MPs are set to hear from three Sheffield Hallam University academics tomorrow (1 Dec) as they give evidence to Select Committees on the impact Covid-19 has had on health technology and grass roots sport.

COVID-19 has affected a disproportionate number of people with obesity in the UK. As such, the government has seen the pandemic as a “wake-up call” to the health risks of living with obesity. They have recently announced a long overdue strategy to tackle obesity in Britain. However, the proposals are not without criticism, and some feel the government’s plans aren’t enough to end obesity.

Before the Covid-19 pandemic, the UK Government – like most other governments across the globe – were obsessed by economic growth as the key measure of success. Growth brings prosperity, we were told; prosperity brings jobs and this is good. But what’s the point of all this prosperity if we’re just going to spend it all on healthcare? Wealth does not always equal health.

There’s a thin line between working hard enough and working too hard. Pushing your body to reach new levels of fitness requires commitment, effort and a willingness to put yourself through intense, challenging workouts on a regular basis. But more isn’t always better. Without the right balance of rest and recovery you could end up spiralling into a long-term fatigue condition called overtraining syndrome.

The AWRC is the flagship research centre at the heart of the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park. Its vision is to improve the health and wellbeing of the population through innovations that help people move.