So when we read a report such is this: Middle-Age Americans Les Mobile Than Ever. It is very troubling. Let me share an example: The sea squirt is a very studied creature especially in neuroscience. It has 300 neurons (we have about 100 billion neurons in our brain - so a little bit more advanced, but bare with me), each one has been logged on what it does and the complete DNA profile exist for this creature. Because of the small number of neurons and being mainly transparent it makes it great from a research standpoint to study. We have learned that it uses it's nervous system to help it survive until it reaches a resting place and attaches itself. Then it starts to eat it's nervous system, since it is not moving anymore, it does not need it and eventually basically acts like a plant. So what is happening to our nervous system and brain when we are less active? Are you aware of more and more research that exercise can boost brain function? Check out Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain
. Do you want to avoid alzheimers or parkinsons? Increasing your exercise can reduce your risk of getting these horrible dieseases as you age.Here are some great guidelines to follow from the American College of Sports Medicine.
- Health benefits of physical activity aren't related to weight. Consistent with the message of the Exercise is Medicine program, physical activity is good for the mind and body irrespective of weight.
- Kids should accumulate at least 60 minutes of activity per day.Muscle- and bone-strengthening activities are important for children in addition to cardiovascular exercise.
- More is better. Any activity is good activity. But the more you exercise, the more benefits you'll reap, decreasing your chances for chronic conditions such as heart disease, and high blood pressure.
- Energy balance is important. Consuming more calories than are expended through activity equals weight gain. All activity, however, counts as expenditure, from purposeful exercise to simply taking the stairs (rather than escalator), and walking. Ten-minute bouts of activity can count toward the daily total.
- Older adults need exercise. No age is too old to begin a physical activity program. Older adults with chronic disease should work with a health care provider to determine limitations and the right kinds of exercise for their bodies.
- In general, a doctor's clearance is not needed to begin a moderate-intensity physical activity program . However, those with risk factors for chronic diseases or any orthopedic injury should seek medical advice from a physician and physical therapist before beginning physical activity. The key to remember is moderate-intensity exercise. Too many people take on high intense exercise and get injuried. Remember this: Git Fit so you can Run, Don't Run if you are not Fit.
- Pregnant women need exercise! Healthy for both mother and baby, physical activity is recommend during pregnancy and post-partum. Seek a doctor's advice and meet with a Women's Health Specialist physical therapist to ensure safety, though.
- Guidelines might need adaptation for those with disabilities. However, physical activity holds numerous benefits for this group, including increased quality of life and mental health.
- Strength training is important. Both young and older adults benefit from a regular program of resistance training, done at least two days per week.
- Progression is key. For those getting started, increase the duration or frequency of moderate-intensity physical activity first, before increasing the intensity.
Hopefully for the evolution of the human race, we can reverse these horrible trends and not evolve ourselves out of existance by destroying our nervous system because we don't exercise (maybe the Disney Movie WALL-E was trying to predict something that might actually be happening).
