From ‘well man clinics’ to gym and World Cup challenges, there is an activity for everyone during Men’s Health Week. For a complete schedule of the activities taking place visit www.lrsport.org.uk/menshealth

An interactive quiz called ‘A Question of Health’ is running alongside the numerous activities on offer. The winner will be given the unique opportunity to enter a team for free in this summer’s ‘Legends’ 5-a-side football tournament being held at Judgemeadow Soccer Centre, August 1st 2010. To enter the quiz visit www.lrsport.org.uk/menshealth

Whether male or female, challenge yourself to find out how much you know about men’s health related topics. If you learn something new then why not share this with one other person to help raise awareness of men’s health issues?

The Legends tournament is being organised by Leicester City legend Steve Walsh (pictured with his Legends team below), who is supporting Men’s Health Week and the former Foxes captain explained how he stays healthy.

“It’s important to stay as fit and physically active as possible, no matter what your age, to maintain a healthy body and mind. I still try to keep in shape by playing the odd game of five-a-side and helping out with the Soccer Academy that I run with another former Leicester player, Muzzy Izzet.

“A lot of men get to a certain age and stop playing football or other sports, but there are so many other activities you can do that have a little less intensity but plenty of benefit, like swimming or golf.”

In Leicestershire, only 24.5% of men do enough physical activity to benefit their health. In Leicester this figure is 22.1% and in Rutland it is 29.0%. This means approximately three quarters of men should aim to increase their physical activity.

There are a number of benefits associated with taking part in regular, physical activity:
- Health – prevention and control of numerous illnesses, helping to maintain strong and healthy bones/joints/muscles and helping with weight control
- Social – meeting new people, taking up a new hobby and doing activities with friends and family
- Wellbeing – improving your mood, increasing your confidence and gaining more self-esteem

Here are some easy steps that you can take to help you to start leading a more active lifestyle:
- Slowly build up your activity levels
- Introduce physical activity into daily life
- Walk whenever possible
- Get off/on the bus a stop earlier/later
- Park in a space furthest from the shop/work entrance
- Do an activity with family, friends or colleagues
- Find an activity that you enjoy

For a guide to what is on in your area visit www.lrsport.org.uk or contact the Physical Activity Team on 01509 564870.