The Co-benefits of Physical Activity
There are significant health and social, economic and environment and sustainability benefits to be gained when members of the community are more physically active.
These co-benefits are visually shown in the following diagram and are listed below.
The Multiple Benefits of Physical Activity
Health Benefits
Increases
- Fitness, stamina and energy
- Lean muscle, muscle strength and bone density
- Flexibility, coordination, balance and development of a wide range of motor skills
- Improved immune system
- Healthy ageing, mobility, independence and quality of life in older adults
- Mental health and wellbeing
- Concentration
Reduces
- Chronic illness and disability
- Mortality rates and risk of dying prematurely
- Risk of coronary heart disease, cardiovascular disease and stroke
- Risk of diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure
- Risk of colo-rectal and breast cancer
- Risk of asthma
- Risk of osteoporosis and symptoms of arthritis
- Body fat, overweight and obesity
- Falls and injuries in older people
- Risk of developing dementia
- Feelings of fatigue, depression, stress and anxiety
- Risk of menstrual symptoms, constipation and back pain
- Risk of postnatal depression
- Demand on health services
Supports
- Improved sleep and rehabilitation
- Weight management
- Cognitive functioning, memory, learning and better performance at school
- Improved mood, quality of life, sense of wellbeing and long term health
Social Benefits
Increases
- Active and vibrant community hubs
- Social skills and networks
- Social capital and community connections
- Access to services and resources
- Independent living
- Improved communication, team building, leadership and cooperation skills
- Volunteering
- Community participation in recreational and social activities
Reduces
- Social isolation and loneliness
- Antisocial behaviour
Supports
- Stronger, connected communities
- Community inclusion and public enjoyment
- Community cohesion and capacity building
- Crime prevention
- Cultural links through activities
Environmental Benefits
Increases
- Uptake of active transport, walkability and economic viability of local areas
- Influences the development of well planned and designed spaces
Reduces
- Traffic congestion, air and noise pollution
- Use of fossil fuels and energy use
- Greenhouse gas emissions, global warming and climate change impacts
- Demand for major road infrastructure (roads, car parks)
Supports
- Incidental activity
- Community safety
- Settings for active living
- Improved public access and linkages to neighbourhoods and key activity centres
- Improved connectivity
Economic Benefits
Increases
- Tourism
- Retail
- Business and employment opportunities
- Investment opportunities
- Productivity and growth
Reduces
- Vandalism costs
- Absenteeism
- Workplace accidents/injury and workers compensation claims
- Health care costs and claims
- Pressure on insurance premiums for employers
- Staff turnover
- High costs of passenger transport and infrastructure
Supports
- Local business
- Attracts workforce
- Active and healthy employees and workplaces
- The Multiple Benefits of Physical Activity
The benefits of physical activity are well documented and while this list is not exhaustive it encompasses a collective consensus of evidence based outcomes.
Related Resources
Urgent Move on Physical Activity
Developed by the Physical Activity Taskforce, this brochure provides facts and statistics on physical activity levels and the rising obesity rates in Western Australia.
| Resource type: | Publications |
| Tags: | Benefits of physical activity, Environment, Guidelines, National Guidelines, Physical activity levels, Physical activity recommendations, Publications |
| Relevance: | State |
| Year published: | 2009 |
Benefits of Physical Activity
Developed by the Department of Sport and Recreation, this fact sheet explores the physical health, mental health, social, environmental and economic benefits associated with participating in regular physical activity.
| Resource type: | Publications |
| Tags: | Benefits of physical activity, Environment, Exercise, Fact sheet, Health improvement, Mental health, Physical activity, Publications, Statistics |
| Relevance: | State |
| Year published: | 2007 |
Costs of Physical Inactivity
Developed by the Department of Sport and Recreation, this fact sheet takes a hard look at the range of health and economic costs associated with physical inactivity.
| Resource type: | Publications |
| Tags: | Cancer, Dementia, Depression, Diabetes, Fact sheet, Inactivity, Life expectancy, Mental health, Obesity, Overweight, Publications, Statistics |
| Relevance: | State |
| Year published: | 2007 |
