Every year on 10 May, Global Move for Health Day serves as a reminder that physical activity is not about gym memberships or elite athleticism. It is a fundamental human behaviour, and one that millions of people are simply no longer doing enough of.
The Covid-19 pandemic left a lasting mark on how South Africans move. Lockdowns normalised extended periods of sitting, and the shift to remote work stripped out the incidental movement that used to fill ordinary days: commuting, social events, walking between offices. Even after restrictions were lifted, the sedentary patterns largely stayed.
The consequences are significant. According to the World Health Organisation, physical inactivity is now the fourth-leading risk factor for global mortality, directly linked to an elevated risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers and depression.
