Living sedentary threatens health in all aspects. Making a sedentary life a habit paves the way for the formation of many diseases and causes earlier aging. Inactivity, which ranks fourth among the risk factors that cause death worldwide, stands out as a very important risk factor in the formation of breast and colon cancers, diabetes and ischemic heart disease. Regular physical activity is required to reduce the effects of aging, to be protected from diseases and to be vigorous.
ONE IN EVERY FOUR ADULTS IS INACTIVE
Today, especially with the technological developments, the number of inactive individuals is increasing day by day. Near East University Hospital Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department Specialist Assist. Assoc. Dr. Pembe Hare Yiğitoğlu Çeto emphasized that this situation negatively affects the health of people, and said that the time spent sedentary during the day due to television, internet and study, especially in children and young people, is too much to be underestimated. Stating that one out of every four adults worldwide is not active, Assist. Assoc. Dr. Pembe Hare Yiğitoğlu Çeto stated that inactivity ranks fourth in the list of risk factors that cause death worldwide, and that it is a very important risk factor in the formation of breast and colon cancers, diabetes and ischemic heart disease.
FOR HEALTH, YOU MUST WALK FIVE DAYS A WEEK
Stating that physical activity is defined as any bodily movement that requires energy and produced by skeletal muscles, Pembe Hare Yiğitoğlu Çeto said that movements performed while working, playing, doing housework and in leisure time are included in mild physical activity. Emphasizing that physical activities such as regular walking, cycling and swimming, which are defined as moderate intensity, have significant beneficial effects on health, Çeto said, “For the recovery and maintenance of the health of adults, 150 minutes a week, preferably 30 minutes 5 days a week, such as walking, light jogging, cycling or swimming. Moderate-intensity endurance activities using large muscle groups are recommended. In addition, strength exercises involving large muscle groups in different parts of the body 2 days a week are important for the prevention and protection of bone and muscle tissue loss.
ENDURANCE INCREASES WITH PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Saying that muscle strength increases with regular and adequate physical activity, Çeto continued, stating that with sufficient physical activity, endurance increases, and well-being in heart and respiratory diseases improves:
“With adequate physical activity, bone mineral density increases, osteoporosis is prevented, the risk of hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, breast, colon cancer and depression decreases; the risk of falling is reduced to avoid hip and spine fractures; energy balance and weight control are provided. With physical activity, healthy aging is ensured and it is aimed to create more active elderly individuals. Stating that a community-based but cultural approach that includes different fields should be developed to increase physical activity, Çeto stated that physical activity should be made a lifestyle. Emphasizing that urban design and urban planning should facilitate physical activity, Çeto stated that this situation should be supported by government policies.