Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | NXg | Friday Review | Cinema Plus | Young World | Property Plus | Quest | Folio |

FITNESS TALK

Renowned trainer and veteran journalist K.P. Jayakumar observes: “Sometime back I received a letter from a very healthy youth whose doctor had advised him to stay away from weight training as it was ‘bad for the heart.’ I presented some of the facts submitted by American Heart Association in one of their conventions, and told my young friend to show it to his physician.

The reports say that weight training, along with cardiovascular training (like brisk walking, cycling, swimming, etc.), has a major role in preventing heart disease. But for those who have suffered very serious damage to the heart, all others, even those who have had a heart attack, can workout under the careful supervision of an expert trainer.

Such persons should avoid certain exercises though. Proper weight training can be effectively used for cardiac rehabilitation.

“Weight training builds (based on the type of workouts and the calories consumed) or at least maintains lean muscles at the expense of burning body fat. This helps to maintain a person’s metabolic rate.

It also improves glucose metabolism, which simply means that weight training helps in preventing the onset of diabetes.

Those who are already suffering from the condition have also used their workouts to fight the problem.

“Cardiologists have said in the medical journal ‘Hypertension’ that weight training, if sensibly used, helps a person fight high blood pressure. George Kelly of the University of Northern Illinois says that his study involving people with high blood pressure proved this point.

At the end of three months, the test subjects showed a 2 % decrease in systolic blood pressure and 4 % decrease in diastolic pressure.

However, he says that those who suffer from congestive heart failure and unstable angina should stay away from weight training.

“In general, any common man can immensely benefit from three each weight training and cardiovascular workouts every week.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail