Public Sports, Public Health: A Strategy for a Healthier Future

The fifth day of Health Week, themed "Public Sports, Public Health," highlights the fundamental role of physical activity in promoting public health. This occasion serves as a call to action for communities, policymakers, and health organizations to prioritize movement in daily life and to address the silent crisis of physical inactivity that threatens global health.

The Inactivity Crisis: A Global Challenge

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) report in 2024, approximately 31% of adults worldwide—equivalent to 1.8 billion people—fail to meet the recommended levels of physical activity. From 2010 to 2022, this rate has risen by 5%, and it is projected to reach 35% by 2030. Physical inactivity not only jeopardizes physical health but also increases the risk of depression, anxiety, and poor sleep quality.

Public Sports: A Catalyst for Lifelong Health

Engaging in regular public sports offers comprehensive benefits for both physical and mental health. Routine physical activity improves cardiovascular function, lowers blood pressure, supports weight management, and significantly reduces the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. Furthermore, exercise enhances cerebral blood flow, strengthens memory, and helps prevent cognitive decline. Psychologically, physical activity stimulates the release of mood-enhancing hormones, reducing anxiety and depression. Additionally, it boosts immune system function, improves sleep quality, and contributes to a longer, healthier life.
Simple and accessible activities such as walking, cycling, stretching, and group games, when practiced consistently, can delay the aging process, preserve physical and cognitive abilities, and meaningfully enhance quality of life during older adulthood.

Barriers and Inequities in Physical Activity

Various factors such as lack of appropriate facilities, sedentary workstyles, extended working hours, and limited public awareness act as major barriers to regular physical activity. Vulnerable populations—including the elderly, homemakers, and people with physical disabilities—face the highest risks associated with inactivity.

Simple Strategies to Increase Daily Physical Activity

1. Daily Walking: Even 15 minutes of walking around the home or workplace can make a difference.

2. Choosing Stairs Over Elevators: A small habit with major cardiovascular benefits.

3. Stretching Breaks: Incorporate simple stretches every 30 minutes of sitting.

4. Family or Group Activities in Parks: Combine social interaction with physical movement.

5. Home-Based Light Exercises: Guided by mobile apps or online videos.

Policy Directions for Promoting Public Sports

1. Developing urban infrastructure supportive of physical activity, including safe sidewalks, cycling paths, and accessible parks.

2. Integrating physical activity into school curricula and workplace programs.

3. Organizing public sporting events and encouraging family-based and community-level sports.

4. Empowering marginalized groups by improving access to movement-focused programs.

5. Enhancing public awareness through collaboration with media outlets and health influencers.

Conclusion

The future of public health depends on movement. As the burden of noncommunicable diseases linked to sedentary lifestyles continues to rise, adopting multisectoral, equity-focused strategies to promote public sports will be crucial in building healthier, more active, and more resilient societies.

References:

• World Health Organization. (2024). Global recommendations on physical activity for health. WHO Publications.

• PAHO/WHO. (2024). Nearly 1.8 billion adults at risk of disease from not doing enough physical activity. PAHO News.

• The Sun. (2025). The simple addition to your daily routine that could reduce your risk of dying from heart disease by 39%. The Sun Article.

• Wellness Foundation. (2024). New global estimates of physical inactivity – WHO, 2024. Wellness Foundation.