by Dr. E.B.S. Ramanathan - Ram Sethu

There is a tremendous increase in sporting activities worldwide and people are more health conscious today than ever before. There are many reasons for people to indulge in sports and a large number do it in pursuit of a healthy life. In Oman and other Gulf countries increased prosperity has provided more leisure time and this has contributed to the increase in sporting activities.

There are many benefits of exercising regularly. Exercise reduces the risk of heart disease. It is now well established that walking for half an hour a day is the best way to keep the coronaries open and improve the heart function. In this day and age of high tech solutions this sounds too simple, but it is true that an activity like walking costs nothing and is still the best! Exercise helps to control blood pressure in hypertensive patients. This is particularly helpful for the borderline hypertensive patients to avoid medication. It must be remembered that drug therapy for high blood pressure is a life-long commitment, and if exercise can help you avoid medication then it's better for you.

What are the other benefits of exercise? According to the statistics from the Ministry of Health, Diabetes is a serious problem in Oman. Many studies including the recent Finnish study has recommended Exercise along with a combination of low-fat and high-fibre diet to prevent adult-onset diabetes. The role of exercise is not only for preventing diabetes but also forms an important part of therapy in patients with established diabetes. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends exercise for diabetics and points out that physical activity is an underutilized therapy for people with type 2 diabetes (adult diabetes). They recommend that a regular program of physical activity should be part of their prescription for controlling the disease.

Are you too old to exercise? The answer is an emphatic NO. Provided you are not suffering from any serious illness that may preclude you from exercising, there are many benefits of exercise for the ageing process. If you have doubts on this, consult your doctor before you start exercising. Increased prosperity and better health facilities has resulted in people living longer with its attendant problems like osteoporosis (softening of the bone) and muscle weakness resulting in falls and fractures. Exercise in the elderly has a profound influence on the level of muscular strength and increases muscle endurance. This has a great bearing on the balance and co-ordination providing protection against injury. Exercise also helps to maintain your bone mineral density and if started early it can prevent osteoporosis, the main cause of fractures in the elderly.

Lastly, what are the benefits of exercise on mental health and well-being? Regular exercise reduces your level of anxiety and helps you manage stress more effectively. Today, we live in an ever-increasing competitive world and in the name of progress we have brought on ourselves stress, strains and dissatisfaction which literally kills many of us. A fiery boardroom meeting or an altercation with the boss may cause unbearable stress. Similarly, differences at home can build up emotions and stress. Recreation in the form of sports and exercise is an ideal way to combat stress at work and home. A game of tennis or golf can divert the mind and relieve the pressure. It helps you to relax by diverting your attention from your problems and improves the overall quality of life.

It is important to remember that although exercise and sports are greatly beneficial, there are certain precautions to be taken. If you suffer from any serious illness then you need to consult your doctor before performing sports. Physical activity is beneficial if it is done correctly and in moderation. The magic formula for health - diet and exercise - is not new, but has existed since the days of Hippocrates, the father of Medicine who had this to say nearly 2500 years ago.

"If we could give every individual the right amount of nourishment and exercise, not too little and not too much, we would have found the safest way to health." - Hippocrates 460 - 377 BC