INSIGHT
News, views and lessons learnt
Fitness industry takes action on reconciliation
Following widespread consultation with
Aboriginal
and
Torres
Strait
Islander
organisations and individuals, Fitness Australia
recently launched a Reconciliation Action Plan
(RAP) which aims to help ‘Close the Gap’ for
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
through participation and employment in the
health and fitness industry.
Lauretta Stace, Fitness Australia’s CEO,
said ‘As the industry’s peak group, I believe we
have a significant role in helping reduce health
and fitness inequalities among Australians.
That is why we have developed an industryspecific action plan.’
‘The Reconciliation Action Plan is dedicated
to enhancing opportunities for Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander peoples to become
exercise professionals. In addition this RAP is
about facilitating appropriate guidance to fitness
services on the provision of culturally aware and
safe environments. By enhancing respectful and
equitable relationships throughout the industry
the desired outcome is that more Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander peoples will feel comfortable
to work and participate in fitness services.’
For more information on Fitness Australia’s
Reconciliation Action Plan go to fitness.org.au/RAP
Source: Fitness Australia
Running may actually prevent knee problems
Running is often cited as the cause of assorted joint
problems, but new US research suggests that pounding the
pavement may, in fact, protect against knee osteoarthritis,
the disease characterised by the breakdown of the
cartilage, joint lining, ligaments and bone.
A team from Baylor College of Medicine in Texas
analysed 2,683 participants in the Osteoarthritis Initiative
study, whose mean age was 64.5 years. A series of tests,
X-rays and questionnaires were conducted at the start of
the study and after two years.
The findings revealed that
individuals
who
regularly
participated in running experienced
less knee pain and incidence of
osteoarthritis than non-runners. The
study also showed that, perhaps
unsurprisingly, participants with
lower BMIs were more likely to
engage in regular running.
Study co-leader, Dr. Grace
Hsiao-Wei,
commented:
‘in
people who do not have knee
osteoarthritis, there is no reason
to restrict participation in habitual
running at any time in life from the
perspective that it does not appear
to be harmful to the knee joint.’
Source: Medical News Today
8 | NETWORK SUMMER 2014
Keep your heart healthy
and vampires at bay
Garlic contains an active
ingredient called allicin, which
can reduce arterial plaque
and lower blood pressure,
making it a powerful agent in
cardiovascular health.
via networkinteracive.com.au
Poke neck no joke…
For every inch your head goes
forward your neck and upper
back muscles have to work
twice as hard. Good posture
can do so much more for
your wellbeing than simply
make you stand taller.
via spineandhealth.com.au