Introduction: A Move for
Health Day Each Year
Kari Keskinen & Sandra Matsudo
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The World Health Organisation (WHO) proposes that Member
States celebrate a Move for Health day on 10 May of each year, or at a
time and duration that best suits them. The recommendation was first made
by the 55th World Health Assembly (May, 2002) in its resolution WHA55/23
on Diet, Physical Activity and Health which urges Member States to celebrate
a Move for Health day to promote physical activity as essential for health
and well being. The slogan of Agita Mundo/Move for Health was adopted
and it was decided to start officially the celebrations in Sao Paulo.
In October 2002, a group of representatives of institutions and countries
decided to launch the Agita Mundo Network. Today it comprises about 310
institutions from 58 countries and has organized successfully the World
Day for Physical Activity every year.
The annual Move for Health Day recommended by and to Member States is primarily a national priority,
allowing optimal logistics and an exploitation of local sport, social and cultural opportunities.
This task is everybody’s responsibility: government and development sectors, civil society including
NGOs and professional organisations, private sector, communities, individuals, national and international
sport bodies, United Nations Agencies with a leading/coordinating WHO role, and relevant international
support partners, countries and institutions.
Each year has a theme to be loosely followed. In 2003 the Move for Health focus was a global initiative
to promote physical activity as essential for health and well-being. In 2004, Active Youth was promoted as
appropriate regular physical activity will provide young people with substantial physical, mental and social
health gains and help maintain optimal health and functional capacity throughout the life course. In the
year 2005, the focus was put on Supportive Environments, as evidence shows that physical activity-friendly
environments encourage more people to engage and participate in physical activity. In 2006 the campaign
was focusing on Active Communities, aiming to create opportunities for people to get up and moving
through various group activities, active leisure, active transport and active living. The theme for 2007
will be Active Workplaces, which should be adopted with a scope wide open to include all kinds of
workplaces with both employers and employees.
This issue of the ICSSPE Bulletin will make its own effort in promoting the WHO’s world initiative
further. The featured articles from all around the globe will give some insight to the national
campaigns and provide activists with good practices to be used for everyones benefit so that we all
can simply start moving:
Hop like a rabbit. |
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Take the stairs. |
Bicycle home. |
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Or take a stretch. |
Break your daily routine. |
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Catch yourself exercising – all year long! |
Remember you just need at least 30 minutes of physical activity per day at least five days per week
to get your passport for health!
Dr. Kari L. Keskinen
Finnish Society of Sport Sciences
Finland |
Dr. Sandra MM Matsudo
CELAFISCS & Agita São Paulo
Brasil
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http://www.icsspe.org/portal/index.php?w=1&z=5
Introduction: A Move for
Health Day Each Year
Kari Keskinen & Sandra Matsudo
|