Ron, You've been going on a bit here, haven't you.
Exercise is a useful occupation in health promotion. It likely does enhance physiological functioning. It likely does promote enhanced mood and self-concept, and such. And I would assert that for many participating in it, it would be a "personally relevant and meaningful (i.e. occupation)". Is exercise in and of itself the nirvana of all occupations? Clearly not, but by this line of thinking neither are collecting, or painting, or growing a business, or raising a child. Many occupations chosen and directed by the individual weave that persons "tapestry of life". One of those chosen occupations may be exersice. I would be interested to know, Ron, why you appear to be so passionate against "exercise" as an occupational form for health promotion. Aaron Eakman ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ron Carson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Sunday, June 23, 2002 5:38 AM Subject: exercise versus occupation > Hey: > > Everywhere I go, I keep hearing the term, "exercise" as a way to promote > health. I really believe that people are often using the term "exercise" > when of course they really mean occupation. When someone talks about having > an active lifestyle, more time than not, they are talking about having an > occupationally full life. In other words, a life that may include exercise, > but almost always includes many other forms of non-exercise related > activities. > > Many people exercise and are still mentally and emotionally unhealthy. Where > as, if these people were to engage in occupation that was challenging and > successful, they would develop a greater sense of competence and self-worth. > Putting a client on stationary bicycle and believing that this is someone > going to improve their health is narrow minded. Of course, OT's often define > health differently than other health care professions. > > >From an OT perspective, health is NOT measured in terms of oxygen uptake, > heart rate, blood pressure, etc. Health is measured by one's ability to > SUCCESSFULLY engage in activity that is personally relevant and meaningful > (i.e. occupation). > > However, being able to engage in occupation is infinitely more complex than > simply increasing physiological function. Too many times, exercise is seen > as a 'cure all' for our health problems and for some, simple exercise may be > a great answer. But for many others, health problems (defined as loss of > occupational performance competence) will not be alleviated nor reduced by > exercise. > > Again, occupation is the name of the game. > > Ron > > *********��*********** > > Unsubscribe? Send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > In the message's *body*, put the following text: unsubscribe OTlist > > ** List messages are archived at: > > http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] > > *********��*********** > *********��*********** Unsubscribe? Send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] In the message's *body*, put the following text: unsubscribe OTlist ** List messages are archived at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] *********��***********
