HEALTH SCIENCES the effects of the pandemic on the to moderate levels of psychological was that physical activity and exercise farmers and farm workers engaged distress. Although most of the benefited the farmers at a time when in producing the food that would farmers (69% of those sampled) they were experiencing enormous feed into supply chains and would be reported engaging in enough physical stress. As a result, Professors van processed for consumption. activity and exercise, only 22.2% Niekerk and Goon recommend the This then resulted in the design achieved the 150 to 300 minutes of promotion of exercise for farming of a study which used a survey moderate aerobic activity or exercise communities. administered to 212 commercial, per week recommended by the World Apart from its contribution to small-scale and emerging farmers Health Organisation (WHO). All the scientific knowledge, this study with an average age of 37.5 years farmers who reported in engaging in demonstrates a commitment to engaged in livestock, poultry, enough physical activity or exercise research with the potential to impact vegetable and crop production. The noted that this benefited their mental on local communities. It also provides survey showed that, although only health. However, those who reported lessons for anyone reading this about 20% of those who participated only engaging in ‘enough’ physical article. The pandemic led to increased contracted the virus (and an even activity or exercise found that this stress levels for everyone, regardless smaller proportion were ill enough to did not contribute to physical health of their occupation. How many of us require hospitalisation), the impact of benefits. used physical exercise and activity activity and exercise on their mental The two researchers also found to reduce stress and improve our well-being was very important. that 36.5% of the farmers in their physical health even within the The pandemic affected food study were overweight and 30.7% constraints of lockdown? Thanks are production and trading and, as a were obese. Although they identify due to Professors van Niekerk and result, income dropped, leading to the potential impact of diet in their Goon for providing us all with food one in three of the farmers who took paper reporting on the study, the for thought about what we can do to part in the survey reporting that they, study itself did not assess this improve and maintain our health in and their workers, experienced mild specifically. However, what was clear the future. Research Report 2021/2022 | 40