Wednesday, August 27, 2003

Get fit: A prescription for good health

What does exercise mean to you?Some folks think of exercise as walking down the driveway for the paper while others regard exercise as using the Stair Master for 45 minutes at high intensity.There are many perceptions of exercise.Recreation and leisure activities, sports performance, maintaining fitness are but a few of these perceptions.However, today let's examine how exercise can play an important role in helping treat certain health issues.

In some cases, exercise can preclude the development of negative health problems; in other cases it may well serve to control or minimize a variety of health problems.Although exercise can play a significant role in handling a number of health issues, it MUST be done in strict compliance with your doctor's instructions.Accordingly, it can serve as an important component of an overall treatment program.

Exercise activities can range from a simple walk to a structured program prescription written by a fitness professional who works in concert with your doctor as to the "dos and don'ts",activity levels, and intensities.The intent of this article is to show how exercise can assist in an overall treatment plan is accordance with doctor's direction.

Some of the health issues in which exercise can help are as follows:

Arthritis:Helpful activities include swimming, walking, and cycling.Appropriate weight lifting is prescribed to strengthen the muscles around the affected joints, thus lending them support and protection.Stretching and range of motion exercises also help keep the joints flexible.Start your program with light weights and intensities. Limit duration, building up to longer periods of exercise time.Progress as your condition dictates.

Osteoporosis:This disease of bone density degeneration can be helped with lifting weights.Weight training not only helps in the building of lean muscle tissue but also contributes to the development of bone mineral.Be mindful that weight training is required for the development of lean muscle tissue and bone mineral density.Aerobic activity does not directly impact such developments.

Stress:Simple exercises like walking, running, cycling, stretching, resistance training, and proper breathing techniques can all lead to a reduction of stress.

Hypertension:The problem of high blood pressurecan have an impact on diabetes, coronary artery disease and other poor health issues.The exercise prescription for hypertension includes stretching to improve flexibility in muscles and joints.Aerobic activity of proper mode, intensity and duration helps the cardiopulmonary system to become stronger and efficient.It is very important to drink plenty of water to keep hydrated during such activities.

Exercise is simple, but one must be motivated and disciplined to take advantage of the wealth of benefits it provides.Additionally, benefits of exercise are nonlinear.For example, treating arthritis also benefits the cardiovascular system.Stress reduction protocols also have positive implications on weight management.Furthermore, exercise performed for diabetes treatment contributes positively to improved stamina and endurance.

In today's society we see increases in stress, heart disease, obesity and other negative health issues.Sedentary life- style contributes to these issues.Exercise allows the body to help itself reach and maintain a healthy working order.

For some of us, exercise is recreational; for others it is vital to good health. For all of us, exercise helps our bodies and minds function at their best.

Mike Caldarello CPT