ParticipACTION CEO worries COVID means less exercise for Canadians

ParticipACTION worries the COVID pandemic is having another impact on Canadians health.

CEO Elio Antunes, told the John Gormley show Canadians are exercising less during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“I think things weren’t that great with respect to our collective physical activity levels before COVID, but COVID has really impacted us in many ways, and in particular, our sedentary behaviours,” he said. 

According to the not-for-profit group’s findings, a significant number of people across the country aren’t getting up and moving enough. 

“We’re finding that 88 per cent of us are spending way too much time in front of screens. Sitting down, watching TV and playing video games. We have to substitute that sedentary time with more active time,” he continued. 

But, why is it that the pandemic has fewer people exercising? 

Outside of gyms being closed for stretches, Antunes points at another cause; leaving your home less in general. 

“Our incidental physical activity, things that we took for granted like walking to our colleagues’ desk to ask a question has now been substituted with an online chat, or going out for a sandwich has been substituted with a few steps to the kitchen,” he said. “So, COVID has really highlighted the importance of being active for many reasons.” 

Antunes recommends deliberately making time to move around in your day. 

“We have to be more mindful and purposeful around building some active breaks into our day,” he said. 

It doesn’t have to be something major to get started. 

“Standing, just the physical (act of) standing from sitting, is good. Walking around your desk, taking a phone call and walking while you’re speaking with someone on the phone. Really just trying to be purposeful and mindful of your amount of sedentary time, and replace that with some activity.”