Sports Mania vs Fitness
The Western diet and sedentary lifestyle have resulted in a
lack of fitness among those who do not make a concerted
effort. Yet, many times those efforts prove unsuccessful
because they are not sustainable lifestyle changes. For this
reason, there is a huge difference between sports mania and
actual fitness.
What is Sports Mania?
We should first define the word mania. While it can mean
“an excessive enthusiasm or desire; an obsession” it can also
mean “mental illness marked by periods of great excitement,
and overactivity.”
Oftentimes the recognition that we are lacking in fitness
causes an extreme shift. We go from being completely
sedentary to overly active. We jump into a new fitness craze
with both feet and go completely overboard. This is what
could be considered sports mania. The severe overcorrection
that can lead to a drastic uptick in activity, a radical shift that
cannot be sustained for a long period of time.
What is Fitness?
Fitness is defined as “health” but also “capability of the body
to distribute inhaled oxygen to muscle tissue during increased
physical effort”. In other words, true fitness is wellness and
the ability to stay well during extreme exertion. To an extent,
we could also use the word “stamina” in this instance and still
be accurate.
Fitness isn’t something that can be achieved overnight, it
requires making a concerted effort to fuel our bodies right
and then burn that fuel reasonably, sensibly and responsibly.
The Dangers of Sports Mania
Many times, sports mania is the result of an overreaction
to a fitness dilemma. A healthcare professional gives us
a dire warning about our health and we overreact. While
exercise is wise and, when done properly, is good for us;
that overreaction will result in manic sport involvement
which may result in injuries.
Primary care physicians are always encouraging their
patients to be more active and develop an exercise routine
or regimen, which is clearly good advice. This has created a
rise in popularity of endurance events and gym-based fitness
classes that, while beneficial, can be dangerous. The danger
lies in moving too quickly from a sedentary existence to an
extremely physical one.
The Chiropractic Factor
The issue of sports mania vs fitness has its foundation in our
culture of extremes. When we consider what fitness was
back in the 50’s and 60’s, the past 50 years have not done
us any favors. We are not healthier as a society. We’ve gone
into so many different extremes and the result is increased
injuries and a lack of wellness.
From a chiropractic perspective, these extremes are
damaging joints and resulting in overuse injuries that have
not been seen in the past. Children are requiring surgeries
that used to be associated with old age. What does this
mean for adults 20 or 30 years from now? Someone in their
50’s may be experiencing a lack of mobility and function that
is typical for someone in their 80’s. Decisions made in their
childhood and early adulthood may have consequences
affecting the rest of their lives; lost mobility for the back half
of their life.
If you genuinely want to make a change to a more wellness
lifestyle that includes better nutrition and physical activity,
then be sure to ask your Family Wellness Chiropractor for
recommendations. Your Doctor of Chiropractic can suggest
ways for you to gradually move from sedentary to active and
avoid the dangers of “extremes”.
Call today to and learn how to avoid the dangers of the “extremes” workouts 360-474-7531