Wicksteed helps promote a healthier lifestyle:
Wicksteed helps promote a healthier lifestyle - Wicksteed Playscapes is lending full support to the ISPAL (Institute for Sports, Park & Leisure) by sponsoring the Spring Outdoors for a Healthier Life seminar which is taking place on March 24th at the Highpoint Conference Centre in Leicester.
ISPAL is the professional membership body for a fast-growing and vibrant market, representing sports, parks and leisure industry personnel and the seminar will showcase a series of case studies and practical experiences which support and encourage individuals to get more healthy by maximising the outdoor space on their doorsteps.
Catering for all ages from 3 right up to adult, Wicksteed is the UK’s leading supplier of playground, fitness and sports equipment to local authorities, architects, schools and local communities. This company certainly knows a thing or two about fitness as it has been designing and supplying outdoor playgrounds and sports areas since 1918.
Wicksteed works closely with Staffordshire University’s Centre for Sport and Exercise Research, who undertake specific research programmes for them with regard to the usage of their outdoor fitness equipment. Designed to ensure maximum health benefits for all ages, Wicksteed’s Xerscape range will be on show at the seminar for all to try.
Staffordshire University professors have just completed a commission by Wicksteed to carry out research on children’s heart profiles and calorie conversion rates. Fitted with heart monitors, groups of children aged between 9-11 engaged in different types of activity including aerobic (good for heart, lungs and circulation), flexibility, agility, balance and co-ordination which is good for general mobility.
The test results revealed that those playing on the PlayAlive system were exercising mostly at between 60 and 80 percent of their age-related maximum heart rate. This equates to moderate to vigorous physical activity. Based on the average heart rate profiles, it was estimated that the children were using approximately 100-220kcal (calories) for each 15 minutes they spent on the equipment. The kids continued to expend further calories, even after they had finished their sessions on the system, as their heart rates continued to be raised.
Dr Jacky Forsyth, Senior Lecturer in Exercise Physiology Sport and Exercise at Staffordshire University, commented: “The physical activity recommendation for children is to accumulate at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day. Therefore, any equipment that encourages children to exercise regularly will be hugely beneficial to their health and well being.” << back to media centre
