Sedentary lifestyle represents a globally identified problem, closely related to key factors such as simplified access to resources, decreasing offline interactions, and the preference for sedentary professional activities at present.
Sedentary behavior can have severe effects on a person's physical and mental well-being. However, promoting an active lifestyle within the community can address this issue with relative ease.
The following ideas are easy to implement and aim to prevent and combat the effects of sedentary lifestyle in the medium and long term. Here are these ideas and how to encourage physical activity within a community:
What is Sedentary Lifestyle?
Sedentary lifestyle can be best described as a chronic lack of physical activity, except in cases where this condition is due to specific health problems with significant impact on mobility.
Voluntary sedentary activities during the day are associated with certain extended periods of time and involve assuming seated or reclined body positions. As we will see later on, such a context can cause various medical issues, especially when combined with certain risk factors:
- The inclusion of a large number of unhealthy foods and drinks in the adopted diet;
- Limited exposure to sunlight for extended periods;
- Adopting improper postures for back and neck well-being;
- Ignoring work breaks and prolonged screen time;
- Avoiding or interrupting interactions with others within certain social circles;
- Lack of proper ventilation in work or leisure spaces.
What Causes Sedentary Lifestyle?
With the transformation of humanity and the digitization of all professional or personal activities in which a person is involved, the premises for sedentary lifestyle have become more readily available. Today, the physical effort once necessary for completing certain tasks is no longer as crucial.
The main causes of sedentary lifestyle include:
Unlimited access to mobile devices and technology:
While the internet is a vital resource for all of us, excessive use and the quality of time spent online are decisive factors in the installation of sedentary behavior. Easy access to any information negates the need for movement.
It is important to mention that the online, present more than necessary in the life of any individual in society, allows easy contact with all his peers, regardless of the time or distance that separates them. This simplicity in activating communication links generates keeping the body in an immobile position for longer and longer intervals during the day.
Simplified access to essential resources
The internet is also the medium through which we obtain elements necessary for maintaining a safe lifestyle, such as clothes, food, home security solutions, etc. The average living standard fosters a more static lifestyle, especially in urban areas, as activities like hunting, fishing, or agriculture are no longer as vital.
Both the acquisition of resources and the habits associated with such a simplified process are determining factors in keeping the body immobile for worrying periods of time. These can increase under conditions of fatigue or busy schedules.
Chosen professions
Even by the nature of their work, people opt for a sedentary lifestyle. Physical effort is no longer as essential for work as it was a hundred years ago. The digitization of the entire economic space has facilitated work processes, leading to the replacement of dynamic activities with static ones in many domain:
- agriculture;
- construction;
- heavy industries;
- pharmaceutical;
- clothing;
- engineering.
Activities such as lifting, pushing, digging or pressing are now carried out using state-of-the-art technologies, whose values are preset and adjusted in real time by experts, often in front of monitors.
What are the Effects of Sedentary Lifestyle?
According to experts' recommendations, adults should engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week. Unfortunately, the premises mentioned above often prevent people from achieving this. [1]
The lifestyle embraced by many people nowadays leads to an extremely low energy expenditure. In terms of metabolic equivalent (MET), experts assert that any activity with a value of 1.5 MET or lower (e.g., sitting at a desk, lying in bed, sleeping, online browsing) is sedentary. [1]
Research results demonstrate the risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle:
● Obesity;
● Type 2 diabetes;
● Certain types of cancer;
● Cardiovascular diseases;
● Premature death. [1]
Extended periods of inactivity can reduce metabolic activity and negatively impact the body's ability to control blood sugar levels, regulate blood pressure, and break down fats. [1]
Mentally, a sedentary lifestyle can be just as harmful, with a study on 10,381 participants showing a link between the lack of physical activity and the development of certain mental health issues. [1]
Furthermore, a recent analysis of data collected from 110,152 respondents demonstrated a connection between sedentarism and a higher risk of developing episodes of depression. [1]
How Can Sedentary Lifestyle be Combated in the Community?
Unfortunately, the power of example within a family also affects the sedentary lifestyle. Therefore, children can imitate such behavior, risking to perceive it as something natural. Combating sedentary behavior can be much harder in adulthood if it has developed since childhood.
That's why physical activity should be encouraged at the community level so that children can easily observe that everyone around them remains active through play or engaging in certain sports. Here are some suggestions for combating sedentary lifestyle in the community:
Creating a trampoline space for the little ones
Our range of trampolines allows the setup of an area (indoors or outdoors) where play combines with physical effort, making the combat against sedentary behavior more fun and enjoyable.
Unlike several decades ago when trampolines were meant only for elite athletes, now anyone, especially the little ones in a community, can enjoy what these solutions have to offer. The Waterboyz experts have developed a diverse range of elastic trampolines that allow for an extensive variety of demanding exercises and physical activities:
● Elastic trampolines
● Trampolines with foam pits;
● Electronic challenge trampoline;
● Trampoline parks;
● In-ground trampolines;
● Bungee trampolines
Conditions for setting up a trampoline space
For implementing such a space within a residential area, it is recommended to have an area of at least 200 m² with a minimum height of 5 m. The surface area can extend up to 1000-2000 m² (in the case of trampoline parks).
The larger the designated trampoline area, the more varied elements can be included in this space. Our experts can provide solutions for arranging such a space, including in the concept phase:
● Integration of interactive wall panels with buttons for competitions;
● Use of Moly Jump monitors for scanning players and including them in the game;
● Installation of electronic basketball hoops on foam pits to reduce impact upon landing, as well as interactive ninja courses;
● Arrangement of climbing systems and panels and sticky walls;
● Creation of freestyle and height jumping areas;
● Designation of separate areas for very young children;
● Setting up a perimeter with vertical trampolines, positioned at approximately 90° angle compared to horizontal trampolines.
Recommendations for creating a trampoline space
For a trampoline area in the community, it is recommended:
1. Establishing a partnership with a solution provider that can offer products compliant with the highest quality standards and covered by warranty; it is essential for such a partner to provide repair or reconditioning services.
2. Including an outdoor playground area in the designated space that allows for other activities for children who prefer not to jump on the trampoline; in this regard, Waterboyz experts are willing to provide the necessary technical support, which may even involve creating 2D or 3D graphic simulations for a clearer visualization of the final result.
Furthermore, our team is ready to support any initiatives in the early stages of such a project, including securing non-repayable funding, gathering necessary documentation for obtaining operating permits, or maximizing the use of available space while complying with current legislation.
3. Creating a relaxation space for adults who supervise the children's activities, located near the trampolines; additionally, there is the option to set up a food court or a restaurant space where special events can be organized, such as on June 1st - Children's Day.
Other activities compatible with this type of entertainment include
● trampo voleyball;
● trampo basketball;
● artistic jumps/acrobatics;
● fitness sessions;
● dodgeball etc
Sedentary behavior represents a problem that can affect individuals from a very young age, especially if the habits of such a lifestyle are already prevalent within the family or community. Fortunately, tested techniques can be employed to provide an optimal framework for physical activities.
Trampoline spaces are ideal for residential areas, offering access to a wide range of activities suitable for all age groups. Waterboyz currently offers numerous products in this category, and our experts are available to help you choose the right solutions and efficiently integrate them into the available perimeter!
REFERENCES:
1. Kandola Aaron. Falck Suzanne, M.D, FACP.“Sedentary Lifestyle: Effects, Solutions, and Statistics.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322910#physical-dangers. Publicat August 29, 2018.