HOW TO MAINTAIN ATHLETIC HEALTH

 

Y

ears ago, when I was much younger, I attended the retirement ceremony of an older friend who was bidding it bye to public service. It turned out to be a memorable occasion for me.

 Part of the program was a physical exercise presentation cum demonstration by an instructor. He came with some of his students to demonstrate some simple exercises which the celebrant should be doing, on a daily basis to keep fit. One of his advises to the man was that he should endeavor to exercise every day, even if it is to stretch his arms and legs and to take a short walk whenever possible..

 The man tried to do what the instructor said to demonstrate that he is still fit and can do all that. By the time he finished, the whole place was rocking with laughter. It was obvious that he could not have been doing any exercise, at least, as he advanced towards that age.

 I did all sort of games in and post high school. Usually they were rigorous ones. That left me thinking about what the instructor had said, “even if it is stretching your arms and legs…” what would a few stretching of legs do to someone as a form of exercise? I was doubtful but kept it in mind even as I was growing into my own later years.

Am I there now? Well, you will find out if you read on.

While bathing one night, it just occurred to me that I can’t use my left hand to scrub my back much as I would my right. “Is that how it was created?” I wondered. I’m sure it couldn’t have been. “So what could have been the cause?” I thought. The only thing, I concluded, is “Routine.” Yeah routine, and that should be it and nothing else. Though not deliberate I had been using more of my right hand to wash my back and other parts of my body than I had with the left arm. Over the years it had become a routine and that has given the arm an advantage of extra fluidity and flexibility.

Now I can make a connection between it and what the physical exercise instructor said at the puling-out-of-service ceremony of my friend. Thereafter, I deliberately began to use my left hand to bathe and I am seeing the difference in terms of where my left hand can reach.

What stood out for me there is that one should be deliberate about his fitness exercises. It is even more beneficial when you keep it simple, and deliberate, but consistent. This is better, as one grows in age, than to put on a great spurt, and phew, you are out, and out – a dread of even engaging in it in the future.

Such slow rhythmic exercise is capable of keeping all parts of our body well oiled. Ensures enduring flexibility.  Athleticism. Healthiness. Even as we age.

 Written by Ali Elias

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