BENEFITS OF PHYSICAL FITNESS

What is Physical Fitness?

 Physical Fitness is
the ability of your
body systems to
work efficiently. A fit
person is able to
carry out the typical
activities of living,
such as work, and
still have enough
energy and vigor to
respond to
emergency situations
and to enjoy leisure
time activities.
 Learning Objectives
 To encourage students to be
physically active
 To illustrate Exercise and its
effect on disease prevention
 To provide examples of simple,
moderate intensity physical
activity
 To encourage regular physical
activity in developing countries
with focus on women
 To encourage physical fitness in
people with disabilities
 To build an Olympic Physical
activity and health supercourse
Physical Activity and Exercise
 Physical activity is a
general term that
includes sports, dance,
and activities done at
work or at home, such
as walking, climbing
stairs, or mowing the
lawn.
 When people do physical
activity especially for the
purpose of getting fit,
we say they are doing
exercise.
 Health and Wellness Benefits of
Physical Activity
 Regular physical activity can do much to prevent
disease and illness.
 It can help you look your best (with proper nutrition,
good posture, and good body mechanics).
 Besides looking better, people who do regular physical
activity feel better, do better on academic work, and
are less depressed than people who are less active.
 Regular physical activity results in physical fitness
which is the key to being able to do more of things you
want to do and enjoy life.
 It allows you to be fit enough to meet emergencies
and day-to-day demanding situations.
 Being physically active can build fitness, which, in turn,
provides you with many health and wellness benefits.
 Fitness and Health

 The word health is often associated only

with physical fitness, but there are other
components of health.
 FITNESS means “readiness”. Fit people
are better equipped than non-fit people.
 The level of fitness includes all aspects of
health and life.
 It affects physical, mental, and social
health.
 What is Physical Activity
 Physical activity
Bodily movement produced by skeletal
muscles that results in an expenditure of
energy
 Physical fitness
A measure of a person's ability to perform
physical activities that require endurance,
strength, or flexibility.
 Regular physical activity
A pattern of physical activity is regular if
activities are performed in some order
CDC
The Parts of Physical Fitness

 Health - Related  Skill - Related

Physical Fitness Physical Fitness

 It helps you perform

well in sports and activities
 It helps you
that require certain skills
stay healthy
“Physical activity is something you do.
Physical fitness is something you
acquire, a characteristic or an attribute
one can achieve by being physically
active. And exercise is structured and
tends to have fitness as its goal"

Anonymous
 Spectrum of Physical Activity
and Health
Physically Fit

Physically
Physically Active
disabled
 Differences between Exercise
Exercise
and Sport
It’s a form of physical
activity done primarily to
improve one’s health and
fitness.
Sports
Is complex,
institutionalized,
competitive and these
very characteristics works
against moderate and
rhythmical exercise.
CDC
 Common Reasons Not To
Exercise
 I don’t have the
time
 I don’t like to
sweat
 I’ll look silly
 It hurts
 I don’t know what
to do
 It’s not important
Why Exercise ???
 Do you know?
 13.5 million people have coronary heart
disease.
 1.5 million people suffer from a heart
attack in a given year.
 250,000 people suffer from hip
fractures each year.
 Over 60 million people (a third of the
population) are overweight.
 50 million people have high blood
pressure.
(WHO)
 Do you know that ……
 Childhood obesity has reached epidemic
proportions in most part of the world
 Children are eating more and exercising less.
 Time spent watching television or using
computers
 This lack coupled with poor dietary habits has
led to significant increases in the number of
children with Type II diabetes and
predisposition to hypertension, coronary artery
disease and others
All of these can be Prevented by
Regular Physical Activity !!!
How Physical Activity Impacts Health
 Helps control weight.
 Reduces feelings of depression and
anxiety.
 Helps build and maintain healthy bones,
muscles, and joints.
 Reduces the risk of developing colon
cancer.
 Helps reduce blood pressure in people
who already have high blood pressure.
 Causes the development of new blood
vessels in the heart and other muscles.
 Enlarges the arteries that supply blood to
the heart. WHO
 Health Risk of Physical Inactivity
Leading causes of disease and disability
associated with physical inactivity
1. Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)
2. Stroke
3. Obesity
4. Type II Diabetes
5. Hypertension
6. Colorectal cancer
7. Stress and Anxiety
8. Osteo-arthritis
9. Osteoporosis
10.Low back pain
 What Can Exercise do for You?
 Reduce the risk of the three leading causes of
death: Heart Disease, stroke, and cancer
 Control or prevent development of Disease

 Enhance Mental Abilities

 Improve Sleeping Habits and Increase Energy

Levels

 Lift Depression and Help Manage Stress

 Control Weight, improving self-image,

appearance and health

 Exercise & Cardiovascular Disease
FACT
Sedentary lifestyle is a risk factor for
CVD, according to the American Heart
Association
Exercise reduces Blood Pressure
 High blood pressure (above 140/90)
is the main cause of Heart Attack and
Stroke
Exercise prevents Atherosclerosis
(clogged arteries)
 Exercise reduces cholesterol plaques
that clog arteries and can lead to
stroke and heart attack WHO
 Exercise and Cancer

The Basics
 Exercise helps to prevent obesity, a
major risk factor for several types
of cancer
 Exercise enhances immune
function
 Exercise activates antioxidant
enzymes that protect cells from
free radical damage
WHO
 Exercise and Diabetes
Increase insulin sensitivity

Control blood glucose

Control Weight/Lower body fat

Reduce risk of cardiovascular disease

WHO
 Exercise and Depression
Exercise can help prevent depression.
In fact, recent studies have shown that
exercise was found to be just as
effective (despite a slower initial
response) as antidepressant medication
for treatment of depression.
 Exercise reduces health problems , making
you feel better
 Exercise helps you sleep better
 Exercise controls weight, enhancing self-
esteem
WHO
 Exercise and Your Mind
 Short-term benefits:
 Boost alertness (possibly by triggering the
release of epinephrine and nor
epinephrine)
 Improve memory
 Improve intellectual function
 Spark creativity

 Long-term benefits:
 Exercise has been shown to slow and even
reverse age-related decline in mental
function and loss of short-term memory

A report of Surgeon general, Physical Activity

and health
 Opportunities for Physical
Activity
 At work
 For transport
 In domestic duties
 In leisure time

The majority of people do very little or

no physical activity in any of these
domains
 Getting Started….Setting Goals

 What will motivate you?

 Think about your reasons for
exercising
 Are your goals important enough to
keep you motivated long-term?
 Think short-term and long-term
 How will you benefit from your
fitness plan day-to-day?
 In 1 year? In 5 years? In 10 years?
 Before You Start...
 If you are over 40 or have health
problems (heart disease, high
blood pressure, diabetes, obesity,
muscle or joint problems) see a
physician before beginning
exercise
 Be informed
 Learn as much as you can about
exercise by reading and talking
to other people
 Learn safety precautions before
you do any exercise
 Fitness Equipment / Safety

Fitness Equipment / Safety

 Buy Appropriate SHOES
 Wear Comfortable Clothing
 TOO HOT! TOO COLD!
 Run and Walk with a Friend
More fun, safer, with a physical and
mental support system
 Night Time: stay to the well lit areas
 Select activities that are fun ………..
To YOU!
 Get Moving!

 Components of an exercise
program
 Aerobic Activity
 Strength Training
 Flexibility Training

Use an exercise log to help

you plan and keep track of
your exercise program
WHO
 Aerobic Activity
Definition
Continuous movement that uses big
muscle groups and is performed at an
intensity that causes your heart, lungs,
and vascular system to work harder than
at rest
Cardio respiratory Fitness is built through
aerobic exercise
Aerobic exercise conditions and
strengthens our heart, respiratory system,
muscles, and immune system
CDC physical activity report
 Types of Aerobic Exercise
Outdoor Activities Indoor Activities
 Walking  Treadmill machine
 Jogging/running  Stair climbing
 Bicycling machine
 Swimming  Stationary bike

 Basketball  Elliptical trainer

 Soccer  Rowing machine

 Jumping Rope  Aerobics, boxing...

 Strength Training
Definition
Muscle work against resistance that
improves strength and endurance
 Strength allows us to move, and endurance
allows us to perform work over time
Muscles = 40% of our lean body mass

Use it or lose it: unused muscle disappears

(atrophy)
 Types of Strength Training
Free Weights
 use of dumbbells and/or bars with
weights on the ends
 involves balance and coordination;
useful for enhancing function in daily
activities and recreational sports
 Bonuses: convenient, cheap, and
provides a wide variety of exercises that
work several muscle groups together
Your body, your weight
 The most convenient form of resistance
exercise
 Pushups, pull-ups,. Lunges, squats….
 Flexibility Training

Flexibility = The ability to move a joint

through its range of motion
 We lose flexibility with disuse and aging
Benefits
 Decreased chance of muscular injury,
soreness, and pain
 Helps prevent and reduce lower back pain
 Improves joint health (tight muscles stress
our joints)
Activities stretching, yoga, pilates, tai chi
 How Much and How Hard?
Frequency: 3-5 days per week
 Aerobic exercise: a minimum if 3 days a
week are necessary to reach most exercise
goals and minimize health benefits
 Strength training: a minimum of 2 days per
week
 Flexibility training: a minimum of 3-5 days
per week
 Duration
 Aerobic: 20-60 minutes of continuous
aerobic activity
 Strength: 1-3 sets of 8-12 repetitions
 Stretching: Stretch all muscle groups and
hold positions for 10-30 seconds
 Timing Questions
 What time of day is best?
 Choose the most convenient time for your
schedule
 Choose a regular time--the same time every
day
 Timing may depend on the activity you
choose
 Can I eat before exercise?
 Itis best not to eat a meal for 2 hours
beforehand
 Be sure to drink plenty of water before and
during exercise
 Should I exercise when I’m sick?
 No, especially if you have a fever
 Exercise for people with special
needs
 People with disabilities are less likely
to engage in regular moderate
physical activity than people without
disabilities, yet they have similar
needs to promote their health and
prevent unnecessary disease
Exercise is for everyone!!!!!!!
Individuals who have physical
disabilities or chronic, disabling
conditions such as arthritis can
improve muscle stamina and strength
with regular physical activity
Exercise for people with special needs
"You don't stop exercising because you grow old.
You grow old because you stop exercising." Anonymous

 People with disabilities should first

consult a physician before beginning
a program of physical activity to
which they are unaccustomed
 Provide community-based programs
to meet the needs of persons with
disabilities.
 Ensure that environments and facilities
conducive to being physically active are
available and accessible to people with
disabilities, such as offering safe,
accessible, and attractive trails for
bicycling, walking, and wheelchair
activities.
 Exercise for Women in developing
countries
There has been several studies which
have shown that less emphasis is
given to exercise especially in women
 The reasons are several and most
important one is awareness.
 Women sports are not encouraged
in most of developing countries
 There is stigma that women should
not be involved in outdoor sports
 Exercise is for everyone

 There is need for awareness for physical

fitness in developing countries
 Exercise is not only for men but for
everyone
 With commitment, opportunities can be
developed.
 Even shopping malls provide opportunities
for fitness walking

CDC
 Injury
 Prevention  Caring for Injuries
 exercise regularly
 gradually increase
intensity
 rest between sessions
 warm-up and cool
down
 stay flexible
 don’t exercise when
sick
 don’t exercise when
muscles are fatigued
and straining
 know proper form for
any activity you do
 Rest: stop immediately
 Ice: apply immediately
and repeat every few
hours for 15-20
minutes
 Compress: wrap
injured area with
elastic bandage
 Elevation: raise injured
area above heart
 After 2 days, apply heat
if there is no swelling
 Gradually ease back
into activity when pain
is gone
 Health Risks of Physical Activity
 Most musculo-skeletal injuries sustained
during physical activity are likely to be
preventable

 Injuries sustained during competitive

sports have been shown to increase the
risk of developing osteoarthritis

 Serious cardiac events can occur with

physical exertion.
The overall benefit of regular physical
activity is lower all-cause mortality
Proper Hydration
 Hydration
The best way to stay
well hydrated for
exercise is to drink
• Before
• During
• After

Remember! Drink regardless of

whether you are thirsty or not!
 How much do I drink and when ???
Way Before Right During After
Before
Drink 2-3 Drink 1 cup Drink 1 cup Drink at least
cups of fluid of fluid 10 to of fluid every 2 cups for
2 to 3 hours 30 minutes 15 minutes every pound
before before of lost weight
playing playing

Every 15 For every

minutes pound of
lost weight
How will I know if I am becoming
dehydrated?
• Warning Signs:
– Headache
– Fatigue
– Confusion
– Nausea
– Muscle Cramps
– Dizziness
– Decreased stamina, speed, energy, muscle strength
 Which Beverage is Best?

Iced Tea ?
Water ?
Soda ?

Sports Drinks ?
100% Juice ? Milk ?
 Supplements:
Helpful or Harmful?
• Supplements can be dangerous
• No one know exactly what many supplements
do
• High intakes can be extremely dangerous
• There is a lack of research on their
effectiveness
• They can be expensive
 True or False
• Athletes need supplements to meet their protein
needs
– False
• Although protein promotes muscle growth and
recovery from strength training, carbohydrate is
more important for building muscle strength
– True
• Carbohydrates always turn into fat
– False
 Summary
 Physical inactivity is one of the top 10
leading causes of death and disability in
the developed world
 Exercise improves our body and minds
 Even moderate exercise has many
health benefits
 It is important to set fitness goals that
are realistic and meaningful for you
 It takes time to make fitness part of a
lifestyle, and we will all have ups and
downs in following our exercise
programs
Exercise feels good!
“The first wealth is health."
Ralph Waldo Emerson
THANK YOU!