NEW research has found that two and half hours of exercise a week can cut the risk of dying from infection diseases such as Covid-19.
The researchers from around the world found 150 minutes of exercise a week which gets you slightly out of breath – just 22 minutes of exercise a day – helps to boost a persons immunity.
Doing this exercise can reduce fatalities by 37 per cent and the danger of catching similar diseases by 31 per cent, and also boosts the effectiveness of vaccines by up to 40 per cent.
This is particularly important in a place like the Bradford district, which has high levels of inactivity, obesity – particularly among children, diabetes, and respiratory diseases.
With that in mind, we’ve had a look at some of the more unusual forms of exercise on offer in the district people can try out, which could be a bit more fun than just pounding the pavement on a jog.
Professor Sebastien Chastin, who led the study, said: “You don’t need to go to a gym, as dancing around the living room, going for a run or walk is just as effective.
“In this period of pandemic being outside is better than in a gym or closed environment.
“The clear message is ‘stay active’ – it’s not only good for your mental and general health, but we now have the proof that it is also good for boosting your immunity.
“You need to keep it up as it’s about regular exercise and making time to build it into your day.”
Prof Chastin, a specialist in health behaviour dynamics at GCU, added that physical activity “strengthens the first line of defence of the human immune system and a higher concentration of immune cells” in the world’s first study into the link between exercise and Covid-19 immunity.
Across Bradford, there are plenty of different forms of exercise people can do. From the district’s countless football and cricket clubs, as well as the rugby league and union clubs, there are plenty of options for team sport for those who prefer a team to exercising alone.
The district also has plenty of parks and green spaces for running, jogging, or speed walking, as well as plenty of options for cycling, both on and off-road.
But if these options don’t tickle your fancy, here are some other forms of exercise which will get the blood pumping and are a bit quirkier than others.
Climbing
While a popular form of exercise for some, many people haven’t given climbing or bouldering a go.
It’s a great way to build total body strength and is a good blend of strength and endurance as you cling onto walls by your fingertips, as well as flexibility and is also low impact on joints.
There are plenty of options outdoors for climbing in nature if you know what you are doing, but there are also indoor climbing venues in the area.
In the area is The Climbing Hub at Beckside Business Park in Lidget Green, as well as The Depot Climbing in Pudsey, and Rokt Climbing Gym in Brighouse, which also features the UK’s tallest outdoor man made climbing wall.
However, admission to gyms and buying or hiring equipment could be off-putting for some or make it out of reach for others.
Trail/fell running
If you fancy running but don’t like sticking to pavements and dodging cars, then heading out into the countryside to try fell or trail running could be the one for you.
Taking on uneven terrain, running up and down hills and weaving along tracks and through fields, fell/trail running allows you to go at your own pace, get out into the fresh air and enjoy the beautiful scenery on offer across the Bradford district.
It’s free to do, strengthens the heart and cardiovascular system, improves bone density in the legs and hips, and also strengthens your legs with tortuous uphill climbs and downhill stretches also strengthening the muscles, and also improves agility, balance and coordination due to the uneven surfaces.
Normal running shoes are fine but specialist trail running shoes are best to cushion against rocks and give better traction, and there are options for all price limits, ranging from £30 all the way up to £160 and beyond.
Dragon Boat Racing
A sport people in Bradford are familiar with thanks to the annual festival in aid of the Lord Mayor’s Appeal, it puts a team in a long narrow vessel all paddling in unison.
Following the easing of lockdown it can now resume, and the city’s very own club Bradford Barracudas welcomes members of all skill levels.
The team train regularly at Doe Park Reservoir in Denholme, and out on the water it provides plenty of fresh air, camaraderie and is a great workout, getting the blood pumping and strengthening the upper body.
You can find out more about Bradford Barracudas by visiting their social media pages or website.
Octopush
What happens when you combine swimming, snorkelling and hockey? You get Octopush, one of the most unusual sports on offer, also known as underwater hockey
Teams push a puck along the floor of a swimming pool with small sticks, while wearing flippers and a snorkel, aiming to get it into the goal. It’s a great test of fitness, skill and teamwork.
There are the Skipton Ducks who play out of Craven Swimming Pool, and also nearby are Batley Barracudas if Skipton is a bit too far for people living in the city.
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