Step into SPRING, now is the time to get active!
Did you know physical literacy is a gateway to physical activity, a foundation to healthy aging, and can help prevent falls? Physical literacy can be summarized as having the skills, confidence, and love of movement to be active for life. Developing physical literacy means:
- being able to read the environment
- knowing how to move within it, and having the skill and fitness to do so in effective ways, whatever the challenge
Physical literacy begins with the development of basic motor skills such as walking, wheeling, catching, throwing, etc. Eventually these basic motor skills evolve into more complex and diverse movement patterns – ranging from hiking on uneven terrain to pickleball! We have many year-round recreational activities and facilities in the Municipality of Chatham-Kent. Visit: www.chathamkent.ca/livingck/ livinginck/dailylife/Pages/Things-to-Do.aspx to learn more!
The ability of older adults to move freely and easily is critical for physical health and independence. Older adults need physical literacy just as much as children do to prevent falls, injuries, and to improve quality of life. A person with a high degree of physical literacy can successfully navigate potential hazards in their environment like icy surfaces, thereby reducing their risk of falls and injury.
The development of physical literacy is a lifelong process of growth and renewal. Maintaining mobility and preventing injury is vital to living independently as we age. Physical literacy is a journey, not a destination! So this Spring, let’s get moving!
• Start slowly and listen to your body.
• Every step counts – adding any amount of physical activity can provide health benefits.
• Pick physical activities you enjoy and that match your abilities.
• See your doctor for a prescription to participate in fitness and activities.
• Check out some of the local trails to experience a different piece of beautiful Chatham-Kent!
Find trails by visiting our website: https://chathamkenttrails.ca/trails/
This article was written & submitted by: Lisa Tetrault – Public Health Nurse Emily Guerin – Public Health Educator www.ckphu.com/
