a Sports Nation, a priority for 2023 – Observer
The most recent data from the Eurobarometer have been released, showing that 49% of Europeans do not practice any type of exercise. The failure is not attributable to the Sport in Europe (MDE) model, as worldwide data show the same trend. Practice levels in the US declined by 32%, with the reduction projected to be greater, in the order of 46%, by 2030. In China, from 1991 to 2009, practice rates fell by 45%. Europe showed figures for increased inactivity from 42% in 2014 to 46% in 2018, and 49% in 2021🇧🇷
The countries with the highest level of reported practice are Finland (71%), Luxembourg (63%), the Netherlands (60%), Denmark and Sweden (59%). In contrast, the countries with the lowest level of reported practice, in addition to Portugal (73%), are Greece (68%) and Poland (65%). In the case of Portugal this data denote, not the failure of a model, but of an organization system to promote the practice of exercise.
The gravity of these data is even greater because they do not even reflect the requirements defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), which attests to a worrying lack of coordination between the different political responsible for health, education, youth and sport and the lack of national plans, regional or municipal, feasible to reduce sedentary behavior.
WHO recommends at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderately aerobic activity per week (or equivalent vigorous activity) for all adults and an average of 60 minutes of moderately aerobic physical activity per day for children and adolescents.
This article is exclusive to our subscribers: subscribe now and benefit from unlimited reading and other advantages. If you are already a subscriber, log in here. If you think this message is wrong, please contact our customer support.