Woman & Sport | Gran Alacant Advertiser

Hi, how are you?

As promised, this month we are going to look at the topic of women and sport.

As most of us already know, regular exercise combined with good eating habits improve women’s health and helps to prevent many illnesses. This of course applies to everyone, men and women, but in this article we’re specifically looking at women especially because with the hormonal changes that they experience over time they need a different type of attention. Statistics estimate that 80 percent of women over forty spend the majority of their day sat down yet, as already mentioned, physical activity can help prevent cardiovascular problems such as heart disease and strokes which are the third leading cause of death in women worldwide.

The combination of a regular physical activity with a healthy diet is an effective way of preventing and controlling these problems and others such as obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis or arthritis as well as helping during the menopause. It applies during pregnancy too when keeping up physical activity will improve flexibility and the physical strength needed.

Activities such as walking, dancing, swimming, running (in some cases) are essential to minimise loss of bone mass and improve muscular strength and balance thus reducing the risk of falls and fractures.

But physical activity isn’t just good for us on a physical level… it can improve women’s quality of life on a physiological and spiritual level too by reducing stress, anxiety, depression, and loneliness. This is particularly important as women are twice as likely as men to suffer from depression. Physical activity develops self-esteem and confidence and improves physiological well-being and social connections.

At this time of year and particularly in this area it’s sometimes difficult to think about exercise. It’s hot!! But what is important with exercise is consistency- don’t look for excuses. Whether it’s hot, cold, rainy, windy, look for a way around it. Plan to exercise for example for a minimum of 4 days a week but arrange to go out early or late to avoid the heat. We are so lucky here to have the beach and the countryside on our doorstep where we can go for long walks, run, jog, cycle as well as centers that offer all types of other activities.