and Egypt ( 17.2 %) lead South Africa ( 12.7 %) in terms of the proportion of their population having diabetes , only the top seven countries have over 10 %. We also score badly in a number of the other factors , such as tobacco and alcohol use , blood pressure and depression , which can also be related to the high level of concern related to poverty , safety and all impacts on the happiness factor .
From the above stats , it is not only clear why we would be considered the unhealthiest country on the planet , but it also provides a possible reason as to why we are so heavily hit by the COVID-19 pandemic , compared to our continental compatriots . However , there is one further statistic that could provide an answer for the future . I call it the Activity Surprise .
Salvation in Activity
Despite our conducive weather , affinity for ultrachallenges and claims of having the world ’ s largest events , ( think Cape Town Cycle Tour and Comrades ), we rank a lowly 87th out of 150 countries in terms of recreational exercise . Furthermore , a 2018 study shows that only 31.3 % of the population undertake a recreational activity at least once a month . Each lockdown reduces that activity still further , and also detracts from all the other health factors .
In other words , lockdowns have short-term benefits in terms of reducing the rate of infection , but just add to the long-term problems . Thus viral infections are not going away , and masks , sanitisers and viral assessment with thermal cameras will be with us in varying degrees for a long time to come , even if the intrusion will reduce as the monitoring becomes more sophisticated . However , being more active in this high-tech age is vital to our immune system and health .
This is incredibly important for everyone to appreciate . Increasing physical activity is the one factor that can improve the situation , because exercise is welldocumented for assisting in :
• Reduction of diabetes and control of blood sugar .
• Reducing weight .
• Reducing stress , and hence a positive impact on depression , happiness , and blood pressure .
• Providing motivation for at least a reduction in use of tobacco .
In short , exercise and recreation beneficially impact on at least seven of the 10 factors that can improve the country ’ s wellness ranking , and improve the overall citizen immunity !
What Needs to Happen
As identified in a previous article , there is an urgent need for the National Coronavirus Command Council ( NCCC ) to re-categorise the collective term “ mass gatherings ” and to acknowledge that worldwide , running , cycling and other endurance events have been shown to be low-risk events when structured in a basic COVID-compliant fashion .
Furthermore , the Ministry of Sport , Recreation , Arts and Culture , together with the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Tourism , need to be promoting participation events . The longer these events are delayed , the more lethargic people will become and the greater the apathy towards exercise , as people need to be motivated , even incentivised , to become more active , but are currently lacking goals and events to strive for .
The loss of fitness is real , and you may well have seen your VO2 reading drop on your watch or other fitness wearable . Be assured , this will have been accompanied by negative changes in weight , eating and psychological wellbeing , and to put it bluntly , South Africans need to get their butts into gear !
Exercise can assist and improve immunity , both short- and ( very importantly ) long-term , but it also brings benefits by reducing both individual and government medical and health care costs . Also , even small events have economic benefits for local commerce , and large events can provide massive boosts in tourism and commercial spend for provinces . ( Both Two Oceans and Comrades are estimated to generate over R700 million spend annually in their respective host provinces , Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal .)
Low-risk Participation
The good news is that participation events can be low-risk by taking each individual participant ’ s details on entry , and these events can and must be redesigned to ensure social distancing , and ensure minimal contact points . There are well-defined procedures and processes that can be applied for arrival and start , after which the general objective is to get ahead of anyone and everyone else . That will mean no more pacing buses , and virtually all events will need qualified officials to monitor participants ’ actions , with the power to control and punish misconduct , but it can be done .
There will be necessary changes to size of events , and to traditions and formats , but active events are essential , whether that is cycling , running , swimming , canoeing , triathlon , or even beach activities . Exercise is essential , and thus requires a separate classification in the regulations .
Instead of restricting exercise and monitorable activities , the NCCC and government should be looking for ways to promote and encourage every citizen to get their daily exercise . We need to create basic goals and reward health achievements with rates , tax or saving incentives . We need to turn the nation ’ s health and immunity levels around . At worst , we should stop applying regulation to exercise and activity that leads to a reduction in people ’ s fitness , health and immunity . These regulations are literally killing us !
Categorising exercise and endurance events with the same regulations as a street party , or a protest march , simply does not make sense , and is actually harming the health of each and every South African .
About the Author
Norrie represented Scotland and Great Britain in numerous ultra-distance events , then emigrated and represented South Africa in triathlon . He is a World Athletics-accredited coach and course measurer , and travels all over the world to work on events , including the Olympics . He has been appointed by World Athletics as Technical Delegate to a number of the world ’ s leading Label events in Africa , Asia and the Middle East . He has authored two books ( Everyman ’ s Guide to Distance Running and Every Beginner ’ s Guide to Walking & Running ), and counts 21 Comrades medals amongst his more than 150 ultramarathon medals . You can read more from him at www . coachnorrie . co . za .
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