Physical Activity and Men

Original Editor - Ilona Malkauskaite

Top Contributors - Ilona Malkauskaite, Lucinda hampton, Mariam Hashem, Kim Jackson, Tarina van der Stockt, Simisola Ajeyalemi, Rucha Gadgil, Admin, Tony Lowe and Michelle Lee  

Introduction

There is an increasing focus on the benefits of physical activity and encouraging the Worldwide community to become more physically active. Physical activity is important for both physical and mental health. Lack of physical activity is linked to a range of serious health problems including obesity, heart disease and some forms of cancer. 

The most common reasons given by men not being physically active are insufficient time because of work or study commitments, lack of interest, age (‘I’m too old’) and ongoing injuries or illness.

• According to World Health Organisation (WHO), men were slightly more physically active than women in 2010 globally.
• Overall around 23% of adults aged 18 and over were not active enough in 2010 (men 20% and women 27%) .

Perceived barriers to physical activity and how to overcome them

There are several common reasons why some men don’t exercise:

• Lack of time for physical activity (Men aged between 30 and 50 are typically busy with work and family commitments). When leisure time is limited, it’s natural to choose enjoyable activities. If men don’t view physical activity as enjoyable, they won’t do it.
• Lack of interest in physical activity. Some men believe in the ‘no pain, no gain’ misconception, and think that only gruelling and uncomfortable forms of physical activity are worthwhile. However, physical activity doesn’t have to be particularly vigorous. 
• Lack of motivation about physical activity. Some men view health as a low priority. 
• Lack of physical ability. Health issues that make activity and movement uncomfortable such as obesity, back pain or persistent fatigue are a common barrier to regular participation in physical activity. 
• Limited access to exercise facilities. Some men think its all about gyms etc. Not so eg. activities that don’t require facilities or equipment, such as walking. 

Physical Activity (PA)

is defined as any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure, including activities undertaken while

• working
• playing
• carrying out household chores
• active travelling
• engaging in recreational pursuits.

Regular moderate intensity physical activity has significant benefits for health. This includes walking, cycling, or participating in sports. Benefits of PA include reduced risk of

• cardiovascular diseases,
• diabetes
• colon and breast cancer
• depression
• will decrease the risk of a hip or vertebral fracture
• help control weight.

To find out more about gender differences in physical activity and sedentary time, you can view this video below:

The benefits of physical activity in men with cardiovascular diseases

In a meta-analysis study, Sattelmair et al found that physical activity clearly could decrease the risk of developing coronary heart disease (CHD). However, it is less clear how much of physical activity is needed. Individuals who were engaged in the equivalent of 150 mins per week of moderate-intensity leisure-time physical activity had a 14% lower CHD risk. Those engaging in the equivalent of 300 min/week of moderate-intensity leisure-time activity had a 20% lower risk. Persons who were physically active at levels lower than the minimum amount recommended also had a significantly lower risk of CHD . In a large prospective study of U.S. men vigorous-intensity physical activity, even at ≥ 70 MET-hours per week, was associated with decreased risk of incident of major chronic disease and total cardiovascular disease. Moderate-intensity physical activity was also associated with decreased risk, Running, tennis, and brisk walking were each associated with reduced risk for developing of cardiovascular disease .

The benefits of physical activity in men with chronic conditions

Robertson et al in a systematic review revealed that weight reduction for men is best achieved and maintained with combination of reducing diet, physical activity or physical activity programme and behaviour change techniques . In a longitudinal study, increased intensity of physical activity was associated with loss of fat mass in severely obese men . Higher levels of physical activity were associated with a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes in a cohort study conducted by Ekelund et al .In a prospective cohort study it has been found that higher levels of leisure-time physical activity may lower risk of chronic pelvic pain syndrome and chronic prostatitis in middle-aged and older men.

The benefits of physical activity in men with prostate cancer

Bourke et al in a conducted systematic review, which included 16 randomised control trials investigated the effects of exercise on cancer-specific quality of life in men with prostate cancer. It was found high quality evidence that exercise interventions can improve cancer specific quality of life and cancer specific fatigue in men with prostate cancer at up to 6 months of follow up. Positive beneficial effects were also evident for lower body strength and aerobic fitness. A follow-up study has found that physical activity was associated with lower overall mortality in men with prostate cancer. Both non-vigorous activity and vigorous activity showed significant results . However, exercising as a factor to reduce the risk of prostate cancer is still not clear.

For further information you can watch this video on Activity and Prostate Cancer: