Dr. Peter Gott offers sound medical answers to reader questions in the new Lifestyles section...
Physical activity should be a part of everyone's life.
It is important because our bodies were designed to move. They just work better that way, plain and simple. If you are thinking that it is time to begin doing more physical activity (aka exercise), then it is a good idea to first make sure that you are physically ready to do it.
I know this may sound a little backward initially, but you should be in relatively good health in order to begin a gradual workout program on your own. Yes, physical activity is supposed to help make us healthier, but before beginning, there may be some special guidelines for those who have specific health issues. This does not necessarily mean that you can't exercise; it just means that you should talk to your doctor before beginning a progressive exercise program. The doctor can then recommend certain guidelines to follow. You will want to know these special considerations beforehand so that any existing health issues are not made worse.
RED FLAGS
Personal trainers often use what is called a PAR-Q — Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire — as a quick screening method to determine if there are any red flags that might indicate having a doctor's visit first before participating in an exercise program. However, not all gyms require that this questionnaire be filled out, and not all PAR-Qs are the same.
Some common questions — and important questions to ask yourself before participating in a progressive exercise program — include:
Do I have any heart conditions or chest pains?
Have I ever felt dizzy or off-balance?
Do I have any joint or bone issues?
Do I have high blood pressure or elevated cholesterol?
Do I have trouble breathing?
Is there a family history of a heart attack?
Do I smoke?
If you answer yes to any of the questions above, then I would strongly suggest a trip to your doctor. And by no means should these be the only factors determining whether or not you should see your doctor beforehand. If there is any question at all as to whether you should participate, then you should definitely seek a physician's input.
DON'T HOLD BACK
If you have taken one of these screening tools and you are given the OK to work out, remember that you still need to monitor any changes in your health while you are participating in the exercise program. Just because you are cleared according to a PAR-Q doesn't mean you are invincible — it just means that you are at a lower risk for health complications during and after exercise. If you find that you suddenly begin to feel dizzy during exercise, for example, it is time to re-visit the PAR-Q or your doctor.
If you do happen to have a health issue that suggests a visit to the doctor, don't hold anything back when explaining your situation. Sometimes a physician will just tell you to start out slower. Other times, he or she may suggest the help of a rehab specialist before exercising on your own. During rehab, patients are monitored much more closely than they would be during a normal training session. Heart rate, blood pressure, speed of movement, etc., can all be monitored in order to make the exercises safer and more individualized.
By screening yourself before participating in an exercise program, you will be doing yourself an easy favor by avoiding some serious setbacks. Even though there can be many risks associated with an increase in physical activity, the benefits far outweigh them, especially if you take the proper precautions and work up gradually.
Ted Santaniello, CSCS, AFAA, is a certified personal trainer working at the Wellness Center at PARC, located at 295 New York road (next to ARC) in Plattsburgh. For more information, call him at 324-2024.
