Benefits of Running - Part 1

Note:

If you are keen and have queries, please contact Coach Rameshon at 9100 4369 or you can email him at m.rameshon@gmail.com or swift.rameshon@gmail.com. Please refer to website http://flexifitness.com.sg (for more information on him and his programmes)

By Rameshon

Bsc (Hons) Degree in Physical Education, Loughborough University (1992-1994)

Masters in Education (University of Western Australia, 2005-2008)

Benefits of Running - I exercise because of the two reasons listed below.

There are many physiological reasons why we should exercise. In fact, there are more than 30 reasons why running or exercise is important to our life.

From two research work that I have done, I just would like to focus on two main points that are important for exercise. It was great working with Mr Dave Williams,  my former supervisor for my degree programme, who has done research on geriatrics. Although, my research was on Maximum Oxygen Uptake and Heart Rate, done in Loughborough University between the Year 1993 and 1994 for my Bsc Hons degree as a partial requirement. From there I have learnt a few important things on what will happen to us in the later stages in life, especially, when we reach above 40 years old and above.

The muscles do two things to us in life. Muscles as a whole will atrophy, it means to get smaller in size, if you do not exercise for a long period of time. Hypertrophy, an increase in the size of muscles will take place when we exercise.  Hence we are given 100% of muscles by God so that we can function well, improving the quality of our life.

Whether muscles hypertrophies or atrophies, the percentage is given to us is 100%. This 100% muscles content will be lost if we do not exercise, especially between 40 and 70 years of age. Studies have shown that it can be lost by 40% as a whole. That means that by the time we hit 70 years old, we are having only 60% of muscles instead of 100%. Recently, I have seen a 72-year-old person having nearly 100% of quality muscles. Upon investigation, personally, I found that he has been playing badminton all along. I believe that even this is enough to make one to exercise.

One can amass wealth and lose one's quality of life through not exercising, not able to carry things and be independent in life, in terms of travelling around locally or overseas. I have seen some people who stay near my place, clinging to wheelchair and this should be avoided at all cost.

Another reason for me to participate in running, even today, is to prevent knee injury. Even when one is fit, it is confirmed less that one will sure go through knee injury somewhere around 45 years old and above. That is what the studies show. If one is sedentary throughout life, leading an inactive life, the individual will usually start getting knee problems at an early age of 40 years old.

Now that I am 48years old, I am fortunate not to have any injury right now. The reason for not getting any injury could be because of doing proper stretching, especially dynamic ones, that I am doing daily stretching.  I had told two of my top athletes in the past to stretch before and after exercise. They did not do this and have gone through serious injury which let to operations and is found not exercising enough. I hope that many will heed my advice to keep the body aligned and not get any injury. One could resort to Chiropractic practices in order to align the body as the spine is connected by nerves of the body.

Yoga stretches are excellent for aligning the body, such that one's joint is in place avoiding wear and tear of meniscus, ligaments and tendons.

There are numerous reasons why one should exercise and I will discuss this on another day. As for me, the reasons mentioned is enough to consider strongly to exercise more.

Note:

By Narayanan

Rameshon has taught in Hwa Chong Institution, plus several schools, and Republic Polytechnic as well. He has won many accolades and he was awarded Merit Award for 1991 marathon performance in breaking the national record of Singapore, at that time. He has made 22 male athletes do a marathon in sub-3hrs. He has made 7 female runners do sub-4 hours for the marathon, as well. He was inducted to the ‘Roll of Honour’  by the then College of Physical Education, organised by Singapore Olympic Academy, in 1998, for breaking the National record repeatedly 4 times, till he did 2hr 24min 22sec).

He also has a Coaching group and he trains them on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7pm at Botanic Gardens. Those interested can call him at 91004369 for coaching assistance, to improve performance. There is also personal training that he does for many in a week. You can e-mail him at swift.rameshon@gmail.com.