Physical activity: what is a "health sports house"?

Human beings are programmed to stand and to move. And yet, all health professionals see it: physical activity is down and the health crisis has further aggravated our sedentary lifestyle. According to the National Academy of Medicine, “During the first confinement, it was measured that physical activity was reduced by a third, that the daily time spent in a seated position had increased by almost 50%, leading from the first days to a state of muscular “deconditioning”. .” And that’s not all: in the absence of physical activity, the body is forced to rest, it malfunctions and makes the bed of more than 35 chronic diseases, including diabetes, osteoporosis, arteritis of the lower limbs… Inactivity and a sedentary lifestyle would thus be responsible for one in ten deaths in the world.

Objective: 500 sports-health centers throughout the territory

The High Authority for Health recommends that all adults practice moderate-intensity physical activity, at least 30 minutes a day (or 3 times 10 minutes), at least 5 times a week. Before the age of 18, it is one hour a day and, after the age of 65, it would be necessary, in addition, to balance exercises and muscle re-toning.

To encourage people to practice or resume sport, the Ministry in charge of Sports labels “Maisons Sport-Santé” which aim to welcome and guide “all people wishing to practice, develop or resume physical and sporting activity for the purposes of health and well-being, whatever their age”. are also intended for people suffering from long-term illnesses, chronic illnesses, cancers, etc. who must practice appropriate physical activity (APA).

As part of the 2019-2024 national sports-health strategy, 150 new sports-health centers (MSS) have received labeling since the start of 2021, which brings to 288 the number of establishments recognized throughout the territory. “We are preparing to label 140 others with a budget of 3.7 million euros, precise in Figaro Roxana Maracineanu, Minister Delegate for Sports. It is planned to create a network of 500 sport-health centers by 2022 throughout the country”. However, the label actually hides a disparity of reception places: health centers, sports associations, physiotherapists’ offices and even internet platforms can claim the title of “maison-sport-santé”. “But today there is at least one sports and health center per department,” said the Minister for Sports.

To find the one closest to you, click on the interactive map, here.

How to gradually resume physical activity?

Rest assured, if there is not (yet) a home-sport-health near you, is considered physical activity “any bodily movement produced by the skeletal muscles, resulting in an expenditure of energy greater than that of rest.”, in short, all movements that solicit your muscles and your metabolism, qwhether at home, at your place of work, during your travels or your leisure activities.

The MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task) is used as a unit of measurement of the intensity of physical activity. It is calculated for 1 hour of activity. The more intense the physical activity, the greater the energy expenditure. For example, sitting on a chair at rest, your level of energy expenditure is 1 MET and you must expend at least between 4 MET and 8 MET per day to break with a sedentary lifestyle.

Low intensity up to 3 MET: walk at a speed of less than 5 km/hour, walk your dog, get dressed… You don’t feel short of breath or perspiration.
Moderate intensity between 3 and 6 MET: playing badminton, walking briskly, weeding your garden… You keep breathing comfortably, without being out of breath, by being able to hold a conversation, to appreciate the environment and your practice.
High intensity between 6 and 9 MET: climbing stairs quickly, playing football, swimming the breaststroke, climbing, rowing… The physical effort is high. It causes significant shortness of breath, profuse sweating and a strong pulse rate: it is difficult to hold a conversation.
High intensity above 9 MET: cycling at more than 25 km/h, running (9 to 16 km/h), scuba diving, judo, handball, rugby… Physical effort is very important, everything like shortness of breath and sweating: you can no longer hold a conversation.

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