FEATURE: ACSEP FEATURE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY SHOULD BE SAFE, FOR LIFE, FOR ALL DR ADAM CASTRICUM, PRESIDENT OF THE AUSTRALASIAN COLLEGE OF SPORT AND EXERCISE PHYSICIANS (ACSEP) SHARES WITH SPORT HEALTH AN INSIGHTFUL EDITORIAL ON THE RECENT NATIONAL SPORT 2030 PLAN. The Australian Federal inactive, sitting more, spending moreacross all stages of life— Government launched the time on screens and more obese. In fact,whether it be to improve historic first National Sportonly 44% of Australians 18 years andlearning and cognition, mental 2030 Plan on August 1, 2018. older, and 30% of children aged 2-17health issues and social cohesion, This most welcome and ambitious met the recommended National Physicalweight control and a vast array document aims to make Australia theActivity guidelines. Even more alarmingly,of chronic diseases including most active and healthy sporting nation,only 8% of teenagers aged 12-17 and 25%osteoarthritis, heart disease, stroke, known for its integrity and sportingof elderly Australians over 65 years of agediabetes and a variety of cancers. success. The Australasian College ofmet their Physical Activity guidelines. Of Sport and Exercise Physicians (ACSEP)further concern, 1 in 4 adults 18-64 yearsSignificantly, as the Australian population is proud to support this document asof age met the national strength-basedages, poor health and injury is reported it aligns with many of ACSEP’s valuesactivity guidelines of at least two strengthas the greatest barrier to physical activity, including integrity, leadership, excellencesessions per week. with 48% of those 65 years and older and teamwork. Most importantly, citing this impediment, up from 18% it encourages all members of the With physical inactivity linked to thein those aged 35-44 years. Perhaps community to be more engaged in burden of disease in Australia by more concerning is that the number sport and physical activity throughout10-19% across diabetes, many cancers,of Australians over 65 is projected every stage of their life, aiming to reducecardiovascular disease and dementia,to double in the next 40 years. inactivity amongst all Australians by 15%it is clear that this is a major public by 2030 in line with the recent, morehealth issue facing current and futureTo address this, the Sport 2030 Plan expansive World Health OrganisationAustralians. In 2008, physical inactivitycalls for more Australians to be more 2018 Physical Activity Plan. was estimated to cost the Australianactive, more often. It specifically aims economy more than $13 billion eachto “introduce new programs designed This Sport 2030 Plan follows closelyyear in terms of health care costs,to address the complex barriers on from the 2018 Australian Institutelost productivity and increased to participation many people face of Health and Welfare’s (AIHW) reportpremature mortality. such as access, time, cost, as well on ‘Physical Activity Across the Life as minimising injuries and supporting Stages.’ The AIHW report alarminglyThe evidence is increasingly clear –recovery”. The recent Sport Australia shows that Australia is increasinglyregular physical activity has benefitsAusplay survey also shows that 14 VOLUME 36 • ISSUE 2 2018