While sitting in a cafe in Edinburgh, Scotland, J.K. Rowling invented the highly competitive wizards' game, Quidditch, for inclusion in her Harry Potter novels. Today, thanks to students at Middlebury College, Vermont, mortals can play too, as long as they keep that broomstick between their legs. There are 134 campus-based Quidditch teams in the U.S. and another 170-plus around the world. The rules: "Seekers search for the Snitch off the pitch. The Snitch will return to the pitch during the match, and if there has not been a clean snatch off pitch, the hunt will continue on the pitch."
Well, the Scots have always been keen to stay in shape, but in this case it's American students who've upped the ante. Now, if only more Americans would follow that broom and move!
A new study shows that nearly two-thirds of Scottish adults meet physical activity guidelines compared with only one fifth in the United States (both countries say to get 150 minutes weekly). And fewer than 30 percent of American 18- to 30-year-olds meet U.S. Army guidelines for physical and mental fitness!
Since most Scots reach their number without playing Quidditch (or any sport) what are they doing? Walking, occupational activities, housework, do-it-yourself chores and gardening play a big part in Scottish health.
Show the Scots your caber-bilities. Aim for the equivalent of 10,000 steps a day. An hour of gardening can equal 4,800 steps and an hour of household chores easily can count as 4,400. So pick up your broom and get moving!
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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