PHYSICAL
ACTIVITY - Body Conditioning
Maintaining regular and optimal physical
activity is a discipline of life. God has given us natural motivating
biochemical elements in our brain, called neurotransmitters, to
make it enjoyable. We intend to give you the tools to begin an activity
regimen and to stay dedicated to it. It is as easy as stepping out
in a walk!
For those who are ambulatory (upright
and forward propelled), walking is fundamental to exercise. The
combination of peaceful and clean environment, good clothing and
shoes, and tuned-in senses make the experience a joy. Add to that
a regular rhythm, deep and regular breathing, and full body involvement,
and you have a symphony of movement. Here are some resources
to aid your walk.
Before you begin an exercise routine,
it is important to tone up your muscles with flexion and relaxation
exercise. This resource describes several methods of working on
specific muscle groups. Toning
Muscles for Females.
Here are some expert links to describe
benefits, risks, and methods:
Advice
from Doctors
Ron
Jones High Performance Health is a rich site of exercise and
body conditioning instructions with photos for every step. An excellent
site for all: youth, men, and women--but particularly significant
for building male fitness.
Exercise
Equipment - abdominal exercise equipment for popular ab exercises
and lower back exercises. proform treadmills and treadmill reviews.
Enjoy the outdoors - Visit a National
Park
Why We Should be Doing It
In spite of the sweeping wave of interest
in fitness over the last 3+ decades in America, only 15% of adults
participate in regular weight-bearing exercise that even moderately
challenges the cardiovascular system-the recommended aerobic activity
that increases heart rate over a period of 30 minutes 3x's week.
And that figure has been declining since 1995. Forty percent of
adults engage in no exercise at all. Among adolescents, 64% engage
in recommended aerobic exercise.
Let's review the benefits of regular
weight-bearing exercise:
• Increases muscle and bone strength
• Increases lean muscle and helps decrease fat
• Aids in weight control and is a key part of any weight loss
effort
• Enhances psychological well-being and may even reduce the
risk of developing depression
• Appears to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety and
to improve mood
If children and adolescents exercise regularly, they benefit by
normal skeletal development.
Young adults need it to achieve and maintain peak bone mass.
Older adults need it to maintain strength and agility and reduce
risk of falling.
Who are the people who show low rates
of physical activity?
• Women of all ages
• Those with lower incomes and less education
• African Americans and Hispanics
• Adults in the northeastern and southern states
• People with disabilities
• Those over 75 years of age
We know there are barriers for some individuals such as: unsafe
neighborhoods, too much responsibility in work and caregiving, lack
of time, lack of companions, lack of motivation.
The above information was obtained from Healthy People 2010, you
can learn more about statistics and trends online at:
Healthy People 2010 Objective - Physical Activity
http://wonder.cdc.gov/data2010
Physical Activity http://www.cdc.gov/health/physact.htm
The Public Health Service has concluded
that, since the incidence of chronic disease has increased and obesity
has become a major health problem, there is enough evidence to launch
a national campaign to promote exercise by all Americans. The challenge
is in motivating those 60% of inactive adults.
Encouraging behavior modification,
in this case getting people away from the TV and out on the street
or nearby track walking briskly, is difficult on a group scale.
However, when we invite a family member, friend or neighbor to join
us in our walk and create an enjoyable social experience, we have
won a new convert to exercise. It takes one to win one, as they
say.
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