How active are you REALLY?

Physical inactivity is the single biggest risk factor to health outcomes facing society today.

Despite popular opinion, many people living in rural areas are not active enough and it is negatively impacting their health. 

According to recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, more than 55% of people living in rural areas of Australia do not complete enough physical activity for health benefits.  This negatively impacts both physical and mental health. 

Farmers living in rural and remote regions face a higher prevalence of chronic illness, injury and premature death, as well as poor psychological wellbeing, compared to metropolitan counterparts. 

Being physically active helps to manage risk factors which contribute to chronic disease, such as obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. 

Research shows that low cardiorespiratory fitness accounts for more deaths per head of population than obesity, smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. 

Farmers often state that they are active in their work, but how active are they really?  Spending long hours sitting in tractors and headers, and driving around checking stock and waters often works against any possible gains from brief bursts of activity. 

Increasing physical activity levels by only 15 minutes per day, five days per week, can reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases by an estimated 13%.  If you can fit 30 minutes of exercise in every day, then the risk reduces by 26%. 

It’s easy to come up with excuses to not be physically active.  Some of the common ones in rural areas are lack of time, weather limitations, access to facilities, cost, travel time/distance and fatigue from work. 

At Good Country Physiotherapy, we work with each individual patient to help them be more physically active every day.  We know this helps their physical health, but it has a big impact on mental health and wellbeing as well. 

We were proud to be involved with establishing the Naracoorte Fat Farmers group in 2024, and continue to be impressed by the achievements of the farmers involved.  There is no doubt that exercising with others has even more benefits. 

The best physical activity is the one you enjoy, so if you are finding it hard to be active or your body is letting you down, our physiotherapists can help you get back on your feet and moving more.  Your future self will thank you for it! 

With clinics across the Limestone Coast, there is sure to be one near you.  For appointments, call 8762 1515 or book online via our website www.goodcountryphysio.com.au.