Drug Medical Information

FITNESS CONCEPTS: GETTING OTHERS TO GET THE MESSAGE ABOUT REGULAR EXERCISE

Several alarming trends with serious implications for our nation's health have emerged in the last decade. These trends include a reduction in the number of required hours of physical education in public schools, chronic low-level fitness among children, adolescents, and young adults, and increased incidence of childhood and adult obesity. Furthermore, the number of Americans who exercise according to the Surgeon General's definition (three to four times weekly at the individual's target heart rate for a minimum of 20 minutes) are well below the Year 2000 National Health Objectives.
You can begin to alter some of these trends right now. The health behaviors of college students always become well known to the American public. A nation of physically active college students can positively influence other people to include regular exercise in their own lifestyles as well as to support exercise programs and opportunities in their schools and communities. One of the most important messages to get across to other people, however, is that exercise is not only for "the young and the beautiful." Exercise—like good nutrition and weight control—is for people of all ages. Here are some specific things you can do to convey this message:
1. Encourage family and friends to eliminate unhealthy behaviors such as sedentary living, dangerous weekend exercise sessions, and, of course, tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use. Help the people in your immediate circle to develop exercise regimens that are appropriate for them.
2. Become involved as a counselor or coach in college or local community-affiliated sports and recreation programs. Such programs might involve day camps for elementary or middle school students or even extended week- or month-long sports and recreation programs. Some of these programs qualify as internships, many of them involve some sort of stipend or other form of payment, and all of them can be extremely valuable experiences in your own life.
3. Locate one or more faculty members or community health officers (such as doctors or physical therapists) who specialize in the care of older people. Discuss with these people how you could contribute your time and energy to the improvement of exercise opportunities for older people, especially for those currently confined to their homes or in nursing homes. There are many simple, healthful exercises that older people—even those who cannot leave a wheelchair—can perform that will help them to develop better muscle tone, feel better, and have higher energy levels.
4. Get physically involved in supporting physical education and exercise programs and opportunities in public schools, colleges, and universities. Inform yourself about the physical education elements in local school budgets and in your own college's budget, and lobby and rally voters and other students for support when necessary.
5. Encourage exercise and recreation programs in your own college community by participating in and otherwise supporting intramural sports, fitness, and recreation activities. Actively encourage other students to participate in these activities too.
*165\278\8*