Community Games, HSE and Athlone IT teaming up for MOVE Week

On Wednesday 23rd September Community Games, HSE and Athlone IT teamed up to cycle a combined distance of 330km on exercise bikes: the equivalent distance of cycling the Beara Peninsuala.

The event took place in Athlone IT's International Sports Arena and each relay team had 6 members who cycled for 30 minutes each.

The Cycle Relay took place as part of MOVE week.  MOVE week is an initiative of the International Sporting and Cultural Association (ISCA), of which the Community Games is a member. ISCA is a global organisation whose philosophy is that sport is not just about competition and exercise but more about being physically active, having fun and making friends.

Speaking of the event, Dr.Cate Hartigan, Head of Health Promotion and Improvement at the HSE said:

"It's fantastic to see our colleagues from the Athlone Primary Care Centre working together with HSE Community Games and Athlone Institute of Technology to raise awareness of MOVE Week, taking place from September 21st to 28th 2015.

"I have to commend these very determined and dedicated cyclists! With 1 million participants in 2014, MOVE Week has become the biggest annual week in Europe promoting the benefits of regular participation in sport and physical activity."

During MOVE Week, hundreds of events take place simultaneously across Europe in a week-long festival of sport and physical activity. They can include open door or "try-it" events at local clubs, walking events, fun runs, bike tours, street sport events, school sports events, company activities, activities organised for hard-to-reach groups - the possibilities are only limited to your imagination! The size of the event can also vary - from small events organised by local groups, to bigger community event. MOVE Week is about having fun and finding your MOVE. As long as the event gets people active then it is eligible to be part of MOVE Week.

Some tips for being active during the week include:

 

    If you work at a desk for long periods, set an alarm on your phone every 30 minutes to remind you to stand up from your desk and move

 

    Do some desk exercises:  shoulder rolls, arm raises, leg squats and stretches

 

    Take the stairs at work instead of the lift

 

    Go for a short walk on your lunch break

 

    Have a standing meeting instead of a seated meeting

 

    At the weekend join in with your local free 5km parkrun event www.parkrun.ie and encourage your colleagues/friends to participate.

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