DrWinner.org - Step 6, Exercise the Body

It is important to understand the relationship between physical activity, physical fitness, and health. There is no question that continuous activity and proper physical fitness lowers the risk of neurovascular and cardiovascular disease, specifically stroke, hypertension, and heart disease. It is important to appreciate that reducing the risks of these disorders needs a multi-factorial approach of which physical fitness and exercise is key to proper brain health.

It is also important for other aspects of control of the nervous system, the control of pain, both neck and back pain, and also in prevention.

It is important to understand the importance of regular moderate physical exercise to lengthen and strengthen the quality of our life. Presently neurovascular and cardiovascular disease are the main killers of men and women in the United States. It is important that we watch our diet, use appropriate supplements, keep our weight in a normal range, of a body mass index as we discussed from 18 to 24 range, but that’s not enough. We must have a regular routine exercise program. This exercise program should include weight training as part of an overall fitness plan. There are several books that can be used to help understand the importance of physical fitness. A simply suggestion is a book called “Fitness for Dummies” as a starting point. For those who would like more detailed information I suggested you read “Fitness and Health”, sixth edition by Drs. Sharkey and Gaskill. This latter text goes into much more detail with regard to the importance of fitness and as a more clinical approach to physical fitness and the positives regarding reducing neurovascular and cardiovascular disease.

Stretching the mind and the body are important. Proper stretching as part of a workout is imperative. There are several books that can help you in this matter as well. One to understand the importance of stretching is a book called “The Anatomy of Stretching” by Brad Walker as a starting point. This book is comprehensive and can help you hopefully avoid injury as you proceed to improve your physical fitness.

Another aspect is to coordinate your physical fitness program with an optimum nutrition program. The keys are simple. To approach your nutrition with the benefits of a low fat, low bad carbohydrate, high good carbohydrate or complex carbohydrate, and moderate protein intake. Again, please see books on nutrition that are referenced in Step 2 to address this issue.

Another aspect of physical fitness is to keep your interest. One way to do that is to vary your regimen such as walking, bicycling, swimming, etc. I must add it’s important to protect your brain during times of exercise. It is recommended to wear a properly certified bicycle helmet when cycling. When engaged in team sports where it’s appropriate, again wear high quality head-protective gear for contact sports. Just as an aside, should you choose a recreational activity that uses vehicles such as motorcycles or four-wheelers, it is recommended again to wear appropriate protective head gear and body protective gear to avoid unnecessary injury.

Further details on the specifics of various exercises will follow.