Fitness is a term with many definitions all of which are interrelating. One of the definitions I that it is the state of being well, with the ability to take part in physical exercises and have low risk of problems relating to health. Another definition is the characteristics people get or achieve and are in relation to taking part in physical activities. Fitness is important for human health as it increases body’s efficiency as well as effectiveness and it is through enough rest, good exercise and proper nutrition which result to quality life.
Physical fitness through exercises improves the heart’s efficiency because exercises exert pressure on the heart to pump more blood and oxygen to vital organs. Regular exercise enables the heart to adapt by developing more muscles on the blood vessels that later on become able to pump more but with less blood and the heart becomes more capable to withstand other vigorous activities. This is seen heart rates’ declining as one gets used to regular exercises as compared to when beginning. The development of more muscles on blood vessels increases their elasticity and reduces the resistance they offer to blood flow allowing for a smooth flow even in vigorous activities and lessens the heart’s workload.
In the body there are low density lipids and high density lipids with the latter being associated with heart disease because they get deposited on blood vessels therefore constricting them making it hard for blood flow as they build up in blood they make the vessels narrow and reduce their flexibility. High density lipids are considered good cholesterol. Intense and moderate exercises initiate enzymes that take the low density cholesterol into the liver where they get broken down and at the same time increase levels of high density cholesterol. Research shows the high density cholesterol helps the body get rid of the bad low density cholesterol. When they accumulate in the vessels taking blood to the heart les blood reaches the heart and hence the risk of heart attacks and as heart’s workload increases the heart fails.
Lack of physical exercises because of sedentary lifestyles causes clotting of blood in the veins of the legs a condition called deep vein thrombosis and is common especially when people after surgery don’t take part in exercises. It is caused when blood accumulates in the legs simply through gravity and as a result it clots. These clots when formed flow through the blood and as the pass small vessels they block them and may cause strokes which at times is fatal. Physical fitness takes the blood back to the circulatory system as result of flexion and contraction of leg muscles. Physical exercises help in enlarging the lungs due to the high demand for oxygen in vital organs. This increases the organ’s efficiency.
Weight reduction is yet another importance of physical exercises leading to fitness as the regular exercises help burn fats in the body. However, it requires prolonged and regular exercises because in the first few minutes carbohydrates and ATP are broken down for energy but after some time the fats start to be broken down. They are usually accumulated in the under the skin and other parts of the body where they cause increased body weight. When they break down the body mass reduces as long as the weight leading to body fitness and less health problems because heart’s workload is reduced.
Increased muscle and bone strength is attributed to physical fitness and exercises as it increases body’s demand for calcium therefore absorbing more of it while the muscles build more. Also because of vigorous exercise the uptake of sugar increases and reduces fat formation which reduces risk of diabetes as the body is able to respond well to insulin and results in good health.
The exercises provide better ways to manage stress as they are released from the body when accumulated. It is also associated with better sleep since naturally the body requires rest a good feeling effect because of release of natural killers of pain. It also improves a person’s ability to focus as it stimulates the brain to release chemicals creating more ways for the brain to connect making it focus better.
In order for bones and muscles to work efficiently they need to be aligned well and as result exercises they do so improving the body’s posture and reduce stress on bones which would results in pains for example back pains and other aches. Studies have also shown that fitness leads to reduction of diseases and conditions such as arthritis and cancers, and is because of increased immunity and efficient removal of waste.
It is therefore clear that, over the years there has been a decline in the physical fitness because of sedentary lifestyles that constraint a person in doors coupled with increase in availability in fast foods which are at low prices affordable to everyone. These factors have led to the rise in lifestyle diseases that most are incurable. There is therefore the need for encouraging physical exercises which should be integrated in education system s as well as family setting through engaging in physical activities.
Annotated bibliography
“Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.” National Institute of Mental Health. 23 Jan. 2009. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 8 Dec. 2011.
This source is a short webpage that gives a summary of facts related to the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD in adults. This webpage can be used to verify facts that I have uncovered from other sources and includes the following issues: ADHD causing failure at work or school, causing failed relationships and other social problems, medication as the best means of treatment, and counseling or psychotherapy as a complimentary treatment. This webpage does not specify an author, but it is sponsored by a government institution which means that the information is most likely accurate. The most recent review date of this first webpage is 2009, which makes the information current. This first webpage is meant to inform the public.
Barkley, Russell A. and Christine M. Benton. Taking Charge of Adult ADHD. New York: The Guilford Press, 2010. Print.
I will use this book as a companion source to ADHD in Adults: What the Science Says because the same author wrote it. However, this book is written for the average reader and will help me translate some of the scientific information from the other book. In addition, this book contains new information on specific methods ADHD sufferers can implement to minimize their disability. These methods will provide reliable answers to my research question. The author is a psychiatrist well known for his ADHD related research. This book was published in 2010 making the information among the most current of my sources. A further reading section provides leads to new relevant sources.
Barkley, Russell A., and Kevin R. Murphy. "The Nature Of Executive Function (EF) Deficits In Daily Life Activities In Adults With ADHD And Their Relationship To Performance On EF Tests." Journal Of Psychopathology & Behavioral Assessment 33.2 (2011): 137-158. Academic Search Complete. Web. 18 Nov. 2011.
This article by Russell A. Barkley and Kevin R. Murphy is a study refuting the commonly accepted fact that ADHD impairs the executive functioning of the sufferer. While this is not directly related to my specific research question, the article does discuss at length several major effects of ADHD related to my research including: inability to effectively manage time, lack of organization, inability to solve problems, and lack of motivation and concentration. This article is from a peer reviewed academic journal which means the content of the articles are accurate. I searched the primary authors’ names and found they both have doctoral degrees in psychiatry which means they have a firm understanding of mental disorders including ADHD. Both of the articles were published in 2011, which makes them as current as is possible. The purpose of the articles is to inform other professionals, so they may be difficult to understand but will contain important details to help answer my research question
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III-R). Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association. 1987. 50-53.
The DMS-III defines ADHD on pages 50-53 and the major characteristics of this disorder are described in detail. In evaluating this source, I first considered currency and found that there is a more current edition available, but after checking the new edition I found no new information. I feel confident using this as a source as it is published by the American Psychiatric Association, which indicates a high level of authority on mental disorders. I also found this source very easy to understand. This manual exists primarily as a means for psychiatrists to diagnose disorders. My specific research question addresses the adult disorder while this manual mainly addresses the child disorder. Other sources such as ADHD IN ADULTS: What the Science Says verify that many adult ADHD and child ADHD symptoms are the same.
Hallowell, Edward M., and John J. Ratey. Delivered From Distraction: Getting the Most Out of Life With Attention Deficit Disorder. New York: Ballantine Books, 2006. Print.
This book was written by two psychiatrists and is a comprehensive guide to ADD; ADD is a synonymous term to ADHD. This book includes the following related to my research question: short chapters describing what it is like to have ADD, several personal accounts of adult sufferers, and over ten short chapters on various ways to treat ADD. Both authors are psychiatrists and sufferers of ADD. This book is easy to understand and is written as a reference source for the average reader. This book was first published in 2005, so it is current. I feel this source will help me understand my topic as well as provide a relevant source. I assume the information in both books is accurate based on both the authors’ credentials as practicing psychiatrists and their personal experience. This source also provides references to other sources.
Libal, Autumn. The importance of physical activity and exercise: the fitness factor. Philadelphia: Mason Crest Publishers, 2006. Print.
The book talks about America’s latest epidemic which is obesity and the essential lifestyle choices that individuals have to follow for them to live a life that is healthy.
Sutton, Amy L.. Fitness and exercise sourcebook. 3rd ed. Detroit, MI: Omnigraphics, 2007. Print.
This book talks about information that is latest regarding information on health and exercises leading to fitness and the importance of exercise on mental and physical part of the body. It also provides information on recent trends in fitness from yoga to Pilates to weights to aerobics. It also talks about plans for exercising in gyms plus home gyms.
"Benefits of fitness in knee arthritis patients confirmed.” Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week [New York] 8 Nov. 2003: 3. Print.
This article provides proof that staying fit is advantageous to people suffering from arthritis. It explains that exercising the legs through running and jogging reduces the effects of arthritis on joints.
Goldstein, Jill Sloane. "A Bigger Body of Benefits: How Fitness Contributes to a Healthy Pregnancy." Curve 1 Oct. 2012: 3. Print.
This article explains the relationship between fitness and healthy pregnancy. It explains the positive effects of keeping fit on development of the child from the early stages of pregnancy and the positive effects on the mother.
Larsen, Laura. Fitness and exercise sourcebook: basic consumer health information about the benefits of physical fitness, including strength, endurance, longevity, weight loss, bone health, and stress management, with exercise guidelines for people of all ages and tips. 4th ed. Detroit, MI: Omnigraphics, 2011. Print.
Sharkey, Brian J., and Steven E. Gaskill. Fitness & health. 6th ed. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, 2007. Print.
The book guides one to meet personal goals and needs and making one understand deeper health-exercise relationship. It explains the body’s response to bodily activity, how physical activity improves fitness areas, and it explains the benefits of physical activity to health.
Shephard, Roy J. Economic benefits of enhanced fitness. Champaign, Ill.: Human Kinetics Publishers, 1986. Print.
This book explains the benefits that accrue economically because of keeping fit. It relates how fitness makes one healthy and thus leading to the avoidance of diseases either caused by lifestyle or caused by pathogens and how this saves one money through avoidance of medicinal and treatment costs.
Works cited
“Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.” National Institute of Mental Health. 23 Jan. 2009. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 8 Dec. 2011.
Barkley, Russell A. and Christine M. Benton. Taking Charge of Adult ADHD. New York: The Guilford Press, 2010. Print.
Barkley, Russell A., and Kevin R. Murphy. "The Nature Of Executive Function (EF) Deficits In Daily Life Activities In Adults With ADHD And Their Relationship To Performance On EF Tests." Journal Of Psychopathology & Behavioral Assessment 33.2 (2011): 137-158. Academic Search Complete. Web. 18 Nov. 2011.
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III-R). Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association. 1987. 50-53.
Hallowell, Edward M., and John J. Ratey. Delivered From Distraction: Getting the Most Out of Life With Attention Deficit Disorder. New York: Ballantine Books, 2006. Print.
"Benefits of fitness in knee arthritis patients confirmed.” Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week [New York] 8 Nov. 2003: 3. Print.
Goldstein, Jill Sloane. "A Bigger Body of Benefits: How Fitness Contributes to a Healthy Pregnancy." Curve 1 Oct. 2012: 3. Print.
Larsen, Laura. Fitness and exercise sourcebook: basic consumer health information about the benefits of physical fitness, including strength, endurance, longevity, weight loss, bone health, and stress management, with exercise guidelines for people of all ages and tips. 4th ed. Detroit, MI: Omnigraphics, 2011. Print.
Sharkey, Brian J., and Steven E. Gaskill. Fitness & health. 6th ed. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, 2007. Print.
Shephard, Roy J. Economic benefits of enhanced fitness. Champaign, Ill.: Human Kinetics Publishers, 1986. Print.
Libal, Autumn. The importance of physical activity and exercise: the fitness factor. Philadelphia: Mason Crest Publishers, 2006. Print.
Sutton, Amy L. Fitness and exercise sourcebook. 3rd ed. Detroit, MI: Omnigraphics, 2007. Print.
