Introduction to
Human Health (I)
Health Studies 200
Course
Outline
- Course Home Page
- Course Objectives
- Course Outline
- Unit 1
- Unit 2
- Unit 3
- Unit 4
- Unit 5
- Unit 6
- Unit 7
- Unit 8
- Unit 9
- Unit 10
- Unit 11
- Unit 12
- Study Schedule
- Assignments
- Student Evaluation
- Unit Quizzes
- Resources
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Digital Reading Room
Unit 6
Active Living
Recognizing the health benefits of physical fitness is nothing new. In 1975, the Ontario Ministry of Health was recommending fitness for the same reasons as those given today: preventing obesity; reducing fatigue; increasing flexibility, stamina, strength, endurance, and coordination; reducing stress and tension; improving work performance; and increasing one’s joie de vivre (Ontario Ministry of Health, 1975).
Since 1975, there has been a shift from promoting physical fitness to promoting active living. Active living refers to physical activity as well as broader concepts—it is a way of life in which physical activities are valued and naturally integrated into daily living and leisure; being active includes participating in physical activities that are enjoyable, require some effort, and promote health and happiness. Active living also promotes actions not traditionally thought of as fitness activities—taking the stairs instead of the elevator, parking at the rear of the parking lot and walking to the entrance, going for a walk at lunch time, biking to work, and playing a sport. The advantage to promoting physical fitness in this manner is that it makes physical activity improvements accessible to everyone, not just those who are already fit or those who are involved in certain sports.
Objectives
After completing this unit, you should be able to
- define active living, and describe the overall benefits of regular physical activity.
- outline the three types of activities listed in the Handbook for Canada’s Physical Activity Guide to Healthy Active Living, and discuss parameters such as recommended frequency, intensity, duration and type of activity.
- outline the components of an aerobic exercise program, and describe how to determine the proper frequency, intensity, and duration of exercise.
- describe the different stretching exercises designed to improve flexibility.
- describe muscle resistance programs, and identify the types of muscle contractions and the primary muscle groups to exercise.
- distinguish between muscular strength and endurance.
- identify common fitness injuries, and describe how they can be prevented.
- design a basic personal active living program.
