Dear Editor,

The World Health Organization (WHO) affirms in a report that 31 per cent, or 1.8 billion people did not meet the recommended levels of physical activity in 2022.

For many Jamaicans, the most difficult part of becoming physically active is finding the motivation to get started.

New findings from a study I conducted suggests that a physical fitness assessment may be the impetus sedentary individuals need to take that first step toward a healthier lifestyle.

The study explored how physical assessments influence motivation in individuals who are not regularly active. It also sought to determine whether these assessments encourage people to move more and which assessment measures had the greatest impact on becoming active.

The study involved 120 participants drawn from 12 workplaces locally. They completed an online survey about how the experience affected their motivation to increase physical activity. The assessment included common health measures such as body mass index (BMI), body fat composition, and resting and recovery heart rate.

The results were striking. An overwhelming 98 per cent of participants reported that the physical assessment motivated them to become more physically active. For many, seeing their results in black and white made health risks feel real and urgent while highlighting potential susceptibility to non-communicable diseases (NCD).

Nearly 40 per cent of respondents said they were motivated to increase physical activity after recognising the potential health risks linked to physical inactivity. Another 32 per cent identified BMI as the single assessment that most strongly drove them into action.

These findings suggest when the individuals are given clear, personalised information about our health, initial awareness, inspires positive behavioural change from the better understanding of their current health status.

As our nation grapple with addressing rising levels of physical inactivity, strategies of conducting physical fitness assessments may help turn awareness into action.

Michael Huggan

michaelhuggan42@gmail.com