Beyond Medical Recommendations: What Drives Spaniards to Play Sports?
José Félix Tezanos, president of the Center for Sociological Research (CIS), has revealed surprising data about the reasons that move Spaniards to practice sports.
According to a recent survey on sports habits in Spain, medical prescription or recommendation represents a small fraction of the reasons that drive people to exercise.
Main Motivations for Sports Practice
Contrary to what one might think, only 1.6% of those surveyed perform physical activity on medical advice. This percentage rises slightly to 3.4% among those who are already regular athletes.
However, the results reveal that the desire to maintain and improve health is the main driver behind exercise, accounting for 35.9% of responses overall and an impressive 74.9% among active respondents.
For 50.2% of those who practice sports regularly, health is the main reason, followed by other reasons such as physical and mental well-being.
Importance of Cardiovascular Prevention
Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death in Spain and in the world, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics. In 2021, they represented 26.4% of deaths in Spain.
Given this reality, various initiatives have emerged to promote physical activity as a preventive measure.
For example, in June 2023, the Xunta de Galicia approved a health strategy that allows doctors to prescribe physical exercise to control chronic pathologies and promote healthy habits.
In the Community of Madrid, the preventive approach has proven to be effective, with a 50% reduction in mortality from cardiovascular diseases in the last two decades, according to the Report on the State of Population Health.
It is important to highlight that this information comes from reliable sources, such as official institutions and health professionals.
However, it is always advisable to consult a specialist in case of doubts related to personal health.
