When aerobics first became popular almost three decades ago, the trend was toward high-impact exercises --- aerobic dancing, jogging, and jumping rope. And although these heart-revving activities produced excellent aerobic results, they put inordinate stress on the joints and bones, particularly the knees, ankles, feet, and lower back. Shine splints, a painful inflammation of the tendons and muscles of the lower leg, is one common injury that often results from too much high-impact activity.
The key to avoiding joint injury is two-fold: choosing the right exercises and monitoring and controlling the intensity with which you perform them. These days, many experts recommend low-impact like swimming and cycling, which cause much less wear and tear on joints. Both offer substantial aerobic benefits while reducing the risk of injury.
It is important, however, that some weight-bearing activities continue to be part of an exercise regimen, especially for women, because they help deter osteoporosis. Try alternating, say, between swimming and race walking to cut down on hard blows to the joints while still strengthening the bones.
Must You Do Aerobics To Stay Healthy?
Perhaps, not. The new thinking among physiologist is that engaging in even small amounts of physical activity several times a day can have a surprisingly beneficial effect on your health. Many experts say that accumulating a total of 30 minutes of routine physical activity over the course of a day will provide your body with some of the healthful bonuses of aerobics. A likely scenario might include walking for 10 minutes during lunchtime, climbing a flight or two of stairs in the afternoon, doing a little light housework toward the end of the day, and taking a brisk stroll after dinner.
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JANUARY 17
