*Dear Dr. Francisco Colaco,* *Whatever you have said in your article is completely true. I have friends who tells me that they have joined the GYM and are exercising well. GYM nowadays are mushrooming in Goa, and having various kind of gadgets with ultramodern facilities. These gadgets probably are meant for foreigners body for developing muscles and these gadgets are now seen entering in our Indian market where people are crazy to enroll into these gyms. I have seen that among the people who are exercising some attained good value of it and many have been competing to each other and telling that they do much more exercises what others do. That means there is always competition among themselves in the GYM club, and boosting that they have joined the GYM, forgetting that these exercises could be harmful for some of them if not fitting them although they have their own staff appointed in their pay rolls as dieticians, gym instructors, physical therapists or aerobic teachers. *
*In other words these Gyms are the blessing in disguise as it is mostly become a show off to others.* *Therefore your advice given in your article for the moderate exercise could be a best choice for all the ailment as long as their qualified doctors/physicians approves them especially when they have heart or BP problems.* *Stephen Dias* *D.Paula* *======================================* *Do exercise, but do it in moderation* Many join a gym to achieve wellness and fitness. Here you find equipment, trainers, staff, and other members that you can consult regarding your activities. Professionals such as dieticians, gym instructors, physical therapists, aerobic teachers will tell you how to exercise and they can advise you the most appropriate diet. But there may be some disadvantages as far as gyms are concerned. The first disadvantage is with regard to expenses; then it may be difficult to get a parking lot and a locker room. The issue of time and distance also counts, as well as short supply and competition for some gadgets which are in high demand. Apart from gyms there are simpler ways to exercise. There are hundreds who alone or in company of friends go jogging. Jogging is the activity of running/ walking at a steady pace, as a form of physical exercise to achieve longevity and good cardiovascular health. Why is exercise so important? First, it prevents excess weight gain ( and helps maintain weight loss). It helps combat diseases, prevents high blood pressure, boosts high- density lipoprotein ( HDL) or “ good” cholesterol and decreases unhealthy triglycerides. Exercise also prevents or manages a wide range of health problems like stroke, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, depression, certain types of cancer and arthritis. It improves mood, boosts energy, promotes better sleep and puts the spark back into your sex life. Above all it gives you a chance to unwind, enjoy the outdoors or simply engage in activities that make you happy. There are three broad intensities of exercise. Light exercise is where the exerciser is able to talk while exercising. Going for a walk is an example of light exercise. In moderate exercise, the exerciser feels slightly out of breath during the session. Examples could be walking briskly, cycling moderately, or walking up a hill. In vigorous exercise, the exerciser is panting during the activity. He feels that his/ her body is being pushed much nearer its limit, compared to the other two intensities. This could include running and cycling fast. Some studies, however, are raising concerns about over- exercising. Too much exercise, they say, can be bad for your heart. Research by German scientists says that high intensity exercise may actually increase the risk of death from a heart attack or stroke in those with existing overt or silent heart disease. And a Swedish study, also published online in the journal Heart, suggests that young men undertaking endurance exercise for more than five hours a week may increase their risk of developing an irregular heart rhythm in later life. A few studies also show that young men who run marathons are more likely to need pacemakers in old age. A recent study from Copenhagen, Denmark published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology is very enlightening. It indicates that more exercise does not always mean more health benefits. Short, easy – not strenuous – jogging is what gives the biggest survival gain increasing longevity and promoting better health. The results also suggest there is a limit to the benefit of exercise. Too much running – done more frequently, for longer periods, or at a greater intensity – is not associated with any additional benefits compared with sedentary non- runners, the researchers seem to conclude. But one need not stick to a routine as far as exercise is concerned. You can yourself improvise ways to burn calories. When Dr Michael DeBakey, the world- renowned American cardiac surgeon, visited Mumbai many years ago, I happened to ask him, “ Sir, how much jogging do you do to keep yourself in good shape?” He retorted, “ Jogging? Oh no! My hospital is in a skyscraper. All I do is, whenever I have to move from one floor to the next, I walk up and down the staircase instead of taking the lift. And that’s it!” Indeed, if you don’t want to try higher forms of exercise don’t worry – at least remember to take a daily long walk. There’s a bonus in that too, as Friedrich Nietzsche said, “ All truly great thoughts are conceived while walking.” And Henry David Thoreau wrote, “ An early- morning walk is a blessing for the whole day.” I also can vouch that there is nothing better than a long walk at a moderate pace. Some pertinent advice, “ If you want to start a new exercise programme, especially if you haven’t exercised for a long time, have chronic health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes or arthritis, or any other concerns, remember to check with your doctor before embarking on something that may not be right for you”. ( Dr. Francisco Colaço is a seniormost consulting physician, pioneer of Echocardiography in Goa.) *Dr Francisco Colaço Research by German scientists says that high intensity exercise may actually increase the risk of death from a heart attack or stroke in those with existing overt or silent heart disease.*
