Prescription For Fitness

PRESCRIPTION FOR FITNESS:
An Approach to Fitness for Apparently
Well Adults

(Excerpt from an article in the British
Columbia Medical Journal; Sept. 1974)

by: Dr. Martin Collis, faculty of education,
University of Victoria; Dr. David Chis-
holm and Dr. Linton Kulak, preventive
medicine consultants, B.C. Department
of Health; Mr. Sandy Keir, dirctor of
fitness methodology, Recreation Canada.

 

Recently the public has become aware of the
threat to the ecology as a result of indus-
trialization and technological growth. On
another level, health professionals now are
noting health problems that result from the
inability of the human body to adapt to the
low-activity life style made possible by
mechanization.

Disease states related to lack of activity
are proliferating. There has been a steady
rise is cardio-vascular disease, tension-
related complaints, obesity, low back pain
and other problems which result from musculo-
skeletal weakness.

Physical activity is now clearly an import-
ant aspect of preventive medicine, as well
as playing a key role in many treatment re-
gimens. Physical activity is often as ab-
horrent to some adults as codliver oil is to
children, particularly as the prescription
is for life. ie:

Part of the problem lies in the general lack
of understanding of what constitutes an ad-
equate activity program. In the past, many
iof us were taught to exercise with almost
military precision and were told no benefits
would occur without pain; today, many com-
mercial concerns offer programs which claim
to get one fit with no effort or personal in-
convenience.

between these extremes; some time and effort
must be expended by the participant ina
fitness program, but it doesn't have to be
painful. In fact, the search for fitness

 

L

As is often the case, the answer lies somewhere

 

DOUGLAS COLLEGE

ARCHIVES

 

can be one of the most pleasant and reward-
ing pursuites available to modern man.

 

It's impossible to summarize briefly all the
approaches to obtaining a state of personal
physical fitness as it can be reached by
many different routes. However, it is pos-
sible to indicate the important elements of |
a fitness program. |

ARTHMETIC FITNESS (CALORIC BALANCE):

When you take more out of the bank than you |
put in, you may develop a financial problem.
Conversely, if you put more calories into |
your body than you use, you may develop a
weight problem. Therefore, one aspect of
fitness is simply balancing the caloric bus
get.
|
\

In terms of expenditure, the easiest way to
do this is not by sudden violent bursts of
activity, but by numerous small life style
changes. Using the stairs instead of the
elevator at work seems insignificant over a
short period, but could burn the equivalent |
of 10 pounds of bodyweight over the period
of a year.

|
|

FUNCTIONAL FITNESS:

Merely balancing the caloric budget is not
enough. The human machine has some very
specific needs which can only be met by a
well structured program of purposeful move- |
ment.

Flexibility:

As people grow old, their attitudes tend to |
become inflexible and so do their joints. A
series of simple exercises can help main-
tain the full range of movement for the var-
jous parts of the body. Do not attack the
exercises in a competitive or agressive
style but perform them smoothly and grace-
fully so that the body can adapt gradually
rather than be challenged to breaking point.

 

Muscle Tone:

Many sedentary people become virtually in-
capacitated by muscular weakness. For ef-
fective living, basic maintenance of muscu-
jar tone through regular activity is vital.