Victoria's hub for health services and business
A gateway to the strategies, policies, programs and services delivered by the Department of Health & Human Services.
Victorian government portal for older people, with information about government and community services and programs.
Type a minimum of three characters then press UP or DOWN on the keyboard to navigate the autocompleted search results
Physical activity and fitness protect our health and can be fun. Walking, playing sport, swimming, cycling and gardening can all keep you fit. Stay safe and prevent injury during exercise by following some sensible tips.
The following content is displayed as Tabs. Once you have activated a link navigate to the end of the list to view its associated content. The activated link is defined as Active Tab
A kilojoule is a unit of measure of energy, in the same way that kilometres measure distance...
Body mass index or BMI is an approximate measure of your total body fat...
If you can talk but not sing, you?re exercising at the right intensity...
Want to exercise, but find gyms boring or expensive? Sue Stanley and Shane Bilsborough team up to show you how to exercise indoors and outdoors using your local surroundings - whether it's running up...
You need to drink enough and regularly to keep hydrated during exercise...
Exercise is important for your physical and mental health. Working out with a friend means you’re more likely to have fun and stick to your exercise plan...
Do some research before signing up at a fitness centre...
Many of us find it difficult to stick to some form of exercise, others don’t know where to start. Experts say the key to taking up or keeping to any form of physical activity is to have fun. Get off...
It’s important for kids to eat a wide variety of foods for a healthy, well-balanced diet and to be physically active. Creating healthy habits during childhood helps to ensure lifelong healthy...
Make sure your personal trainer is properly qualified before entering into any agreement...
Many men are only motivated to become more active after they have a health scare...
Physical activity can help older people maintain independence, recover from illness and reduce their risk of disease...
If you can't make the time to exercise for yourself, do it for your family...
Even if you’re busy, you still need to find a way to be physically active...
Just 30 minutes of moderate activity each day can improve your health and reduce the risk of developing certain conditions or diseases...
When you're trying to become more physically active, set realistic health and fitness goals...
There are many excuses we can come up with to avoid being active, but the truth is there is always a way to fit some physical activity into your day...
If you do resistance training repeatedly and consistently, your muscles become stronger...
Experts say the key to living well into our 80s and 90s is making a commitment to live healthily. Check out these simple ideas and embrace your senior years!...
If you are unfamiliar with what is involved, starting an exercise program can be challenging...
Children can learn new skills, have fun and develop self-confidence when they grow their own plants...
Gardening is a healthy activity that can be enjoyed by everyone...
Garden spaces and equipment can be modified or adapted to help older people enjoy gardening...
Gardening is an enjoyable form of exercise, but you need to take care...
The main thing is to choose physical activities that you enjoy and that you can stick to in the long term...
Choosing the right fitness centre or service provider requires some research...
You are more likely to keep up a healthy lifestyle change if your chosen activity suits you...
If you've been inactive and want to begin physical activity, see a doctor first...
Swimming is a great low-impact exercise for all ages and abilities. Australian marathon swimmer, Tammy Van Wisse shows ex-AFL (Australian Football League) player and coach, Tony Shaw some swimming...
Former world aerobics champion, Sue Stanley shows us how to overcome common exercise excuses...
If you think physical activity is boring, try exercising with a friend...
Physical activity won't just happen. Most activities require planning – starting and maintaining a physical activity program does too. Here are some tips to getting ready to exercise: Make...
Pick an activity you enjoy ... 10 tips to stay active year round...
Exercise can have an enormous impact on your mood. Not only can exercise help in treating depression, it can also prevent people from becoming depressed again. So it’s important to keep up an exercise...
There are lots of everyday activities that provide an opportunity to be active and provide health benefits...
Australians have one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world...
Physical Activity and Fitness Trainer Sherri Bourne gives us some great tips for staying active over the summer months...
Pick an exercise or fitness activity that appeals to you and suits your lifestyle...
When starting out an exercise program, it's really important to do a warm up and cool down before and after exercise...
Make stretching part of your life ... 10 tips for safe stretching...
Exercising regularly has wide-ranging physical, emotional and social health benefits. You need to exercise safely to remain healthy and injury-free. If it’s safe and painless, you’re more...
Aerobics injuries are usually caused by trauma and overuse, but can be prevented by using the right techniques and equipment...
Australian rules football is a physical contact sport that often results in injuries from tackling, kicking, running and constant competition for the ball...
Basketball is a sport enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities...
Basketball is a fast game with frequent and aggressive body contacts - injuries can and do occur...
Canoeing and kayaking can be done as a hobby, a competitive sport or as a fun activity on holidays...
Careful preparation and the right equipment can help prevent canoeing and kayaking injuries...
To play cricket you need to be fit and strong and have good hand-eye coordination and ball-handling skills...
Cricket is a very popular sport. Injuries are often caused by overuse, being struck by a cricket ball and falls...
Cycling can help to protect you from serious diseases...
You are much more likely to hurt yourself by falling off your bike or hitting a stationary object than colliding with another vehicle...
Dancing can be a fun way to stay fit for people of all ages and abilities...
Dancing is fun and a great form of exercise, but make sure you avoid injuries...
If you are planning to buy a dog, make sure you choose a breed that's appropriate to your lifestyle...
Training too hard or fast is a common cause of sports-related injuries...
Never go fishing alone ? always fish with someone else and, ideally, with two other people...
Golf provides a stimulating challenge, combined with a healthy walk in pleasant surroundings...
The average golfer playing an 18-hole game walks about seven kilometres...
Heat stress occurs when sweat can't evaporate fast enough to keep the body sufficiently cool during physical activity...
Carbohydrate is the most important nutrient for athletes...
Good nutrition and a healthy diet are essential to improving your sports performance...
It’s important for your health that you get enough physical activity every day, and that you limit your sedentary behaviour. But getting the amount of physical activity you need doesn’t have to be...
Stay independent for longer with regular exercise ... 10 tips for active seniors...
A young child is naturally active, so build upon their inclinations to use their body...
Sitting behind a desk all day doesn't mean you can't exercise...
Gardening has many health and therapeutic benefits, and is an activity that most people can enjoy...
Good nutrition and physical exercise help to keep Koori kids healthy and avoid diseases when they get older...
Reach out to the world around you for fun, a sense of achievement, social contact and mental stimulation...
Being physically active, eating well, socialising and improving your health can help you live a healthy, happy and active life as you get older...
Volunteering is great for our health – it makes us feel good, while helping others in the process...
Learn about improving and maintaining your health during a hospital stay...
Physical activity is an important part of health and wellbeing, and girls should remain active as they grow up...
Physical Activity and Fitness Trainer - Sherri Bourne shares a few easy and low-impact ways for seniors to stay healthy over the summer months...
Always consult with your doctor or midwife before starting any postnatal exercise program...
Unless you have complications, you should be able to exercise throughout your pregnancy...
Make sure that some family outings offer opportunities for physical activity, such as playing sport together...
Many sports can be adapted to suit people who are blind or have low vision...
Walking will improve your fitness and reduce your risk of heart disease...
Walking is great exercise for older people. It has a range of health and social benefits, and most people can do it...
Exercise can reduce some of the symptoms of arthritis, and improve joint mobility and strength...
Exercise-induced asthma can be prevented with medication and by preparing for exercise and physical activity...
A little physical activity and some breathing exercises can help people with lung disease...
People with cancer should be as physically active as their abilities and condition allow...
Adopting a 'brain healthy' lifestyle may reduce your risk of dementia in later life...
Many parents worry when their child with diabetes starts or returns to school...
It is rare for a person with epilepsy to have a seizure during physical activity, but you should always take safety precautions when exercising...
People with HIV or hepatitis B or C participate in a wide range of sports without restrictions, and the risk of transmission to another player is extremely small...
Women who are athletes or who exercise a lot on a regular basis are at risk of developing athletic amenorrhoea, which is the absence of periods...
Exercise can reduce the risk of fractures resulting from osteoporosis by both slowing the rate of bone loss, and reducing the person?s risk of falling by building muscle strength and improving balance...
People with osteoporosis talk about the role of diet and exercise in managing their condition...
A sports injury may be more severe than you think...
People with type 2 diabetes talk about positive lifestyle changes that improve their quality of life...
Provides immediate, expert health advice from a registered nurse. Call 1300 60 60 24
Explore our healthy living topics.
Explore our health recipes and get cooking to a healthier life.
Need more fruit and vegetables in your diet, find out how you can include them in your cooking.
.jpg?la=en&hash=B68CBF056CBE2F25D1A34BD2C225844CD200B921)