The concept of Quality Of Life (QOL) was introduced in the 1970’s. A formal definition of QOL by the World Health Organisation includes:
“a person’s physical health, psychological state, level of independence, social relationships and their relationship to important features of their environment” (WHO 1998).
Health-related QOL translates to physical well-being and physical fitness and physically active lifestyle provides feelings of energy, well-being and improved quality of life. Quality of Life is improved and maintained through regular exercise and physical activity by reducing the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and cancer (e.g., colon and breast cancers). Regular exercise will also lower blood pressure, improve the body’s utilisation of glucose and assist in weight loss and management. It’s a magic pill but it has to be regular, it has to be achievable and it has to suit the individual for maximum benefits.
Physical fitness is made up of 5 main components including cardio respiratory fitness, muscular strength and endurance, body composition, flexibility, and neuro-motor fitness all impacting on overall health. Regular physical activity and exercise have shown to prevent, protect and improve symptoms of mild to moderate depressive disorders and anxiety. And for older adults, exercise preserves bone density and muscle mass providing strength and stability, reducing risk of falling (Nelson et al. 2007).
Evidence-based physical activity individualised exercise prescriptions currently stand as the most effective way to improve fitness, health and therefore improve QOL. While we’re all basically all the same (human), the thing is, we’re all individual. We have different physical needs, abilities and physical capacity. Our bodies process everything in our own individual way. We need physical activity programs that improve our QOL not add stress, cause injury, deplete the bank account, take up time, or require lots of travel or fancy clothes and equipment. It does however have to be fun, engaging, something we enjoy, at our level, time efficient, progressive. If we’re connecting with people its even better.
Group classes can be fun and motivating and if your go regularly you can change your shape and really improve your fitness which are all essential ingredients for maintaining enough physical activity. These programs work for many however not everyone likes the gym, likes the music, or feels comfortable in a large group setting. While good group class coaches will modify the exercises to accommodate different abilities and skill level, once the music starts and the energy in the room increases its hard to monitor the level of intensity and quality of movement. So its good to know all the options of how YOU can get your daily dose of exercise in for your own QOL.
Every government health body from The American college of Sports Medicine to The Australian Institute of Health and Well-being state that all-cause mortality, which refers to all deaths form a cause, is delayed by regularly engagement in physical activity (Garber et al. 2011). So if its living a great life your after, staying alive and being FIT and HEALTHY is key. Even if at this stage you are increasing your physical activity levels from a very low base, from a sedentary existence, the experts all agree: Its never too late to start and any exercise is better then none.
Garber et al. 2011 Official Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine MEDICINE & SCIENCE IN SPORTS & EXERCISE
Nelson ME et al. 2007 Physical activity and public health in older adults: recommendation from the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Heart Association. Med Sci Sports Exerc;39(8):1435–45.
US Department of Health and Human Services (2008) Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee Report, 2008 Washington ODPHP Publication No. U0049. 2008 [cited 2010 Sep 24]. 683 p.
Australian Institute Health and well-being 2018
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