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Are Hongkongers getting enough exercise? Survey says no, with many too tired and unmotivated to make time

  • More than half of Hongkongers do not meet the level of activity recommended by the World Health Organization, a citywide survey has found
  • A common reason given for lack of physical activity among children, teenagers and adults was tiredness

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Exercising is a preventive measure against ill health, an academic has noted. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Hongkongers of all ages are too tired to get enough exercise, a physical fitness survey has found, with sports experts pointing to insufficient rest and a lack of motivation as reasons.

Results released on Tuesday from the citywide government survey revealed that more than half of residents across three age groups did not meet the level of activity recommended by the World Health Organization.

The study, which polled 9,326 Hongkongers between July 2021 and last December, found that 53.8 per cent of adults did not manage to clock up 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity or 60 minutes of vigorous activity a week.

A common reason given for the lack of physical activity among children, teenagers and adults was tiredness.

Young people are getting less exercise than adults. Photo: SCMP
Young people are getting less exercise than adults. Photo: SCMP

Lobo Louie Hung-tak, senior lecturer of health and physical education at the Education University of Hong Kong, said insufficient sleep among residents of all ages caused fatigue, diminishing their chances of doing sports.

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