Last night, the Mestre Martí Tauler Library in Rubí hosted a new session of the Aula d’Extensió Universitària de Rubí in collaboration with AmicsUAB. On this occasion, the guest speaker was Eva Parrado Romero, PhD in Psychology, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Psychology of the UAB, and Senior Researcher at the Sports Research Institute (IRE-UAB), who delivered the lecture titled The Hidden Power of Everyday Movement: A Look at Incidental Physical Activity.
At the beginning of the session, Parrado introduced an innovative perspective on physical activity, moving away from the classical conception focused on structured exercise, sports practice, and gym routines. Instead, she invited the audience to pay attention to spontaneous, unplanned movement carried out in daily life (climbing stairs, running errands on foot, moving around at work, playing with children, or doing household tasks) which, although not intended as “exercise,” can have a significant impact on health.
Drawing on a review of 55 international studies published between 1999 and 2024, Parrado explained how this type of incidental movement is associated with reduced mortality risk, improved physical well-being, and positive effects on mental health. She also highlighted that organizations such as the WHO have already adopted this shift in perspective under the motto “every movement counts,” including movements lasting less than a minute, which historically had not been considered relevant from a public health standpoint.
The speaker emphasized that this new approach can support more inclusive strategies to promote active lifestyles, especially for individuals who do not identify with traditional exercise, who face barriers when trying to incorporate it into their routine, or who lack time, equipment, or motivation to engage in structured workouts. The key —she insisted— is understanding that movement should not be an added obligation, but rather a way of inhabiting everyday life.
The lecture combined scientific rigor with relatable examples and practical recommendations, creating a welcoming and participatory environment in which attendees were able to share questions, experiences, and motivations related to physical activity. Parrado concluded with a message as inspiring as it was accessible: “Health can begin with the small gestures of everyday life; there is no need to change your schedule, only your perspective.”
With this new session, the Aula d’Extensió Universitària de Rubí and AmicsUAB continue to offer meaningful and transformative learning opportunities, focused on well-being, science, and quality of life for the community.
