Sport and health: the new health consciousness

How important health really is has become deeply anchored in our consciousness. Health is representative of a high quality of life. In order to achieve this goal, we are also prepared to do something.

Health means more than not being ill. It affects not only our performance in sports, but also our whole life. Health means not only physical, but also mental well-being. Sport and exercise play an important role in this, of course, because sport is often a balance to a stressful working life. It also keeps us fit and healthy.

How do trends in society change our attitude to sport and health? When do we start to rethink and why do health and well-being play an increasingly important role in our lives? Our editorial team got to the bottom of these questions together with experts and insiders from the health and sports industry. You can find information, trends and answers here.


Megatrend health - not just a fad

Many have realized that good or bad health cannot be considered separately from the rest of our lives. Health is influenced by all areas of our daily lives and, conversely, also shapes the lifestyle and daily lives of many who are more conscious of taking care of themselves.

The fight against Corona has given health awareness an additional boost, as health and physical integrity are more in focus than ever. Health is now perceived as a social responsibility to which everyone can contribute, on a personal but also on a social level. At the same time, health knowledge has increased in the population, which on the one hand can lead to increased fears, and on the other hand can also have an effect on other areas that affect personal decisions with regard to sport, exercise and nutrition. So health will remain firmly embedded in our consciousness.

Also, health setbacks and suffering will no longer be viewed in isolation. Our behaviours, patterns and habits, our lifestyle social network and our work or educational environment also play an important role. And last but not least, the overall picture has to be considered, because ultimately the health of us individually also depends on our direct environment, but also the health of the planet we live on.


Mental Health: Sport is good for the mind

"Mens sana in corpore sano" - Even the ancient Romans knew that a healthy mind resides in a healthy body. Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have also found that physical training can lead to an increased intelligence quotient, as increased heart and lung capacities can improve the supply of oxygen to the brain.

Exercise can also be seen as an important factor and balancer for mental health, which most have come to realize, not least because of the Corona pandemic: Regular exercise loosens up muscles strained from hours of video conferencing and provides a balance to home schooling and home offices. Regular standing, stretching, and yoga noticeably relaxes PC work and can relieve posture-related aches and pains.


Sport and health with measure and aim

Injuries, exhaustion, no further development and standstill in training? When does sport do more harm to health than good? Being healthy also means learning to listen to your own body and to find the measure and the extent to which things are good for us. This is as true for sports as it is for the rest of our lives. Bodies are different and the question of the right amount of sport should not be seen as a template that fits everyone equally. That's why at ispo.com we regularly review new research to provide you with information you can apply to yourself.

Just so you know, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends at least 150 minutes of exercise per week. But even with just one hour of running training per week, Swedish and US researchers have already found a positive, life-prolonging effect on participants. And a long-term study by German researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute for Sport and Sport Science also found that participants who exercised regularly remained physically and motorically younger and more agile than those who did no exercise.


Sport and health - the motivation

To regularly find your way to the gym or to the running track, you need motivation. Health is the most important of these, along with your own sense of happiness. It comes before the desire for the perfect beach body and the slim waist.

But: the separation of health, good figure, endurance and the feeling of well-being is purely artificial. Those who strengthen their abdominal muscles with sit-ups will not only attract attention on the beach, but will also prevent back problems in the office, quite automatically.

Sport and health - the reward of work

The positive effect of sport on our health has been proven many times over, in Germany and worldwide with impressive figures. A long-term study at the Karlsruhe Institute of Sport and Sport Science at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology showed that regular sport made the test subjects on average ten years younger in terms of their motor skills than a person who did not exercise.

Back in 2012, US and Swedish researchers determine that exercise has a proven life-prolonging effect. For this purpose, the National Cancer Institute in the USA evaluated the data of more than 650,000 adults. The positive effect is seen in normal and overweight people from as little as one hour of walking per week. Three years of additional lifespan are added on top for the athletic program.

Sport and health: the new health consciousness