SPORTS students proved to be movers and shakers as they joined a global crusade to fight inactivity which is causing an epidemic of health issues around the world.
Darlington College sports students helped motivate 316 participants taking part in TechnoGym’s Let's Move For a Better World campaign.
Across the UK 237 gyms took part with the Dolphin Centre being placed fourth overall with a total of 1,214,823 moves. Globally 107,000 people, from 1,576 gyms, in 130 countries, took part completing 345,302,778 moves.
A move is a unit of measurement for assessing lifestyle based on physical activity. For example, walking up five flights of stairs are considered 50 moves; a brisk half-hour walk is equivalent to 200 moves, but a half hour run becomes 400. Each move burns two calories.
According to the World Obesity Atlas 2023, sedentary lifestyles are having a dangerous effect on people’s health with 50 per cent of the population admitting to never, or only occasionally, engaging in physical activity. It claims that by 2035 one in four people will be obese and one in two will be overweight or obese.
By 2030, there will be nearly 500 million new cases of chronic diseases attributable to physical inactivity, particularly hypertension and depression.
Dolphin Centre staff were delighted with their placing and had high praise for Darlington College students in helping them achieve their fourth place.
To thank the college the centre has donated a wellness pack containing fit balls, slam balls, speed ladders, fitness mats and dyno bands to help sports students when term starts in September.
Level 3 personal training student Matthew Ball said he’d “had a blast” during his work experience at the Dolphin Centre gym. He said: “I was actively involved in supporting the gym's Let's Move For a Better World campaign by encouraging clients to participate in the two-week challenge. It is so important to raise awareness for a better, healthier world.”
Participants used a Technogym key which they plugged into their preferred equipment to record their moves.
Dolphin Centre gym manager Darren Cole said: “Securing fourth place was impressive and I must thank the work experience students for their support as they made a significant difference and propelled the gym up the leaderboard.
“The campaign was a fun and important introduction to health and wellbeing which reached people who might not necessarily go to the gym.”
Darlington College’s head of marketing and engagement Claire Hankey said: “Our students loved working with the Dolphin Centre on this important global health campaign as part of their work experience.
“It was great to hear that having them on board helped give the Dolphin Centre the edge by being so motivated and keeping everyone focussed on getting in more moves.
“Their exemplary behaviour rewarded the college with a donation of some invaluable equipment which will support our sports, fitness and public services students moving forwards.”
Anyone interested in opportunities at Darlington College should visit www.darlington.ac.uk.