Literature review Physical health and wellness
Literature review
Physical health and wellness is a significant concern for many athletes. The author takes a look at some of the critical aspects of keeping fit for individuals that participate in sporting activities. Of the most beneficial is that it reduces the risk of one getting heart attacks, and also ensures that one can manage their weight in a better way. Besides, individuals that engage in regular physical activities are less likely to get some cancers and diabetes. However, the physical activities are not only limited to the effect of the physical body but also impact on the mind of an individual (Manore et al., 2009). Several types of research point out the effect of physical exercise to reduced levels of depression (Carlbring et al. 2015). The views on how physical activity and the impact on depression vary. One of the opinions takes a look at the role of the brain in the function of the rest of the body. The body is connected to the mind through a series of nerves (Manore et al., 2009). Therefore if the body is in better condition, the brain will also be better. When one engages in physical activity, the body produces endorphins that help the body to deal with pain, improve the ability to sleep and reduce stress. At times medication, massage therapy and breathing hard might help the body to produce this hormone. Therefore workouts that are low and moderate in intensity might help one to feel healthy and energized.
Buell et al., (2013) has pointed out the role that exercise play in reducing the level of stress in the body and thus helping one to stay healthier. It is essential to understand that the health of the mind often works to make the rest of the body healthy (Buell et al., 2013). However, an impact aspect that people underscore is the level of intensity of the workouts. The workouts would only be beneficial to the body only if they are restricted to moderate or low intensity. However, one of the major misconceptions that people have is that one has just to workout.
In most cases, individuals end up overworking and thus instead of the activity helping the individual stay healthier, they end up even in worse condition. The research thus helps to provide one of the clues to the impact of physical activity and the levels those individuals should focus on even when they are athletes. It is with this view that people should not underscore the fact that not all physical activities might be beneficial for the athletes. Some physical activities might be too intense and thus lead the body to lose some important micronutrients that might eventually affect the functioning of the body (Buell et al., 2013). The research, therefore, seems to support the fact that people should not only focus on working out but also on a diet that could help in restocking the most micronutrients.
Athletes are required to have an adequate diet and plenty of fluids so that they can maximize their physical performance. Studies have shown that the success of an individual in sports is based on their genetic makeup coupled up with the metabolic, physiological and psychological characteristics also play an essential role (Williams 2004). However, with such genetics endowment, an athlete is often expected to receive optimal training that can enhance their physical power and mental strength so that they can have some mechanical advantage. In recent years the athletes have tried to use approaches that go beyond training and use criteria known as ergogenics that is aimed at giving them a competitive advantage. The downside of these substances is that they end up affecting the body and they have been banned based on doping. The only solutions that athlete are left with are the dietary strategies. The most critical focus is on a dietary supplement that is known as a sports supplement. Williams (2004) thus makes an important point on the need to use supplements in addition to the physical training. While the physical exercise might give one an edge in the sports, it is evident that most athletes would require using something that could give them an extra boost. While the use of ergogenics might have a side effect and are illegal, dietary supplements are not unlawful. Therefore athletes might need to use these supplement.
Although the authors offer some good look at the importance of the use of food supplement for athletes, there seem to be some elements of biases. The authors are focused on giving the impact that the supplements play in the athlete’s body without taking a look at the role of other factors. Their focus is only on the fact that the supplement can offer a boost, but they do not take about the potential negative impact that they might have on the sportspeople. There might thus be a need to take a look at the negative effects that this supplement might have on the general health of an individual. Besides, there is a possibility that in future the supplement might be included as doping agents.
References
Buell, J. L., Franks, R., Ransone, J., Powers, M. E., Laquale, K. M., & Carlson-Phillips, A. (2013). National Athletic Trainers’ Association position statement: evaluation of dietary supplements for performance nutrition. Journal of athletic training, 48(1), 124-136.
Carlbring, P., Nystrom, M., Lindner, P., Martell, C., Forsberg, L., Ström, L., … & Hassmen, P. (2015). Behavioral Activation vs. Physical Exercise in the Treatment of Mild to Moderate Depression. In The 45th Annual European Association for Behavioural Cognitive Therapies Congress, Jerusalem, Israel, 31 August-03 September 2015…
Manore, M., Meyer, N. L., & Thompson, J. (2009). Sports nutrition for health and performance. Human Kinetics.
Williams, M. H. (2004). Dietary supplements and sports performance: introduction and vitamins. Journal of the international society of sports nutrition, 1(2), 1.
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