Physical Activity

Let’s move more and sit less. If you take one thing from this section, let it be that simple message.

It is recommended by the World Health Organisation that children and young people (aged 2-18) should be active moderate to vigorous level, for at least 60 minutes every day. This should include muscle-strengthening, flexibility and bone-strengthening exercises 3 times a week.

Adults (aged 18 – 64) should be active for at least 30 minutes a day of moderate activity on 5 days a week (or 150 minutes a week).

Older people (aged 65+) should be active for at least 30 minutes a day of moderate intensity activity on 5 days a week, or 150 minutes a week with a focus on aerobic activity, muscle strengthening and balance.

People with disabilities should be as active as their ability allows and should aim to meet adult guidelines of at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity on 5 days a week.

The Irish Government launched a new national physical activity plan in 2016. It’s key target is to increase the number of people taking regular exercise by 1% a year over ten years – that’s around 50,000 people every year or half a million in total – by making exercise a normal part of everyday life and giving people more opportunities to be active.

At the launch of that report, the inspirational video of one of the GAA’s Healthy Clubs, Castleblayney Faughs ‘Operation TransFAUGHmation’ was shown to the assembled great and good to highlight how one GAA club set out to inspire an entire community. The club would be named Sports Club of the Year in Ireland for their endeavours in 2015.

While GAA clubs and coaches assist countless people in achieving their recommended physical activity levels through training for and playing our games we can always do more to help those who are less physically active.