The benefits for women and girls of physical activity and sport

Although many of the clinical trials and epidemiological studies in health research have excluded women, the data available suggest that women derive many health benefits from an active lifestyle.³ The health benefits of women's participation in physical activ­ity and sport are now well established. Participation in sport and physical activ­ity can prevent a myriad of noncom-municable diseases which account for over 60 per cent of global deaths, 66 per cent of which occur in develop­ing countries.⁴ For girls, it can have a positive impact on childhood health, as well as reduce the risk of chronic dis­eases in later life.

For older women, it can contribute to the prevention of cardiovascular dis­eases, which account for one third of deaths among women around the world and half of all deaths among women over 50 in developing countries.⁵ Physi­cal activity also helps to reduce the effects of osteoporosis, which women

have a higher risk of developing than men.⁶ Participation in physical activity aids in the prevention and/or treatment of other chronic and degenerative dis­eases associated with aging, such as type-2 diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, osteoporosis and cardiovascular abnor­malities. It also helps in the manage­ment of weight and contributes to the formation and maintenance of healthy bones, muscles and joints. Physical activity can reduce the incidence of falls among older women.

An important role of physical activ­ity in the life of older women lies in prolonging independence. Much of the physical decline that was presumed an inevitable consequence of aging is now thought to be the result of inactivity. While no one can guarantee that exer­cise will prolong life, it can enhance the quality of life for older women who value their independence.⁷

The benefits for women and girls with disabilities are also well estab­lished. It has been noted that sport provides a double benefit to women with disabilities by providing affirma­tions of self-empowerment at both personal and collective levels.⁸ Apart from enhancing health, wellness and quality of life, participation in physical activity and sport develops skills such as teamwork, goal-setting, the pursuit of excellence in performance and other achievement-oriented behaviours that women and girls with disabilities may not be exposed to in other contexts.⁹

Participation in sport and physical activity can also facilitate good mental health for women of all ages, includ­ing the management of mental disor­ders such as Alzheimer's disease.¹⁰ It can promote psychological well-being through building self-esteem, confi­dence and social integration, as well as help reduce stress, anxiety, loneli­ness and depression. This is particu­larly important as rates of depression among women are almost double those of men in both developed and developing countries.¹¹ Adolescent girls in particular are vulnerable to anxi­ety and depressive disorders and are significantly more likely than boys to

have seriously considered suicide by the age of 15.¹²

In addition to improvements in health, women and girls stand to gain specific social benefits from partici­pation in sport and physical activity. Sport provides women and girls with an alternative avenue for participation in the social and cultural life of their communities and promotes enjoyment of freedom of expression, interper­sonal networks, new opportunities and increased self-esteem. It also expands opportunities for education and for the development of a range of essential life skills, including communication, leader­ship, teamwork and negotiation.

Inactive adults can rapidly improve their health and well-being by becom­ing moderately active on a regular basis. Physical activity need not be strenuous to achieve health benefits and it is never too late to gain benefits.¹³