Heading for health
 - February 2012
Olympic and Commonwealth Games set fitness standards
The gathering of the world’s finest sportsmen and sportswomen in the UK twice in the next two years will provide not only spectacular events but also a platform to improve the health of the nation.
It might be a long shot that the next Usain Bolt or Steve Redgrave will emerge from Scotland but what is certain is that the London Olympics later this year and the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow can be the inspiration and catalyst for a dramatic rise in the fitness of the population.
The Scottish Government’s stated intention is to maximise the possible benefits from these events and its priority is to get Scotland physically active with people living long, healthy lives.
The Government says an active and healthy nation has a key role to play in creating a more successful country, with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish.An active Scotland can bring wide-ranging benefits across all of its legacy ambitions, not just for the economy.
Physically active people have a 20-30% reduced risk of premature death, and a 50% reduced risk of major chronic disease, such as coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancers.
For some time now the Government has had a national physical activity strategy which endorses international recommendations that adults should accumulate at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity activity on most days of the week, with children undertaking at least one hour most days.
When that strategy was launched in 2003 two thirds of the women in Scotland and more than half of the men were failing to meet this level. In the under 15 age group 37% of girls and 26% of boys also failed to meet it.
The target set then was that by 2022 50% of adults and 80% of children should be meeting the recommended level and it is anticipated that the Olympic and Commonwealth Games can give this challenge significant momentum.
Shona Robison, Scotland’s Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport, told Business Bulletin: “With the 2012 Olympics now looming large on the horizon and less than 1,000 days to go until the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, people across Scotland are looking forward to and getting involved with the excitement surrounding both sets of Games. And as a Government we are already doing all that we can to contribute to a successful Olympics in 2012.
“The Games in both 2012 and 2014 offer vast opportunities to put Scotland on the path to a healthier and more successful future. We want to deliver a legacy that is both ambitious and will capitalise on this once in a generation opportunity of hosting these major international sporting events. As the Games draw closer we will be increasing our engagement with our UK counterparts to make sure we get every benefit we can for Scotland as well as learning all we can for Glasgow in 2014.
“While London will undoubtedly be the main hub of sporting activity, I am very pleased that Scotland is contributing, with eight football matches being hosted at Hampden Park in Glasgow. The Scottish Government has played a full role in all activities relating to London 2012 from promoting volunteering opportunities to encouraging Scottish businesses to bid for London 2012 contracts, and we will continue to do so. So far 117 Scottish organisations have won 158 London 2012 contracts and just last month the Cameroon team confirmed that Aberdeen will play host to its pre-Games Training Camp.”
Evidence suggests that there can actually be a financial benefit for employers to encourage their staff to get fit.
Research has shown that active workforces tend not only to report less illness but also to recover more quickly from the illnesses they do suffer.
Physically active employees are calculated to take 27% fewer days of sick leave than their inactive colleagues which equates to more than two days extra attendance and savings of £135 per employee. The active employees are also more productive and have fewer industrial injuries.
There are numerous ways employers can promote and encourage increased levels of activity from encouraging active travel to work or ensure the appropriate facilities such as showers are available to providing opportunities for active breaks, encouraging the use of stairs or incentive schemes.
The Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives (SCHWL) is dedicated to raising the levels of health of Scots and features Aberdeen’s Hatstand Nelly as a case study on its website.
The hair and beauty salon and juice bar was a finalist in the overall small business category of last year’s Northern Star Business Awards and were overall winners of the British Chamber of Commerce Award for Customer Service. Owner Lorraine Watson said she was delighted that she sought advice from SCHWL five years ago.
They helped her establish a policy which reduced absence by two thirds and her initiatives have included talks by experts including a physiotherapist, and activities at work.
“One of the reasons for absence was back problems, something I suffer from because of 20 years of standing slightly wrongly,” said Lorraine. “I want to ensure my staff don’t suffer in the same way.
“We have also had Pilates lessons to give our team the skills to improve their fitness levels.
“We introduced tailored fitness programmes for all staff from a trained fitness instructor; hand care and dermatitis talks; a healthy eating seminar; Friday night running sessions; a cycle to work scheme; and fruit platters at team meetings.
“I think it helps the business as well as my 14 staff. We’ve all been to places where you think, ‘These folk aren’t really getting on very well. It makes you feel uncomfortable and I think it’s really important for attracting and retaining new clients that your team is seen to be happy.
“I see Healthy Working Lives as marketing for the salon. If you hold events and activities and the team talks about them then that is your marketing.
“In Olympic year we are stepping things up with the Olympic Gold Challenge. It is a charity event and between us we will be covering a total of 2012 kilometres. I will be on my bike and others will be running, walking, swimming and on the treadmill in the gym.” |
