health, including a revealing study on walkable cities, the potential of physicians prescribing exercise to change adherence, the impact of cardiovascular exercise on longevity and more.
1. If you build it, they will walk
Active transportation is a global phenomenon and a major US study has added strong evidence to the merits of building walkabout cities. The study, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, shows that each 1% increase in an area’s “walkability” resulted in a 0.42% increase in neighbourhood walking – which actually added up to about 19 minutes per week for every resident living in a walkable area. What was interesting is that the study analyzed data from surveys of 5,477 pairs of twins between 2009 and 2020, including where they lived and how much they walked in a week. It found that those who lived in areas considered more walkable actually did walk more. In fact, living in a walkable neighbourhood reduced the chance of having no transit use at all by 32%
2. Only Four Minutes Reduces Cardiovascular Risk
Research from the University of Sydney published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, found that four minutes of vigorous physical activity daily could halve the risk of major cardiovascular events, like heart attacks or strokes, for middle-aged women who do not engage in structured exercise. Longer sessions of Vigorous Intermittent Lifestyle Physical Activity (VILPA) had previously been linked to lower cardiovascular disease risk. Researchers looked at short bursts, added as a part of a lifestyle, which could prove to be a promising option for women who aren’t currently engaging in activity – this could include stair climbing, hill climbing or power walking
More is better: When looking at blood pressure, the study found that five minutes of activity a day was estimated to potentially reduce blood pressure, while replacing sedentary behaviours with 20-27 minutes of exercise per day, including uphill walking, stair climbing, running and cycling, was also estimated to lead to a clinically meaningful reduction in blood pressure.
3. Prescribed Exercise Gets a Boost
In October 2024, the Scottish Government revealed an evaluation of the Physical Activity Referral Scheme (PARS), emphasizing its success in integrating prescribed exercise into healthcare settings. The program connects medical professionals with community exercise providers, allowing patients with chronic conditions like obesity, cardiovascular disease, and mental health challenges to access tailored physical activity interventions. Early findings showed significant improvements in patients’ physical and mental well-being, demonstrating reduced reliance on medication and healthcare services. This model highlights the potential of exercise prescriptions to address public health challenges, serving as an exemplar for global Exercise is Medicine initiatives.
4. Exercise and Longevity
A massive study published in Circulation assessed the relationship between exercise intensity, duration, and mortality risk. The large meta-analysis published by the American Medical Association found that adults can maximize longevity benefits with a combination of moderate and vigorous aerobic activity. Weekly targets of 5-10 hours of moderate activity (such as brisk walking) or 2.5-5 hours of vigorous exercise (such as running) were associated with a 21% to 31% lower risk of premature death.
5. Exercise boosts memory
Research continues to show the impact of physical activity on our brain – and now a new study from the University College London has found that the boost we get to our brains after exercising actually lasts into the next day! Previous research in a laboratory setting has shown that people’s cognitive performance improves in the hours after exercise, but how long this benefit lasts is unknown. The new study, published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, found that, on average, people aged 50 to 83 who did more moderate to vigorous physical activity than usual on a given day did better in memory tests the day after. The study also found that less time sitting and getting more deep sleep also positively impacted memory function the next day.
Fitness Industry Council of Canada (FIC) is the not-for profit trade association that represents the voice of fitness facility operators across Canada. Representing more than 6,000 facilities with more than six-million members nationwide, FIC pursues a legislative agenda in the hope of bettering the fitness industry for both consumers and operators. FIC aims to work with both industry and government to improve the health and physical activity levels of Canadians.
