Exercising for good health

Not too long ago, a lecturer with the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai (IBBUL), Prof. James Boyi Omonu, raised an alarm over the rampant cases of sudden deaths in the country from lifestyle-related diseases, blaming it on lack of physical exercise, health education awareness and eating of junk foods.

Prof. Omonu raised the concern while presenting the 8th inaugural lecture of the university entitled “Physical Exercise: The Best Antidote in Lifestyle-Related Diseases”.

He said that most human deaths from lifestyle diseases could be averted if people adhere strictly to physical exercise instead of resorting to orthodox medicine.

He said, “With the modern production of junk foods and things that could make life ‘more comfortable’, most people relish sedentary lifestyle which always results in overweight, obesity and cardiovascular issues due to imbalance of intake and expended calories that often cause sudden and silent deaths”.

He pointed out that the only potent antidote to most silent killer diseases occasioned by sedentary lifestyle is regular exercise which he explained has enormous health and financial advantages over orthodox medication.

In his remark, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Mohammed Nasir Maiturare, said that the institution had declared every Wednesday as sports day in order to ensure participation of staff and students in physical exercises.

He lauded the lecturer for the success of the lecture, believing that it would impact positively on the lives of the university community and the society in general. Prof. Maiturare also noted that the lecture was timely considering the increasing cases of sudden deaths in the country.

The don’s apprehension could not have been expressed at a better time. The culture of exercising is alien to most Nigerians, irrespective of their social status, religious or cultural beliefs. This is borne out of ignorance as well as the wrong perception that exercising in any form is a white man’s culture. The average wealthy man or woman regards exercising as time wasting and a distraction from their busy schedules. Owing to lack of exercises, they slip into obesity and weight gain. The popular reasoning among the elite in this country is that spotting pot bellies is an evidence of good living.

The lifestyles of most Nigerians are an invitation to protruding tummies: overfeeding, alcoholic intake, sedentary occupation, lack of exercise. Most of them are of the view that engaging in physical exercises is time wasting. Some wealthy individuals are of the belief that overhang tummies are trademarks of bigmanism.

A simple routine like taking a walk around the neigbourhood is seen as a taboo for the average Nigerian big man. Should he even venture to do so, the question neighbours would ask is: “Where is our car?”

We urge relevant agencies of government at all levels to encourage Nigerians to imbibe the culture of exercising their bodies for good health and optimum performance at work. One practical way of ensuring this is for the government to provide recreational facilities for the average Nigerian to exercise regularly. Not many of them can afford to pay for services at the fitness studios.

The provision of such facilities would encourage many to embrace the culture of keeping fit. The Nigerian city roads are not friendly for such exercises such as walking or jogging. Many jogging freaks have been dispatched to their early graves by reckless motorists while exercising along the road.

However, we advise that no one should hit the ground without ensuring the state of their health, especially their heart condition. There are different exercises which could benefit everyone. Besides jogging, slow or brisk walking, there are other forms of exercise individuals can settle for depending on facilities provided at recreational centres. Availability and accessibility of such centres will encourage Nigerians to embrace the culture of keeping fit, even though many are contending with varying economic challenges among which is underfeeding which, itself is inimical to exercising.

Be that as it may, many exercise freaks have jogged or raced to their early graves because they ignored the basic rule of assessing their state of health and seeking expert advice before embarking on the fitness process. It will be an irony for one to lose his or her life in the course of trying to keep fit to live long. Even sportsmen and women who live by engaging in physical activities are known to give up the ghost in the line of duty.