Get active – get a MUSA
Currently three in ten boys and four in ten girls aged two to 15
are not doing the amount of physical activity
recommended. Since 2003, obesity has risen by 38% in
adults and by 2010 it is thought that 22% of girls and 19% of boys
between the ages of two and 15 will be chronically obese.
The government recommends that children and young people get one
hour of physical activity a day. This activity should be of
at least moderate intensity and should include activities to
improve bone health, muscle strength and flexibility - activities
that are 'weight bearing' help build strong bones.
By providing a mix of physical sport and play challenges we can
encourage not only teenagers, but the wider community including
senior citizens to engage in fun activities that capture the
imagination and give real health and fitness benefits. We
believe that fitness and strength building should form part of the
experience, along with the development of new and existing skills
and in many cases we find that the benefits of a Multi Use Sports
Area (MUSA) can transform the fitness, activity and positive
participation levels of a community.
MUSA vs MUGA
Proludic believe that a MUGA should be all-encompassing and
appeal to a wider group. Although Proludic still offer the
traditional MUGA as an option, in many cases, we find that the
benefits of a MUSA overwhelmingly outweigh those of a simple ball
court.
The Traditional MUGA
Originally defined as being ‘an area used by the whole
community, across all age groups and both sexes, for a number of
sport and games’ the term MUGA has become to mean a tarmaced
ball court where teenagers practice and challenge each other to
ball games.
Whilst in some instances MUGAs provide an ideal solution, our
research has shown that in a large number of cases MUGAs do not
achieve the desired results. Our research has shown that they
often just provide a better facility for existing users rather that
attracting new participants.
Features & Benefits
- Caters well for team sports and competitive games.
- Low maintenance.
The MUSA Concept
A Multi Use Sports Area combines dynamic sports and outdoor
fitness equipment with ball and wheeled sports, providing teenagers
and the wider community with challenging and inclusive areas that
cross age ranges, skill levels, cultural boundaries and appeal to
both sexes.
Features & Benefits
- Appeals to a wider demographic due to the range of different
activities.
- Attracts girls as the activities provided reach far beyond
football and basketball.
- More inclusive as it provides a mix of team and individual
activities.
- Attracts families and senior citizens due to the available use
and nature of the activities.
- Sustainable as the varying levels of challenge keeps users
coming back.
- Reduces anti-social behaviour due to the challenge, risk and
physical exertion needed to master the equipment.
“Since we introduced our new concept, we have been
delighted with the response from our customers and with the
feedback from their communities. We have had particular
interest from those customers who are interested in appealing to
the wider demographic and actively involving girls in the sports
and play environment.” – Dave Bailey Proludic Marketing
Manager.
“Here in Rushcliffe we have built two MUSAs particularly
with the aim of engaging young people and teenagers in informal
physical activity. The response to these facilities has been
fantastic – our target markets love them. The
manner in which teenage girls have used the sites is one of the
most pleasing aspects of their success.” - Brian Knowles -
Leisure Facilities Manager for Rushcliffe Borough Council
“The area is now thriving with the young people of Bristol
using it to have fun – the very purpose for which the MUSA
was intended.” - Jill Batton, Play Support Officer for
Bristol City Council.
Proludic Ltd, The Pump House, Abbey Road, West Bridgford,
Nottingham, NG2 5NE
T: 0115 982 3980 F: 0115 982 3985 W: www.proludicsport.co.uk