ExerciseNZ’s Richard Beddie says exercising for mental health is ‘critical’

September 23, 2022

ExerciseNZ Chief Executive Richard Beddie has declared that the COVID challenges of the last three years shows exercise and mental health are critical considerations for all New Zealanders.

Citing newly published research from Dartmouth College in the UK, drawing on data from 113 Fitbit users across a 12-month period to study the nuances of exercise’s effects on brain function and mental health, Beddie (pictured below) stated “this latest research is yet another reminder of the power of regular exercise, something which is available to everyone and has no negative side effects.”

While most research focuses on how exercise can be beneficial for brain health, from combating depression, to fighting dementia, to boosting memory, the Dartmouth College took a long-term view, tapping into long term Fitbit data to gauge the impacts of different types of physical activity.

Published in the journal Scientific Reports, the results demonstrated how complicated the relationship between exercise and brain health is.

While the researchers had expected to find a general positive trend between higher physical activity and memory and mental health, it wasn’t quite that simple. Low-intensity exercise brought improvements to specific memory tasks, while high-intensity exercise brought improvements specifically to others.

Stating that approaches to mental wellness need to focus more on supporting people to prevent issues, rather than just popping pills to treat them, Beddie explained “exercise is hugely more important for people’s mental health. In 2018, just seven percent of the public surveyed by ExerciseNZ said they exercised for mental health. It’s a totally different story today.

“Our latest survey shows 63% of people are now exercising to help with their mental health. This is really positive and is a greater awareness of why exercise helps on so many levels.”

Beddie says the health system focuses far too much on treating mental health like every other condition by medicating when the issue gets severe enough, adding “this approach just isn’t working and isn’t sustainable. We have the opportunity to be creative with a focus on prevention and providing more tools to help people manage themselves, and also know when to ask for help.

“Wellness if a continuum. We need to focus on supporting people to be well, not just treating people when they get sick. Exercise has proven to help with every dimension of the wellness spectrum and needs to be embraced and used by the government more.

“Mental health and memory are central to nearly everything people do. The study is trying to build a foundation for understanding how different intensities of physical exercise affect different aspects of mental and cognitive health.”

Click here to view an abstract of the study.

Main image courtesy of Fitness First.

19th August 2022 - ExerciseNZ’s Richard Beddie calls for New Zealand Government to deliver clear messages on the benefits of activity

10th August 2022 - AUSactive webinars to offer mental health support

21st July 2022 - New study shows male players miss mental benefits of sport during COVID

12th April 2022 - VicHealth partners with community organisations to support mental wellbeing of Victoria’s youth

29th March 2022 - New Chair and Vice Chair for Global Health and Fitness Alliance

15th March 2022 - Australian Institute of Sport expands services for mental health support

14th March 2022 - AUSactive’s Barrie Elvish highlights cost of Australia’s physical and mental health crisis to Federal Treasurer

14th December 2021 - Richard Beddie recognised for industry advocacy at New Zealand Exercise Industry Awards

30th November 2021 - ExerciseNZ’s Richard Beddie welcomes latest research advising longer lives are tied to physical activity

2nd October 2021 - New Zealand fitness leaders appointed to IHRSA’s global health and fitness council

16th September 2021 - ExerciseNZ’s Richard Beddie highlights that gyms and fitness centres are part of the COVID solution

12th September 2021 - Decoding the mental health benefits of exercise

11th August 2021 - Cycling New Zealand to review mental health support following sudden death of Olympian Olivia Podmore

16th July 2021 - ExerciseNZ study shows that New Zealanders have gained tonnes of weight during Coronavirus pandemic

22nd April 2021 - New research examines the effects of sedentary behaviour on mental wellness

4th February 2021 - ExerciseNZ wants meeting with Prime Minister Ardern over crisis in childrens’ activity

22nd January 2021 - ExerciseNZ urges seniors to get fitter before their COVID vaccinations

5th January 2021 - ExerciseNZ shares advice on gym reopenings

4th January 2021 - ExerciseNZ’s Richard Beddie recommends activity as a cure for personal challenges of COVID-19

21st December 2020 - ExerciseNZ’s Richard Beddie advises that steady exercise counts

1st December 2020 - ExerciseNZ’s Richard Beddie backs WHO’s new weekly health activity guidelines

26th November 2020 - Fitbit names JMDC as exclusive distributor of Fitbit Premium for enterprise customers in Japan

15th November 2020 - Health2Sync study reveals benefits of fitbit wearable device integration with diabetes care

20th October 2020 - ExerciseNZ cites growing evidence gyms and fitness clubs are safe

26th August 2020 - ExerciseNZ regrets New Zealand Government’s failure to pass commercial rent laws

30th January 2020 - ExerciseNZ’s Beddie calls for New Zealanders to be more active in 2020

2nd November 2019 - Google acquires Fitbit in US$2.1 billion deal

14th September 2019 - World-first sees Fitbit integration into Singapore’s public health program

20th August 2019 - ExerciseNZ’s Beddie highlights ways that activity increases life expectancy

10th March 2019 - Fitbit adds new products to its wearable technology portfolio

17th March 2014 - Technogym announces Fitbit integration

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.