No progress Physical inactivity remains a global pandemic - News - The University of Sydney

A new three-paper series in The Lancet, co-led by a University of Sydney academic and featuring University of Sydney authors, reveals that since the 2016 Olympics worldwide progress to improve physical activity has stalled with deaths associated with inactivity still at more than five million per year.

Recent analysis in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health (not part of the Lancet series) also highlight how investing in promoting physical activity at the population level is key to achieving the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals, which include health and well-being, climate action and sustainable cities and communities.

The third paper in the series found Olympic Games had a minimal impact on physical activity in host cities and are a missed opportunity to promote and improve health at the population level.

“The Olympics and other mass sporting events are a missed opportunity to change health and physical activity at the population level not only in the host city or country but around the world."

The Lancet series also features a commentary comparing the response of cities, including Sydney, to adjust infrastructure to accommodate physical activity in urban places during the COVID-19 lockdown, showing the global crisis has opened a window of opportunity for promoting physical activity in cities