1. Lifetime Fitness and Wellness15
Lifetime Fitness and Wellness

2. Lifetime Fitness and Wellness
Lack of physical activity decreases functional capacity more than the effects of aging
Functional capacity: ability to perform the ordinary and unusual demands of daily living without limitations or excessive fatigue or injury
Unhealthy behaviors precipitate premature aging
A healthy lifestyle can allow people to live a longer, functionally independent life

3. Physical Work Capacity, Aging, and Lifestyle Habits
Figure Relationships between physical work capacity, aging, and lifestyle habits.

4. Physiological Age
An individual’s physiological age may be older or younger than their chronological age
Physiological age: biological and functional capacity of the body in relation to the person’s maximal potential at any given age in the lifespan
Chronological age: calendar age
The rate at which you age depends on a combination of genetics and lifestyle factors
Lifestyle behaviors have greater impact on longevity and health

5. Life Expectancy
Life expectancy is the number of years a person is expected to live
By looking at 46 critical genetic and lifestyle factors, you will be able to estimate your life expectancy and your real physiological age
Most of these factors are under your control

6. Conventional Western Medicine
Traditional medical practice based on methods that are tested through rigorous scientific trials; also called allopathic medicine
Practitioners include primary care physicians, osteopaths, dentists, oral surgeons, orthodontists, ophthalmologists, optometrists, physician assistants, and nurses

7. Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
Group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine
Also called unconventional, nonallopathic, or integrative medicine

8. Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) (cont’d.)
Common reasons for using CAM:
Lack of progress
Frustration and dissatisfaction
Lack of personal attention
Rising cost of health-care
Belief that body, mind, and spirit all contribute to good health

9. Three Categories of CAM Therapies
Natural products including use of a variety of herbal medicines (botanicals), vitamins, minerals, and other “natural products”
Mind–body medicine focusing on interactions among the brain, mind, body, and behavior
Manipulative and body-based practices such as spinal manipulation and massage therapy

10. Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) (cont’d.)
CAM includes a wide range of approaches:
Acupuncture
Chiropractics
Herbal medicine
Homeopathy and naturopathic medicine
Ayurveda
Magnetic therapy
Massage therapy

11. Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) (cont’d.)
Shortcomings of CAM:
Practitioners may not be well educated
Some practices are devoid of science
Many CAM practices are not regulated
Natural and herbal products are not regulated
Combining prescription and CAM drugs can yield undesirable side effects

12. Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) (cont’d.)
Herbal medicines
Potency is not always adequately controlled
Some have undesirable side effects
Be an informed consumer
Disclose all conventional and unconventional treatments to all health care providers
Visit nccam.nih.gov

13. Integrative Medicine
Integrative medicine is the combination of practices and methods of alternative medicine with conventional western medicine
Encompasses all aspects of the individual’s lifestyle – the ultimate goal is to treat the body, mind, and spirit

14. Critical Thinking

15. Quackery and Fraud
Advertisements based on unproven claims, secret research, half-truths, and quick-fixes
When seeking advice on the Internet:
Look for credentials and note contact info
Check appearance and last update
Be cautious if a site tries to sell you something
Compare content to other credible sources
Beware of sites that are critical of regulation
Beware of vague, pseudo-medical jargon

16. Quackery and Fraud (cont’d.)
Report consumer fraud to the National Council against Health Fraud (NCAHF)
Be informed before you make a purchase
Seek advice from reputable professionals
Verify qualifications, degrees, and experience
If sounds to good to be true, it probably is

17. Some Reliable Newsletters
Consumer Reports on Health
Environmental Nutrition
Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter
UC Berkeley Wellness Letter

18. Health/Fitness Club Memberships
Does it comply with ACSM standards?
What other options does your community offer?
Is the atmosphere comfortable to you?
What are the costs?
What facilities are available?
Consider location and operating hours

19. Health/Fitness Club Memberships (cont’d.)
Work out several times before becoming a member
Is it clean and hygienic?
Are the instructors qualified?
What is their approach to fitness?
What supplementary services are provided?

20. ACSM Standards for Health and Fitness Facilities
Figure American College of Sports Medicine standards for health and fitness facilities.

21. Personal Trainers
A personal trainer is a health/fitness professional who evaluates, motivates, educates, and trains clients to help them meet individualized healthy lifestyle goals
Must have experience and ability to design safe and effective programs based on current fitness level, and health status

22. Personal Trainers (cont’d.)
No licensing body oversees personal trainers
At minimum, trainers should have an undergraduate degree and certification from ACSM, ACE, NSCA, or NASM
Set program goals before selecting a trainer

23. Purchasing Exercise Equipment
Many people buy expensive equipment but do not use it regularly
Recommendations for purchasing equipment
Try before you buy
Look for quality
Ask for references
Watch out for expensive gadgets

24. Critical Thinking

25. Self-Evaluation and Behavioral Goals for the Future
Most people who engage in a personal fitness and wellness program experience a new quality of life after only a few weeks
Evaluate how well you have achieved your own goals, and reassess the health-related components of physical fitness

26. The Fitness/Wellness Experience and a Challenge for the Future
Fitness and wellness is a process – you need to put forth a constant and deliberate effort to achieve and maintain a higher quality of life
Improving the quality of your life, and most likely your longevity, is in your hands

27. Assess Yourself
Has your level of activity increased compared with the beginning of the term? Is your diet healthier now compared with a few weeks ago?
Do you understand the following concepts?
The effects of healthy living on longevity
Physiological vs. chronological age
Complementary/alternative medicine practices
How to prevent of consumer fraud
Factors to consider when choosing a fitness club