{"id":271167,"date":"2018-09-16T09:00:10","date_gmt":"2018-09-16T07:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/?p=271167"},"modified":"2018-09-14T16:24:22","modified_gmt":"2018-09-14T14:24:22","slug":"these-are-south-africas-fittest-and-most-active-cities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/lifestyle\/271167\/these-are-south-africas-fittest-and-most-active-cities\/","title":{"rendered":"These are South Africa’s fittest and most active cities"},"content":{"rendered":"

Discovery Vitality has released the results of its latest Fittest City Index,<\/em> which tracks the exercise habits of clients through the Discovery app.<\/p>\n

According to\u00a0the head of Vitality Wellness, Dr Craig Nossel, there are two main behaviours causing significant illness and deaths among South Africans: “One, how we drive. Two, how much we move.”<\/p>\n

Nossel said the activity statistics in particular are quite staggering, adding that more than 5 million deaths globally could be avoided each year if people moved regularly, and more needs to be done to improve these statistics.<\/p>\n

“We need to start by understanding this behaviour better and creating an environment that encourages healthier lifestyles,” he said.<\/p>\n

Globally, one in four adults are not active enough and 10% of people die from causes related to a lack of physical activity. In South Africa, one in every two adults don\u2019t move enough, Discovery said.<\/p>\n

“That\u2019s more than double the global average of 23% \u2013 making us one of the most inactive countries, below Colombia, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Malaysia,” it said.<\/p>\n

Looking at South African cities,\u00a0when it comes to physical activity, Cape Town comes out on top as the fittest city, with Johannesburg and Pretoria a close second and third place.<\/p>\n

This is followed by Durban and Port Elizabeth, Discovery said.<\/p>\n

Bloemfontein is at the back \u2013 35% behind Cape Town\u2019s lead and also tracked the lowest numbers of gym visits, steps and outdoor activities.<\/p>\n

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The Fittest City Index is based on physical activity data, which includes gym workouts, steps tracked and outdoor activities completed.<\/p>\n

Gym Workouts<\/strong><\/p>\n

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This measure of physical activity takes an annual view of all gym workouts in each city, relative to the population size. Durban takes a close second, just 2% short of taking the top spot, with Bloemfontein in last place \u2013 30% behind winning city, Cape Town.<\/p>\n

Accessibility to a gym facility plays a role in these numbers, Discovery noted.<\/p>\n

Outdoor activity<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Qualifying outdoor activities that inform this report include race events (running, swimming, cycling, canoeing, paddling, surf ski, multi-sport events and obstacle course races), parkrun and myrun.<\/p>\n

After the Mother City, Joburg scores highest in this category \u2013 8% away from first place.<\/p>\n

Most steps<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Step tracking looks at qualifying step data (5,000 steps or more) from both fitness apps and devices over a year, relative to population size.<\/p>\n

When it comes to this metric, Pretoria has stepped up to second place, hot on Cape Town\u2019s heels, while Durban drops two rankings, to fourth place.<\/p>\n

South Africans need to move more<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cardiologist and President-elect of the South African Heart Association, Dr David Jankelow, said that inactivity in South Africa has not improved since 2001.<\/p>\n

“In addition to being important in disease prevention, movement is also key to healing,” he said.<\/p>\n

“Cardiac patients, for example, used to be kept immobile for a long time. Today, we know that getting them active is probably the most important thing. Exercise is a surprisingly simple antidote to lifestyle-related illnesses. It may in fact be more important than medicine when it comes to sustaining good health.”<\/p>\n

According to Discovery, it’s recommended that South Africans do the following to ensure they’re moving enough:<\/p>\n