PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND THE PREVENTION OF DISEASE Facts and figures

The material presented in this booklet is concerned with the impact of physical activity practiced by the general public, irrespective of age and sex, of various North American and European countries. Major emphasis is on the individual's physical health and susceptibility to disease. Chapter one discusses diseases which occur most frequently in populations, costs of health expenditures, and improvement of health standards. Chapter two presents iemographic studies attempting to correlate the amount of physical activity with coronary disease and detailsiways in which the heart can be protected. Chapter three deals with physical activity and neuroph.ysiological equilibrium; chapter four takes up physical activity and the capacity for work; and chapters five and six describe physiological characteristics of aging and physical activities necessary for optimal enjoyment of life. (Related document: ED 007 485.) (JB) The Council of Europe was established by ten nations on 5 May 1949, since when its membership has progressively increased to eighteen, Its aim is " to achieve a greater unity between its Members for the purpose of safeguarding and realising the ideals and principles which are their common heritage and facilitating their economic and social progress". This aim is pursued by discussion of questions of common concern and by agreements and common action in economic, social, cultural, scientific, legal and administrative matters. The Council for Cultural Co-operation was set up by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on 1 January 1982 to draw up proposals for the cultural policy of the Council of Europe, to co-ordinate and give effect to the overall cultural programme of the organisation and to allocate the resources of the Cultural Fund. It is assisted by three permanent committees of senior officials for higher education and research, for general and technical education and for out-of-school education. An the member governments of the Council of Europe, together with Finland, Spain and the Holy See which have acceded to the European Cultural Convention, are represented on these bodies '. In educational matters, the aim of the Council for Cultural Co-operation (CCC) is to help to create conditions in which the right educational opportunities are available to young Europeans whatever their background or level of academic accomplishment, and to facilitate their adjustment to changing political and social conditions. This entails in particular a greater rationalisation of the complex educational process. Attention is paid to all influences bearing on the acquisition of knowledge, from home television to advanced research ; from the organisation of youth centres to the improvement of te. cher training. The countries concerned will thereby be able to benefit from the experience of their neighbours in the planning and reform of structures, curricula and methods in all branches of education. From 1963 to 1968 the CCC published, in English and French, a series of works of general interest entitled "Education in Europe", which recorded the results of expert studies and intergovernmental investigations conducted within the framework of its programme. A list of these publications will be found at the end of the volume. These works are being supplemented by a series of "companion volumes " of a more specialised nature, including catalogues, handbooks, bibliographiesetc., as well as selected reports of meetings and studies on more technical subjects. These publications, to which the present study belongs, are also listed at the end of the volume. General Editor : The Director of Education and of Cultural and Scientific Affairs, Council of Europe, StrasLJurg (France). The opinions expressed in these studies are not to be regarded as reflecting the policy of individual governments or of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. Applications for reproduction and translation should be addreued to the General Editor. L For complete Wt, sea back of cover. FILMED FROM BEST AVAILABLE COPY