27 March 2008

Stepping Out

People from across the Southern area have been awarded for stepping out in a four week Walking for Health challenge.

This year’s challenge, funded by the Southern Area Physical Activity Strategy Implementation Group (SAIG), had a total of 550 people and 55 teams participating. The teams came from workplaces, primary care, and day centres.

Teams were required to measure their daily steps using digital step-o-meters. 

Hosting the awards ceremony, BBC Sports Presenter Denise Watson said: “This challenge is all about motivating people to get active, improving fitness levels and boosting team spirit.  Participation this year has been very encouraging with 550 participants walking a total of 56,000 miles.  Walking is the ideal way to take regular exercise as it requires no equipment or expense and can be built into your daily routine.”

The 2008 ‘Walking for Health’ winning teams were; Banbridge High School in the Craigavon and Banbridge area, the Laurels Day Centre in Newry and Mourne and Campbell Surgery, in Armagh and Dungannon.

The overall Individual Category Winners were; Tracey McCall, Banbridge High School, Gerry McAnuff, Laurels Day Centre and Daine Shields from Campbell Surgery.

Sabrina Hinds, Physical Activity Co-ordinator for the Southern Health and Social Care Trust who organised the challenge said: “In Northern Ireland, 70% of the adult population do not take enough physical activity for their health. It is advised that adults should incorporate at least 30 minutes of moderate activity into their day.  Walking improves sleep, helps weight control, increases stamina and contributes to a general feeling of well-being.  Most of all it is an activity that can be easily incorporated into your daily routine, for example instead of getting into the car for a short journey why not walk or take the stairs instead of the lift. Little changes can make a real difference in your life.”

Speaking at the awards ceremony on behalf of SAIG, Gerard Houlahan congratulated all those who took part.  “I wish to congratulate everyone who took part in this year’s challenge.  This is the forth year we have organised this popular challenge and each year it has gone from strength to strength. The recommended amount of steps per day is 10,000, which is the equivalent to approximately five miles.  Most people exceeded this target and research has shown that using these digital counters helps to motivate people to walk more.”