HSG Supports Movember
November is Movember, where Aussie men can grow a moustache to raise money for men’s health. This year, there’s a new theme encouraging men to get more exercise, and it’s called MOVE. The challenge? MOVE every day in November, somehow or someway. Some of the biggest health issues faced by men include prostate cancer, testicular cancer, poor mental health — and physical inactivity. Movember aims to tackle them all at the same time! With a host of benefits that come along with regular, routine exercise, it’s no wonder that Movember in Australia is taking aim at getting men (and women!) to MOVE a little more this November.
Website: Australia Movember Foundation
Instead of simply growing a moustache for Movember, this year’s campaign asks participants to also do a little extra by getting up and making a conscious effort to exercise on behalf of men’s health. This 30-day fitness challenge targets the rising epidemic of physical inactivity in men while raising awareness for other men’s health issues such as prostate and testicular cancers as well as mental health. While we all may have an idea of why exercise is important, we may be wondering why it’s suddenly taken front-and-center stage for the Movember Foundation.
Article: MOVE it this Movember: men’s health campaign extended to include exercise
According to research cited by the Movember Foundation, about 3.2 million deaths each year are attributable to insufficient physical activity making it the 4th leading risk factor for global mortality. In addition, 41% of men in high-income countries don’t exercise enough. While those statistics are depressing, the fact of the matter is that the trend can be changed.
The risks associated with inactivity are huge, as a sedentary lifestyle increases one’s risk of cancer and many other diseases. On the other hand, those who do exercise on a regular basis can reap the benefits of better cognition. A protein known as brain-derived neurotrophic factor, or BDNF, which is known to promote the health of nerve cells, can be found in abundance in those who have just exercised, boosting one’s ability to perform better on memory tests. While research is ongoing, there is overwhelming evidence in the research that high BDNF levels can improve cognitive health and that BDNF levels can be increased at least temporarily with exercise.
Article: How Exercise Benefits the Brain
Consider as well the reduction in risk factors for other health issues as well such as cardiovascular disease. In a University of Oklahoma study, men who logged at least 10,000 steps a day slashed their odds of having cardiovascular disease risk factors by 69%! Additionally, a University of Missouri study found that a 33-minute exercise session helped lower stress levels too.
As these organisations take aim at inactivity in order to improve health, so should your company take aim at sedentary lifestyles in your employees. Your workers are your greatest assets, and their health should be one of your top priorities. Any organisation interested in hosting a unique event can book a HSG Fitness Class or a Men’s Health Seminar.
