Student Number: 39856956
Physical and Mental Health
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Sport is a large factor which impacts and benefits the physical and mental health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Since colonisation, First Nations peoples have experienced the introduction of new infections and the spread of diseases as well as dispossession and dislocation from family, community and Country. Due to these historical factors, in addition to ongoing factors such as access to healthcare, lower socioeconomic status and discrimination, the current physical and mental health outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are significantly lower than the health of non-Indigenous Australians.
For example, data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) has found that First Nations peoples experience disease and health issues 2.3 times more than the rate of the wider Australian community. As well as this, data from 2020 to 2022 shows the gap in life expectancy between First Nations people and non-Indigenous Australians was estimated to be 8.8 years for males and 8.1 years for females.
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Target 1 of 19 closing the gap targets aims in closing the gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples' life expectancy. Although there are other factors which contribute to this such as access to health care, education, and socioeconomic status, participating in a sport or having regular physical activity is vital in ensuring your body remains physically fit, which can greatly reduce the health gaps which are currently being experienced.
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As well as preventing diseases, sport and physical activity can assist in targeting current and existing diseases and help improve the quality of life for people with these diseases.
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Physical Health
The following statistics, from the AIHW has found that:
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46% of people having at least one chronic condition
71% of people above the age of 15 were overweight or obese, almost 29% were overweight and more than 43% were obese
89% of people aged 15 years and over did not meet the physical activity guidelines for their age
Physical inactivity during youth is one of the risk factors associated with preventable chronic diseases which are very common among First Nations peoples. The most physical diseases among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are obesity, diabetes, cancer and heart disease.
In 2018, physical inactivity contributed to 2.4% of the total disease burden among First Nations people. The following percentages are an estimate which represents the proportion of disease burden that could have been prevented if all First Nations people followed Australian physical activity guidelines:
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24% of the total disease burden due to type 2 diabetes
21% of coronary heart disease burden
16% of uterine cancer burden
Studies such as the 'After the Siren' report from 2017 which investigates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples participation in AFL at grassroots level and the impacts on an individual and community outcomes found key statistics and information surrounding health outcomes. It found that;
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People playing AFL were twice more likely to rate their health as excellent in comparison with those not staying physically active
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56% of children who participated in football were assessed as being in excellent health compared to 48% of those who had not participated in any organised sport.
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Children who played football were 6 percentage points less likely to be assessed as having learning difficulties due to health issues.
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​Statistics like these show how important it is for First Nations people to participate in an organised sport or any type of physical activity, as there are a large amount of diseases which can be prevented and rehabilitated.
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Getting more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people involved in sport can greatly improve physical health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Regular physical activity supports stronger bodies, healthier hearts, and stronger immune system. It also encourages healthy habits from a young age and boosts confidence and resilience. Sport brings First Nations peoples together and helps build stronger and healthier communities in the future.
Mental Health
As well as benefiting First Nations physical health, participating in a sport largely benefits mental and social health and wellbeing. 17% of First Nations people above the age of 2 have reported having anxiety, and 13% having depression. It has also been found that young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were playing sport or participating in some form of physical activity were 1.6 times less likely to have a serious mental health illness
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For many First Nations peoples participating in sport, it can significantly improve experiences with anxiety and depression and has improved their general mental health. Physical activity releases endorphins, reducing stress and anxiety and provides opportunities to have social interaction and a sense of accomplishment. Sport provides an external coping method for experiences with mental health illness and is why it is vital for participation rates to increase.
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Two graduates from the Indigenous Marathon Project spoke about the amazing benefits which running had for their minds and mindset. It helped them to challenge themselves, work hard, and fight against their mind telling them they couldn't do it. For one graduate, completing a marathon completely changed her mindset on being able to complete tasks as she previously struggled with being able to complete things. The other graduate spoke about how sport taught her skills such as determination which are important for the mind in thinking positively about life. These experiences show how important sport and working towards a goal was to their mental health.
Participating in sport can have a powerful impact on the mental health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, providing a positive outlet for stress, anxiety, and other emotional challenges. Being part of a team or community sport helps build a sense of belonging, identity, and cultural pride which also supports individual mental health. Individual factors such as self-esteem, motivation, and confidence, especially in young people can be targeted when playing a sport. Most importantly, it creates safe and supportive spaces, where people can connect, feel valued, and strengthen their mental wellbeing. ​​