RNS: Train like an Olympian, August 2008
TIME: 2:44
URL: http://www2.med.umich.edu/prmc/media/newsroom/details.cfm?ID=464
U-M Health Minute: Today’s top health issues and medical research
Train like an Olympian
U-M fitness expert advises how to get moving like the champs
Suggested lead: Do the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics have you inspired to get fit? University of Michigan Health System fitness experts say there are many ways you can get off the couch and get moving without hurting yourself — even during commercial breaks. Here’s Andi McDonnell with more.
The 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics conjure up images of fantastically fit athletes from all over the world going for the gold.
Although the United States is a sports-crazed nation, increasing obesity rates indicate that most Americans would rather be spectators than participants. According to Colleen Greene, wellness coordinator with MFit, the University of Michigan Health System’s health promotion division…
“Americans right now, unfortunately, are pretty out of shape. In the last 25 years, American obesity rates for adults have risen from 15 to 33 percent and in the last year alone, adult obesity rates have risen in over 31 states.”
Fortunately, Greene says there are many ways you can get off the couch and get moving without hurting yourself — even during commercial breaks.
So if the Olympics have you inspired to get fit, the first thing Greene recommends you do is talk to the pros – fitness professionals and especially your doctor. She tells us…
“If you have any health issues, the best thing to do is talk to your doctor before you do anything else and he or she will let you know about any contraindicated activities. So for example, if you have knee problems, running is probably not your best option. So after your doctor lets you know then you can make your choice as to which activities are best for you.”
Once you’re ready to begin your fitness routine, be sure to take it nice and slow. While running sprints and swimming a few laps in a pool may look easy on TV, it’s easy to over-train and injure yourself. Greene explains…
“Overtraining happens more frequently than you’d guess. People find one thing, for example running, and they say, ‘okay I have to run, that’s the thing that’s going to make the difference for me’ and they run and they run and they run and they run and pretty soon their muscles are being used the same way, everyday, over and over and you start to get injuries.”
To avoid injury and give your muscles a rest, Greene recommends cross-training - try biking or swimming some days, and incorporate various fitness activities other days.
Adding variety into your regimen also keeps your exercises fresh, which will make you more likely to stick with it. Other ways to stay motivated, Greene says, are to make fitness part of family time or to find a few fitness buddies…
“One of the fun things you can do, for example in sports, is do a pick up game. Get a bunch of your friends together, go play volleyball or go play basketball. It’s fun, it’s great exercise and you’re out there with your friends.”
“Adding exercise throughout your day is helpful, too. We call it incidental bouts of exercise. So instead of taking the elevator two flights, walk up the two flights. Park your car at the farthest parking spot instead of the closest parking spot. All those little things will definitely add up, will help you feel better about yourself.”
Overall Greene says the benefits of exercise on your health can be vast. Improved mood and mental acuity, an increase in flexibility and strength, improved blood pressure and decreased cholesterol are just a few results you may notice as you continue to workout. She tells us…
Andi McDonnell, U-M Health System News.“You don’t have to be an Olympic athlete to see benefits. Three times a week at a start and more later as you get into it will give you huge benefits.”
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