Sedate bank holiday pursuits may be more dangerous than we think, according to the latest research from AposTherapy.
As the Mayday weekend approaches, a new study reveals the hidden dangers of seemingly 'harmless' hobbies like gardening and DIY.
According to the findings, one in ten Brits have been injured while gardening - four times as many as those who suffered on the ski-slopes. A quarter endured decreased mobility and some were even hospitalised.
DIY has a similarly high casualty rate with 1 in 20 enthusiasts hurt whilst 'fixing up the house' - more than those harmed whilst horse riding or rock climbing.
Other, 'safe' pursuits also surprisingly cause injury. Walks in the country lead to more accidents than mountain biking. And, those planning to give their home a 'spring clean' should be cautious as housework results in more mishaps than snowboarding.
Poor posture and manual handling skills are the primary cause of these 'sedentary leisure injuries' according to Bupa which provides AposTherapy, a drug and surgery free therapy.
They also disproportionately affect the over-50s, but are certainly not limited to this group. In fact, twenty and thirty somethings suffer as many injuries through gardening as competitive sports.
Commenting on the findings from AposTherapy, Dr Peter Mace, Bupa's assistant medical director said:Anyone planning to spend time gardening or decorating this weekend should remember that they may be using muscle groups and joints they haven't exercised in a long while. There are simple precautions people can take to avoid injury and the onset of a chronic condition. For instance simple stretching and remembering correct posture can make a massive difference.
Visit www.apostherapy.co.uk to find out more about the pioneering non-surgical therapy that is enabling many Britons to take control of chronic knee and back pain.
Ends
Contact Us
Bupa's purpose is to help people lead longer, healthier, happier lives. A leading international healthcare group, we offer personal and company health insurance, run care homes for older people and hospitals, and provide workplace health services, health assessments and chronic disease management services, including health coaching, and home healthcare.
With no shareholders, we invest our profits to provide more and better healthcare, and fulfill our purpose. We are committed to making quality, patient-centred, affordable healthcare more accessible in the areas of wellness, chronic disease management and ageing.
Employing more than 52,000 people, Bupa has operations around the world, principally in the UK, Australia, Spain, New Zealand and the USA, as well as Hong Kong, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, India, China and across Latin America.
For more information, visit www.bupa.com.
