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12 October 2020
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Story Arina Engelbrecht
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Photo Supplied
Arina Engelbrecht from Organisational Development and Employee Well-being believes physical activity has a number of benefits for one’s health, including stress relief.
Being physically active plays a big role in preventing the development of mental-health problems and in improving the quality of life of people experiencing mental-health problems.
Treatment for depression
Physical activity can be an alternative treatment for depression. It can be used as a stand-alone treatment or in combination with medication and/or psychological therapy. It promotes all kinds of changes in the brain, including neural growth, reduced inflammation, and new activity patterns are formed that promote feelings of calm and well-being. It releases endorphins – powerful chemicals in the brain that energise your spirit and make you feel good.
Physical activity can be very effective in relieving stress. Research in adults has found that physically active individuals tend to have lower stress levels compared to individuals who are less active. It also leads to improved sleep. When a person sleeps better and feels more rested, overall quality of life improves. They cope better with daily life stressors.
Reduce Alzheimer's risk
Regular physical activity can reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer's disease by up to 50%. It can also slow down further deterioration in those who have already started to develop cognitive problems. It stimulates the brain’s ability to maintain old connections as well as to make new ones.
A study asked people to rate their mood immediately after periods of physical activity (e.g. going for a walk/run, cycling, doing housework) and periods of inactivity (e.g. reading a book or watching television). Researchers found that participants felt more content, more awake, and calmer after being physically active compared to after periods of inactivity.
In conclusion, people who are physically active feel a sense of well-being, feel more energetic throughout the day, sleep better at night, have sharper memories, and feel more relaxed and positive about themselves and their lives.
“Being physically active not only changes your body, it changes your mind,
attitude, and your mood.” – Arina Engelbrecht
UFS honours its sport stars
2008-10-24
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The UFS's sport stars are, from the left: Robert Ebersohn, junior mens sport star, Boy Soke, Sportsman of the Year, and Mari-Lise Linde, junior women sport star. Adéle Niemand, Sportswoman of the Year, was absent.
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The University of the Free State (UFS) this week honoured its sport stars during the annual Kovsie Sports Dinner, held in Bloemfontein.
Boy Soke, long distance runner who has obtained national colours in all three disciplines of athletics was named Sportsman of the Year. Protea netball player Adéle Niemand was named Sportswoman of the Year for the second consecutive year.
The Cheetah and Springbok sevens rugby player, Robert Ebersohn and netball player Mari-Lise Linde were named junior sport stars.
“The inclusion of five of our students in the South African team that took part in the Beijing Olympic Games is an indication of the standard of sport at the university. We are proud of all our sportsmen and women and salute them for the effort they put in to achieving their goals,” said Mr James Letuka, Director of KovsieSport.
The UFS this year had several other achievements, namely: The inclusion of eight Free State cricket players in the amateur team, the hockey team winning the University Sport South Africa (USSA) B section, the inclusion of three soccer players in the USSA team, rugby winning the USSA competition for the second time, netball winning gold on the USSA tournament for the fourth consecutive year, and the ladies tennis winning the USSA tournament.
The following awards were also made in the university’s different sporting codes during the Kovsie Sports Dinner:
Roné Reyneke: Athletics
Boy Soke: Athletics
Murray Capon: Hockey
Cherie Smith: Hockey
Doretha Joubert: Netball
Riaan Jordaan: Cricket
Wayne Stevens: Rugby
Karin Coetzee: Tennis
Willem Steenkamp: Tennis
Gabisele Hlumbane: Soccer
Lehlohonolo Mofokeng: Soccer
Prof. Martin Dednam: Devoted service to badminton
Sarah Shannon: Special merit award for participating in the Paralympics Games in Beijing
The guest speaker was Dr Derik Coetzee who was the head of Springbok Rugby Team’s conditioning during last year’s Rugby World Cup.
Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za
23 October 2008
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