DOHA: The number of people who complain of not getting time for physical exercises is on the rise in Qatar, shows an online survey.
The survey conducted by Agency 222 on the impact of Qatar National Sport Day (NSD) on the nation’s health also found that many people are now spending less time for physical activity compared to a year ago.
Of the surveyed, only eight percent said they have not participated in any sport or physical activity over the last 12 months, down from 11.1 percent last year. A total of 379 Qataris and expatriates took part in the online survey.
Although more people are involved in some level of physical activity when compared to last year, the survey did also reveal that time constraints was felt to be a major reason for not taking part in more physical exercise, with nearly 60 percent of participants quoting this as a main factor preventing them from exercising more often, up from 48 percent in 2013.
Additionally, the amount of exercise sessions and the duration of those sessions in Qatar have also reduced, with 30 percent of participants answering that they exercise regularly (three or more times per week) down from 37 per cent last year.
People are also spending an average of less time exercising, with 33 percent of those surveyed spending less than 30 minutes exercising during a session compared to 21 percent last year.
Aerobics and cardio exercise is the most popular sports activity with over 37 percent of participants revealing these to be their preferred physical activity.
The second most popular activity over the last 12 months was football at 36.5 percent. When not taking part in exercise, football, tennis and athletics continue to be the three most popular sports amongst Qatari’s residence to watch on TV.
National Sport Day has clearly awakened greater countrywide interest in staying fit and healthy, with 88 percent agreeing that National Sport Day is a good way to promote sports and its health benefits to the people of Qatar.
Due to the success of the initiative, more people support the country’s investment in sports and the promotion of physical activity, with 85 percent of participants agreeing that Qatar needs to have more awareness campaigns to promote the health benefits of regular physical activity.
Significantly, more than a quarter of participants revealed that they have taken up a new sport as a consequence of trying it during last year’s Nation Sport Day. Furthermore, over three quarter of participants are planning to be involved in the 2014 National Sport day activities, meaning this year’s event is already set to be a huge success in encouraging people to get active.
The Peninsula
