Exercise: Types, Importance and Guidelines for exercising the body

Exercise

Exercise is defined as an act of making the muscles of the body perform activities like pushups, weight lifting, yoga, dance, jumping, running, swimming walking, and playing games like football, tennis, basketball, etc.

Importance of Exercise

• It helps the body to grow strong and healthy.

• It stimulates appetite.

• It maintains sound sleep.

• It increases the flow of blood to the muscles.

• It aids digestion and prevents constipation.

• It reduces excess weight.

• It makes the sweat glands to become more active.

• It improves muscle tone by making it strong, firm and healthy.

Please read on posture in home economics here.

Types of Exercise

• Strengthening Exercise: This helps to build strong muscle. Examples include weight lifting, pushups and sit-ups.

• Aerobic Exercises: These are carried out to strengthen the heart and the lungs. Examples include running, cycling, jogging and swimming.

• Stretching Exercises: These are performed to trim the body muscles and make it firmer, especially the arms, thighs, buttocks and tummy. Examples include sit-ups, press-up (or pushup), lying on the back, lying on the side, and touching the toes.

Please read on fatigue in home economics here.

Guidelines for Exercising the Body

• Do not exercise when sick.

• Take water during and after exercise.

• Do not exercise immediately after eating.

• Undertake exercises that involves all parts of the body. Examples include jogging, cycling and walking.

• Do not wear tight underwear and clothing during exercise to allow for blood circulation.

• Maintain a specific time for exercise. For example, mornings and evenings. Also, exercise regularly, at least, three times a week.

• Dress in sport attires during exercises. For instance, sneakers, football boots, jerseys, tracksuits, etc.

• Never use drugs for exercises and sports.

• Consult a medical doctor for a suitable exercise for your body.

You can read on the skin infections in home economics here.

Using Drugs in Exerises and Sports

Avoid the use of drugs in sports. Examples of drugs to be avoided include marijuana, crack, heroine, tobacco, kolanuts, cocaine etc. 

The use of drugs during exercise comes with numerous side effects and disadvantages.

Disadvantages of using Drugs in Exercise and Sports

• It leads to anti-social behaviours.

• Drug users develop health problems like depression and addiction.

• They cheat other contestants as the drug enhances their performance in sports.

• It could lead to death due to addition.

• They are law breakers as a result of illegal possession of drugs.

• It may destroy the career of an athlete.

Please read motivational quotes for students here.

Guidelines for Preventing Drug Addition

• Take only drugs that are prescribed by a doctor.

• Follow the pharmacist's and doctor's prescription for drug use.

• Choose friends who aren't addicted to drugs.

• Avoid self medication.

Please read home economics scheme of work for jss1 first term here.