A person who had followed a program of physical exercise during childhood and
youth naturally keeps up the activity throughout adulthood and thus maintains a
high degree of fitness. But the person who has neglected the development of his
physique during the early years finds it almost impossible in middle life to
become physically active .His narrow shoulders, his underdeveloped muscles, and
his overhanging abdomen make it difficult for him to learn how to exercise in a
proper manner, much less to find enjoyment in exertion.
It is true that modern youth on the average are taller and heavier and have a
longer life expectancy than youth of previous generations. But these
characteristics are not the proof of greater physical fitness. Today's youth
have had more adequate nutrition than youth who lived previously but it’s also a
fact that the youth of today lacks physical activities because they rely on
machines-rather than their muscles. Most children even don't walk to and from
school. Youth is the ideal time for developing the heart and lungs. It is
important during the years of growth that all the various organs of the body
respond in a physiological manner to the demands placed upon them. A heart that
is never put to stretch to supply the demands of active muscles will not develop
their strength and endurance necessary for life long physical fitness. Muscles
permitted to remain flabby will not do their part in maintaining a good,
correct, elastic posture.
PHYSICAL FITNESS FOR MIDDLE AGED BRAIN WORKERS:
Middle aged persons whose work is sedentary suffer more than others from lack of
physical exercise. Their job require them to use their brains and not their
muscles. When quitting time arrives, they feel they have done their day's work,
even though this work may not have required them to move about. They feel tired
not because they have used their muscles but because they have used their
nervous energy, this fatigue nevertheless, robs them of any desire to exercise
after working hours.
Even factory workers, since wide scale automation has come in, often push
buttons instead of using their heavy muscles .And modern housewives do much of
their work by machines. It is not that we would want our wives to milk cows by
hand as their grandmothers did. But the modern way places such an emphasis on
doing things the easy way that our bodies suffer from lack of exercise.
Therefore we must find other ways of keeping active.
It is preferable to take daily exercise in small doses - for instance, in three
installments, such as a walk morning, noon, and the evening. Most persons can
walk at least partway home. Then at noon, if they eat in a restaurant, they may
choose a place about ten minutes walk from their place of employment.
WHAT TYPE OF EXERCISE?
The choice of physical activity will depend upon several factors:
1. The age and the vigor of the individual.
2. The weather.
3. The time of day available for exercise.
4. The availability of funds for special equipments.
5. The opportunity of combining exercise with recreational interests.
6. The preferences of the individual.
Of all possible forms of physical exercise, walking comes at the top of the
list, both because it is adequate and because it is available to all. It
requires no equipment. Walking brings in to play most of the body's muscles.
Swimming and bicycling are excellent forms of exercise. They require use of most
of the body's muscles and can be modified to suit the physical capacity of the
individual. Also they provide beneficial recreation. Tennis is a favorite with
many persons.
Gymnasium activities are excellent for maintaining physical fitness.
Setting-up exercises taken at home, also serves well to keep a person in a good
condition. Push-ups, sit-ups and other such forms of muscle development can be
carried on in a systematic manner. Gardening is a beneficial and suitable form
of exercise. It relieves nervous tension at the same time that it provides
physical activity.
Warning:
Middle-aged persons particularly must be cautioned against letting their
enthusiasm cause them to overdo. As with all other good things, there are
extremes to be avoided. The following danger signals serve as indication that
the program of exercise is too strenuous:
1. The heart continuous to pound for more than 10 minutes after the
exercise has ceased.
2. Breathing is still uncomfortable following a 10 minute period of rest.
3. The muscles feel shaky for more than 30 minutes after the exercise.
4. The person feels unusually tired on the following day.
Words at the End:
These were some of finally trustful tips for keeping one physically fit. I hope
that would help anyone who is in search of maintaining good health and physique.