National Kinesiology Week

National Kinesiology Week runs from November 11-18, 2019

Evidence-based studies tell us that if we were to decrease the number of inactive Canadians by even 10%, we’d see a 30% reduction in mortality and a major savings in health care.

It is estimated that more than $2.4 billion, or 3.7 per cent of all healthcare costs, were attributed to the direct cost of treating illness and disease due to physical inactivity.

The financial impact of poor health amounts to a loss of more than $4.3 billion to the Canadian economy, and the negative repercussions of inactivity cost the healthcare system $89 billion per year in Canada. Research shows us that properly structured and supported exercise programs, designed and delivered by a kinesiologist can:

  • Reduce the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease by 40%
  • Reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes by 50% and be twice as effective as standard insulin in treating the condition
  • Help the function of muscles for people affected by Parkinson’s disease and Multiple Sclerosis
  • Decrease depression as effectively as pharmacological or behavioural therapy
  • Reduce the risk of stroke by 27%
  • Reduce the risk of colon cancer by 60%
  • Reduce mortality and risk of recurrent cancer by 50%
  • Reduce the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease by almost 40% compared to those who are less active.

Sponsored by the Canadian Kinesiology Alliance, this year’s theme is “Move Better, Live Better” and supports World Diabetes Day which will be hosted at UBC on November 14th, 2019.

The School of Kinesiology conducts research on diabetes and is an active member of the research cluster known as the BC Diabetes Research Network. The research cluster conducts research that is patient-centred, including physical activity and nutrition-based approaches to preventing diabetes;  to the prevention of the complications of diabetes; as well as on researching Islet biology & cell therapy.

Learn more here: https://diabetesbc.ca/about-us/research/