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Email enquiriesThe University of Ulster’s vision is to be the leading university for sport in Ireland and the Ulster Sports Academy has now expanded to offer the services of a Physical Activity Officer.
We recognise the vital role that physical activity plays in assisting health and well being.
At the University of Ulster we have the staff expertise to design and deliver quality training programmes that support all.
We have established and manage a portfolio of high quality coach education courses, clinics, and camps.
The WHO (World Health organisation, 1997) describes physical activity as “All movements in everyday life, including work, recreation and sporting activities”. In layman’s terms physical activity involves getting your body moving and using energy (expending kilocalories).
“Trying to do 30 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week will have major health benefits” (Health Promotion Agency, NI 2004).
Physical activity does not need to be strenuous to be beneficial and the 30 minutes can be accumulated throughout the day.
Physical activity is a vital part of maintaining and improving health and thus provides individuals with a number of specific benefits.
These benefits include improving your health; energy; metabolism; mood; concentration; strength and self esteem, as well as helping to manage your stress levels and weight.
Another positive to being physical active is that it can also improve your social life, as attending classes and going to the gym is a great way for meeting like minded people.
With 7 out of 10 men and 8 out of 10 women in Northern Ireland not taking enough exercise there is a recognised need to encourage an active lifestyle. Research has highlighted that even small amounts of physical activity reduce the risk of CVD (cardio vascular disease)-doing 5 and a half hours per week can reduce the risk massively but even walking greater than 2 hours a week can reduce the risk of CVD by 70%
Pulses and Pounds is an eight week weight management programme developed by the Physical Activity Promotion Officer (the first course took place on the Jordanstown campus in October 2009).
The programme is designed to help individuals improve their overall health and fitness, whilst keeping the activities fun and informative.
Each week participants have a weigh in (and in weeks one and eight BMI and blood pressure are measured); these results are recorded, so as progress can be monitored over the 8 week period.
Participants take part in physical activity sessions each week ranging from dodge ball to badminton and softball to yoga. We are offering a variety of activities to participants to make the programme as interesting and exciting as possible.
Participants also receive resources (healthy recipes; factsheets and exercises to do at home) each week, which assists them in achieving their health and fitness goals.
The Magee Campus will be running this programme (now called Pulses For Pounds) from Tuesday 19th January to Tuesday 16th March. For more information on this course and to register a place contact Gavin O’Kane (G.OKane@ulster.ac.uk)
The Programme is now running on the Jordanstown Campus from Wednesday 3rd February to Wednesday 31st March.
Below are some comments made by participants in the Pulses and Pounds Programme:
“I found the course very enjoyable, it made me think more about getting away from my desk and actually undertaking some exercises at lunchtime. It also reminded me about the great facilities we have at work via the sports centre and their staff”.
“Encouragement from the tutor; variety of tasks; and the interaction with others helps with doing the exercises and helps to instil discipline for exercising regularly”.
McVitie's Jaffa Cakes Mud Madness Event 28th March 2010-01-08
Mud Madness is the ultimate muddy challenge that you will ever undertake. The event includes running/jogging or crawling your way through fields, bogs and ponds, under a cargo net and over a climbing wall.
This event takes place on the 28th March at Foymore Lodge (105 Dungannon Road) Portadown.
The University would like to enter teams for this event from each campus…..so we are looking for anyone who is up for a bit of challenge and with some enthusiasm!!!!! You will get muddy but that is all part of the fun!!!!
Teams must consist of 3 members and there is a cost of £16 to enter the event……….by signing up for Mud Madness this could be your motivation to get fit and healthy for the New Year!!!!
Anyone can take part in the event-young or old (must be over the age of 17), elite athlete or a first timer…..what else would you be doing on a Sunday afternoon when you may as well be crawling your way through a muddy course!!!!!
Check out the website for more information www.mud-madness.com
Or contact Treasa Rice (Physical Activity Promotion Officer) tm.rice@ulster.ac.uk (extension 66626) to register your university team.
Already Active? Help a Friend Get Moving
Fit in an extra activity during your working day to increase the amount of daily exercise you do.
Instead of parking as near as possible to the entrance of work try parking at the other end of the car park and walking a bit of the way………you can burn 6.3 calories per minute by walking briskly, this equates to 63 calories in ten minutes!!
Quote of the month:
Don’t ask yourself, 'Can I?' but 'Am I willing to do what it takes?'... because yes! You can!"
So you think you can “River” Dance
For Sports Relief the Ulster Sport Academy are holding a:
So you think you can “River” Dance competition
with all the proceeds going to this worthy cause.
So if you think you could out do Michael Flatley by becoming Lord of the Dance, this is your chance to “Jig” or “Reel” your way to raising much needed money for Sports Relief!
We are looking for 6 teams (ranging from 4, 6 or 8 members) to enter. Each team will be given a dance to learn with the final dances being performed on Tuesday 16th March.
To give you an idea of what we will be looking for; the following is some of the criteria the judges will be basing your performances on;
(There will be an entry fee of £5 for each team entering into the competition.)
Money Raised - Each team will be asked to raise money for sports relief - with the team who raise the most money being awarded extra marks
To download a Sport Relief sponsor form use this link: http://www.sportrelief.com/sites/all/assets/documents/sponsorship_form.pdf
For all those taking part a master class will be held on Thursday 11th March to help teams out with the dances and point you in the right direction.
THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO DO SOMETHING FUN TO HELP SAVE LIVES.
For information contact-Treasa Rice-Physical Activity Promotion Officer tm.rice@ulster.ac.uk (extension 66626)
For more information on up and coming Physical Activity Events and Programmes contact the University of Ulster, Physical Activity Promotion Officer.
Email Treasa Rice or call 02890366626
