Movement has always been associated with health benefits for the human body, and from that famous example in the Arab countries “movement is a blessing”, and we always hear medical advice about the need to exercise to avoid and combat chronic diseases.
With the changing conditions of life, and the reliance of many on electronic devices and the Internet for work and study, and spending more time in front of screens while sitting on chairs or chairs, whether in the office or at home, movement has gradually decreased compared to other occupations in sectors that require physical effort such as agriculture, construction and external jobs.
On the basis of these developments, The World Health Organization has warnedOn Wednesday, it estimated that around 500 million people will develop heart disease, obesity, diabetes or other non-communicable diseases attributable to physical inactivity between 2020 and 2030 if governments around the world do not take urgent action to promote the benefits of exercise. Time to get off the couch!”
In contrast to the actions demanded by the organization for governments to promote the benefits of exercise, questions are raised about the role of individuals in this, and the importance and reflection of exercise on their physical and psychological health.
In this context, the health expert, Dr. Dirar Balawi, says that “the body always needs exercise for many reasons.”
In his speech to Al-Hurra, he explained that “exercise works to activate the circulatory system, which includes the heart and blood vessels, in other words, it works to strengthen the heart and blood vessels to become softer, and thus prevent atherosclerosis and heart disease.”
He added that it “works to reduce the levels of fat and sugar in the blood, which can lead to high blood pressure, sugar and fat, which leads to atherosclerosis.”
the era of speed
Balawi pointed out that we are now living in an “age of speed, where there is also unbalanced and unhealthy food, frequent car use, absence of walking, and lack of time to play sports.”
He pointed out that “cars and communications limited walking, which led to an increase in weight and a lack of movement, and thus the emergence of diseases that we are witnessing now, which are non-transmitted diseases, the most important of which are cardiovascular diseases that cause clots and strokes.”
Overweight
Regarding the danger of obesity and its impact on the human body, Balawi said, “Every kilogram that a person increases on his body leads to a rise in systolic and diastolic blood pressure of approximately 1 mmHg, and there are studies that say that every kilogram that a person increases leads to a reduction in his lifespan from 5 to 10 years.”
He added, “Without a doubt, the increase in weight will lead to a reduction in life expectancy, and an increase in the rates of heart diseases, vascular diseases and strokes, which will increase pressure on health systems.”
Exorbitant costs
The World Health Organization said the price of inaction and staying on the couch would be high, with additional health care costs running at around $27 billion annually.
The Global Status of Physical Activity 2022 report measures the extent to which governments are implementing recommendations to increase physical activity for people of all ages and abilities.
Data from 194 countries show that overall progress is slow and countries need to accelerate the development and implementation of policies to increase heart rates, help prevent disease, and reduce the burden on already overburdened health services.
The statistics reveal the magnitude of the challenges facing countries around the world: less than 50 percent of countries have national physical activity policies, less than 40 percent are effective, and only 30 percent of countries have national physical activity guidelines for all age groups.
In terms of transportation policy, about 40 percent of countries have road design standards that make walking and cycling safer.
Life Style
Regarding the importance of sport in human life, sports coach Haitham Akl believes that “sports should be a lifestyle (lifestyle), and it is not a project for a day, a month or a year.”
In his interview with Al-Hurra, Akl explained that “the simplest types of sports are walking, and they give results with a probability of injury close to zero, meaning that other types, such as swimming, jogging, basketball and beach ball, for example, have the possibility of injuries.”
He adds that “walking is usually the lightest, but it needs continuity like other sports, and it has great benefits such as stimulating blood circulation, helping to sleep and relieving stress, and sports in general activate memory and improve the shape of the body.”
He stressed the need to “maintain the continuity of any kind of sports, because the results do not last if a person stops exercising, to maintain his fitness and fight health problems, and to walk daily continuously for half an hour, better than training for 6 months, 3 hours a day and then stop.” .
In turn, Balawi stressed the need to “change the lifestyle, and that half an hour of walking must be maintained daily, and food is very important, and sports do not reduce weight, but rather help it, and what reduces weight is a healthy diet and a reduction in calories.”
site says “Mayo ClinicThe medical professional, exercise and regular physical activity, has seven benefits on the body.
Regular exercise helps prevent or treat health problems, including stroke, type 2 diabetes, depression, anxiety, many types of cancer, arthritis, and fainting.
Exercising also improves mood and helps relieve stress and tension. Physical activity stimulates multiple brain chemicals that may make you happier, more comfortable and less anxious. You may also feel better about your appearance and yourself when you exercise regularly, which can boost your confidence and improve your self-esteem, according to the Mayo Clinic.
And the site pointed out that “Exercise increases energy, improves your muscle strength and enhances your endurance. Exercise delivers oxygen and nutrients to the tissues of the body, and helps the cardiovascular system to work more effectively. And when the health of the heart and lungs improves, you have more energy to deal with with daily chores.
There are also other benefits of helping to sleep better, and it is advised not to exercise when approaching bedtime, “otherwise you become so energetic that you cannot sleep.” Sport also enhances social relationships by participating in outdoor activities.
It’s time to walk
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stressed the importance of expanding the implementation of policies by more countries that support people to be more active through walking, cycling, sports and other physical activities.
“The benefits are enormous, not only for the physical and mental health of individuals, but also for societies, environments and economies (…) We hope that countries and partners will use this report to build more active, healthy and equitable societies for all,” he added.
The WHO report warns that the economic burden of physical inactivity is significant, as the cost of treating new cases of preventable non-communicable diseases will reach nearly $300 billion by 2030.
fitness plan
To help countries increase physical activity, the World Health Organization’s Global Action Plan on Physical Activity 2018-2030 identifies 20 policy recommendations.
Recommendations include creating safer ways to encourage more cycling and walking, and providing more programs and opportunities for physical activity in key settings, such as childcare centers, primary health care, schools and workplaces.
The report calls on countries to prioritize fitness promotion as a key to improving health and treating non-communicable diseases, integrating physical activity into all relevant policies, and developing tools, guidance and training.