Start2Finish Battles Child Poverty

“Poverty is the state of one who lacks a certain amount of material possessions or money. Absolute poverty or destitution refers to being unable to afford basic human needs, which commonly includes clean and fresh water, nutrition, health care, education, clothing and shelter.” (Wikipedia)

What is most troubling about poverty is that as Canadians we think that poverty refers to other people in another land.  But it is not. It is right here in Canada.  There are children living in poverty, who are at great risk and require guidance, academic and physical support, and most importantly, hope for a brighter future.

 

This is why organizations such as Start2Finish are stepping up to break the cycle of child poverty in Canada by providing ongoing educational support and physical activity opportunities to children at risk during their school years. By investing in their future and developing their mind, body and social health, Start2Finish is empowering poverty-stricken Canadian children to succeed, giving them opportunities they  might not otherwise have  ever had.

One of the highly successful Start2Finish programs also addresses the all-important need for physical literacy, by including “The Running & Reading Club” after-school program. This 32-week program is led by 1984 Olympian Sylvia Ruegger, the Canadian record holder in the women’s marathon, who combines enhanced literacy with physical activity to economically challenged children. The program operates directly within local inner city schools, and runs from October to June.  This unique opportunity takes children on a journey that improves their physical, mental, emotional and social health, fostering discipline, goal-setting and literacy.  They build their endurance and strength through fitness activities and also receive individualized tutoring in reading and writing. At the end of the year, the children participate in the Start2Finish 5 km “Run for Change and Reading Challenge” followed by an awards ceremony acknowledging their achievements. So far over 1,400 children, from Halifax to Vancouver, including several First Nations communities, have benefitted from this program.

For more information on child’s health and fitness, please visit SIRC.

Dance for Fitness

The debate on the athleticism, physical requirements and benefits of dancing is finally being put to rest and the sport is gaining much deserved respect. Generally an aerobic exercise, regular sessions of dancing can bring well known health benefits, such as:

• weight control
• flexibility
• strength
• endurance
• reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease
• a sense of psychological well-being

However, like any task done to the extreme, there are health risks that come with the demands of professional dancing, which can include:

• Sport injuries
• Repetitive strain injuries
• Stress associated with a higher than average risk of eating disorders and body image

There are as many types of danceas there are running shoes. From ballet, hip hop and swing to belly, Latin and country western, there is a dance for everyone. So turn on a favourite type of music and dance like no one is watching getting fit in the process.

For more information on dance, please visit  SIRC.

Forever Young

As we all get older, age starts to take a toll on our bodies. For most of us this is a pessimistic outlook that we do not want, therefore we need to take action. Quality of life is just as important as quantity, training is necessary for health and longevity.

Exercise suggestions:

• When going to the gym, a workout should not be focused on a specific area of the body. Most people that work out solely their arms or legs are not trying to improve the muscle’s function but rather how they look. It is okay to train for aesthetics, however as we age our bodies naturally lose strength and size (sarcopenia).  Therefore it is important to keep the whole body in mind, functioning as a well oiled machine.
• The most important thing to remember is not to train the muscle but rather to train the movement. Some ideal exercises include squats, over head presses and dead lifts. These may sound like hardcore power lifts, however it is not about how much weight is used but rather applying the proper technique.

• The average human spends 9 hours sitting a day. Overtime, this will take a toll on an individual’s posture. In order to help with hyperkyphosisor a rounded upper back, rowing type movements will strengthen the core. Having poor posture can also make you appear much older.
• As we age, along with poor posture, our muscles and joints tend to stiffen, reducing flexibility. The condition associated with muscle becoming worn is called osteoarthritis. This can affect our balance and ability to move smoothly. Contrary to popular belief, strength training and weight bearing exercise decreases, not increases, joint pain. Studies show that people suffering from arthritishave reduced knee pains after performing squats regularly.

Before walking through those gym doors it is important to set a workout plan that considers your medical needs. Personal trainers may come at a cost but they are highly qualified and can be very beneficial.     

Source from the SIRC Collection:

Dale, P. (2011) Anti-Aging Strategies. Ultra- fit. 21(6), 112- 113.

Fighting Fatigue

Fatigue seems simple: your body has reached its limit, you're tired.  The current understanding is that we feel exhausted because of physical factors. Not enough oxygen and fuel to the muscles and decreased blood flow to the brain means that your muscles are no longer able to generate power no matter how hard you try.  While this is true, it may not be the only factor in feeling fatigued.

A recent study shows that our perception of the effort involved of performing a task has a large influence on how we feel.  Everyone has experienced that feeling of having a "second wind" when the end of the race or top of the hill becomes visible and somehow we scrounge up enough energy to reach our goal.  This study examined the idea of how effort through exercise feels towards your brain instead of how tired our muscles feel. Turns out we become exhausted, not from something that is lacking in our bodies, but because it gets to feel too tough; the pain of continuing outweighs the reward for going on.

So, what can we do to train and adjust these perceptions?

• Get fitter - Being stronger and fitter will make everything feel easier; simple strength training can go a long way.
• Tea or Coffee? - Caffeine does enhance performance, mostly by stimulating the brain although there is a limit to what you can achieve from either beverage.
• Train with friends - Train with people who are around your fitness level, since struggling to keep up with your companions will make the workout feel harder and less enjoyable.
• Wear the right gear - The best clothes and gear will not make you any fitter, faster or stronger but if you are exercising outdoors, being warm and dry will reduce the perception of effort and may decrease your feelings of fatigue.
• Rest your brain - If you are reaching for high performance it's important to give your brain a rest.  If you are feeling tired and distracted you will probably find you give up easier and everything will feel tougher.
• Pace yourself - Pushing too hard too fast results in a quick burnout.  Keep yourself at a pace where your breathing is increased but you aren't gasping for breath.

If all else fails smile!  Maybe there really is some truth to the phrase "grin and bear it!"

References from the SIRC Collection: 

1. Ansley L, Petersen D, Thomas A, St. Clair Gibson A, Robson-Ansley P, Noakes T. The effect of breathing an ambient low-density, hyperoxic gas on the perceived effort of breathing and maximal performance of exercise in well-trained athletes. British Journal Of Sports Medicine. January 2007;41(1):2-7.
2. Fery Y, Ferry A, Vom Hope A, Rieu M. Effect of physical exhaustion on cognitive functioning. Perceptual & Motor Skills. February 1997;84(1):291-298.
3. Hutchinson J, Sherman T, Tenenbaum G, Martinovic N, Rosenfeld R. Perceived and sustained effort and task related affect: The mediating role of self-efficacy. Journal Of Sport & Exercise Psychology. July 2, 2007;29:S171-S172.
4. Morree H, Klein C, Marcora S. Perception of effort reflects central motor command during movement execution. Psychophysiology. September 2012;49(9):1242-1253.
5. Morree H, Marcora S. Frowning muscle activity and perception of effort during constant-workload cycling. European Journal Of Applied Physiology. May 2012;112(5):1967-1972.
6. Wallman K, Sacco P. Sense of Effort During a Fatiguing Exercise Protocol in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Research In Sports Medicine. January 2007;15(1):47-59.

Walk yourself to better health

Modern society has made life very accessible for humans. We do not have to chase down animals in order to eat, and we have the luxury of travelling from one point to the other without ever having to walk. We can all attest that we are very thankful of modern inventions, which have made our lives much easier. However, with transportation that is readily accessible, we have neglected to do the simple things that humans were meant to do, like walking.

Walking helps reduce the chance of contracting heart disease. It lowers blood pressure, enhances your wellbeing and increases your bone density. Walking is not a complicated activity. A simple daily brisk walk can help you live a healthier life.

A study released by Statistics Canada in 2007 concluded that 48% of Canadians ages 12 and older walked less than 30 minutes each day. The study also found that in the period of a week, 10.8 million Canadians spent less than an hour walking to school, work or to do errands.

Walking is probably one of the least expensive exercises out there. It is not as strenuous as running, but moderate walking when done for a longer period of time can have similar health benefits to running. Walking is also a great way to be introduced to exercising, since there is low impact on joints. People who walk on a regular basis are much healthier than sedentary people.

Most walkers use time to measure their exercise. New research has shown that the farther you walk or run, the more you reduce the risk of contracting chronic diseases.

Tips to getting more distance out of your walk workout:

•  Measure your distance and not the time (find routes where you can cover 3, 5, 8, or 10 kilometres) 
• Increase the distance you cover as you improve your fitness 
• Include one long walk and one speedier walk each week 
• Quicken speed to gradually cover more ground 
• Warm up, cool down and stretch 
• Wear proper shoes, breathable clothing and socks 

For those who do not enjoy or have time to run or hit the gym, walking is a great option. Though it might take you a while to walk enough in order to gain the same health advantages which come from running, the benefits attained from walking will go a long way towards improving your health when compared to a sedentary individual.

References from the SIRC Collection:

1. A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF ECONOMIC LITERATURE EVALUATING THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF WALKING. Acta Universitatis Palackianae Olomucensis. Gymnica. September 2010;40(3):123. 
2. Bashir Z. Walk Your Way to Good Health. Parks & Recreation. June 2013;48(6):32-33. 
3. Epping J. Dog Ownership and Dog Walking to Promote Physical Activity and Health in Patients. Current Sports Medicine Reports (American College Of Sports Medicine). July 2011;10(4):224-227. 
4. Johnson S, Boulé N, Bell G, Bell R. Walking: a matter of quantity and quality physical activity for type 2 diabetes management. Applied Physiology, Nutrition & Metabolism. August 2008;33(4):797-801. 
5. Kelly P, Murphy M, Oja P, Murtagh E, Foster C. Estimates of the number of people in England who attain or exceed vigorous intensity exercise by walking at 3 mph. Journal Of Sports Sciences. December 2011;29(15):1629-1634. 
6. Luthi W, Schnitzer C. Transform walking into the highlight of each day. Functional U. March 2006;4(2):1-6. 
7. Morgan A, Tobar D, Snyder L. Walking Toward a New Me: The Impact of Prescribed Walking 10,000 Steps/Day on Physical and Psychological Well-Being. Journal Of Physical Activity & Health. May 2010;7(3):299-307.

Physical Literacy

SIRC Newsletter now available online: Physical Literacy

Physical literacy is an extremely important aspect in youth development because it provides the fundamental movement skills needed to enjoy the wide range of physical activities that are available to us. Basic motor skills are the building blocks for more specialized movement skills and patterns that an athlete will need to reach greater levels of achievement. Recent studies show that youth who have high physical literacy levels have an increased confidence in their abilities, a greater likelihood of participating in sport, and have a higher tendency to remain active as they age.

Read more: http://www.sirc.ca/newsletters/september13/index.html 

Children less fit than their parents

Cardiovascular endurance exercise helps strengthen your heart so that it is able to transport oxygen to your organs and muscles. The heart is the most important muscle in the human body. With proper diet and regular exercise, cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease and stroke can be minimized.

A person’s heart health is a good indicator of their overall health. But are our children as healthy as their parents were at the same age? A recent study presented to the American Heart Association concluded that children today cannot run as fast or as far as their parents did at the same age. Running, in addition to improving our cardiovascular fitness, strengthens our muscles, bones and joints. Declining cardiovascular endurance may lead to significant health consequences as these children grow into adults.

The study analyzed 50 studies on running fitness between 1964 and 2010, measuring over 25 million children in 28 countries. Researchers concluded that children are on average 90 seconds slower in the mile, and that their cardiovascular fitness has decreased by 15% over that time.

The Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines recommend that children and youth should get at least one hour of moderate to vigorous exercise daily. If the habit of exercise is formed early, it can carry onto adulthood. In order to make it a habit, we should encourage our children and youth to:

• Limit screen time from the TV and computer 
• Walk the dog or walk to school 
• Ride the bike, skateboard or jog instead of getting a ride 
• Get involved with after school activities 
• Try a competitive sport (e.g., running, swimming, cross country skiing) 

To improve your cardiovascular endurance, try activities that elevate the heart rate for a sustain length of time such as walking, jogging, swimming, cycling or rowing. When starting such activities, start out slow then gradually increase the intensity over time.

In addition, cardiovascular exercise can help to enhance mental health, assist with weight control, and help prevent many diseases. When your heart is fit, it becomes efficient which not only supports you in carrying out daily chores without difficulty, but enables you to enjoy a healthier and happier quality of life.

References from the SIRC Collection:

1. Cardiovascular Responses in Endurance-Trained Children. Pediatric Exercise Science. May 2003;15(2):126.

2. Drenowatz C, Wartha O, Klenk J, Brandstetter S, Wabitsch M, Steinacker J. Differences in Health Behavior, Physical Fitness, and Cardiovascular Risk in Early, Average, and Late Mature Children. Pediatric Exercise Science. February 2013;25(1):69-83.

3. Is There a Scientific Rationale Supporting the Value of Exercise for the Present and Future Cardiovascular Health of Children? The Pro Argument. Pediatric Exercise Science. November 1996;8(4):294-302.

4. Kelly I, Phillips M, Revels M, Ujamaa D. Contribution of the School Environment to Physical Fitness in Children and Youth. Journal Of Physical Activity & Health. May 2010;7(3):333-342.

5. Marinković M, Miličević B. EFFECTS OF INTENSIVE STRENGTH TRAINING ON CARDIOVASCULAR ENDURANCE. / UTJECAJ INTENZIVNOG TRENINGA SNAGE NA KARDIOVASKULARNU IZDRŽLJIVOST. Sport Science. June 2010;3(1):32-36.

6. MARTINS C, SILVA F, GAYA A, AIRES L, RIBEIRO J, MOTA J. Cardiorespiratory fitness, fatness, and cardiovascular disease risk factors in children and adolescents from Porto. European Journal Of Sport Science. March 2010;10(2):121-127.