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Promoting daily exercise

According to a recent National Heart Foundation Study, Councils can play a major role in encouraging people to exercise more regularly. With previous programs focussing on motivating people to exercise, the Heart Foundation is now urging planners and decision makers to consider ways of reducing environmental barriers to physical activity.

The Study 'Exercise in Daily Life', conducted jointly by Flinders University, the University of South Australia and the City of Marion, has identified key areas where exercise can become part of other daily activities.

"People need to be able to include exercise in their four main daily activity areas - work, shopping, child care and leisure and recreation," said Cheryl Wright, Principal Researcher and Health Promotion Director of the National Heart Foundation (SA Division).

"They need to be able to take part in more 'incidental exercise', or exercise that occurs while doing something else. This may be walking or cycling to work, gardening or walking to the shops. To some degree these needs can be met through the planning and design of our local areas."

Using the Local Government area of the City of Marion in Adelaide as a focus, the study discovered people required a variety of needs, including the following.

• Well located suburban facilities so that there can be a destination for people who want to walk or cycle.
• Seats as resting places along the way to encourage people to walk more, especially for young parents and older people.
• Useable local green space.
• Well maintained paths, tracks and roads which are safe and have adequate seating and appropriate shade.
• Well designed roads for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.
• Affordable and flexible public transport catering for people with a variety of needs.

With a population of 77,500 Marion Council has a high proportion of older people as well as young families settling in its newer residential areas.

"Many of the issues raised by focus groups during the study have now been incorporated in Council's Strategic Plan," said Barbara Douglas, Manager Community Support Services.

She said matters such as crime prevention and security for children walking to school are just some of the issues Council has taken on board. In the future, Council will also work closely with the Heart Foundation for input when designing new areas.

Copies of the report are available from Bridget Booth, the National Heart Foundation (SA) telephone (08) 8223 3144.

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