Prevention for Month: Promoting Healthy Choices
    Many of you may have heard/seen the news reports recently about the two articles in JAMA that have been said to show that daily activity is as good as structured exercise in maintaining overall health and fitness. These are important publications, however, the findings are not revolutionary. They are confirming reports of information that has been available for the last 50 years from the Framingham Heart Study. Also, these studies bring to the forefront the same concepts that were the major emphasis of the Surgeon General's Report on Activity and Health in the summer of 1996. Unfortunately, the media did not cover this momentous report very well. The report contained two important concepts: 1) Daily moderate activity for at least 20 minutes will provide lifetime health benefits and reduce the risks of cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, and certain types of cancer, 2) Those individuals not engaging in moderate daily activity are at a much greater risk and will suffer some reduction in health during their lifetime. These two points could be phrased as, "If you participate you will reap rewards, if you don't, the grim reaper will be rewarded."

How Healthy are You?
    This study is ongoing. Scientists at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory at the University of California want you to participate in their National Health Study without ever leaving your desk. Go to http://www.healthsurvey.org to find out for yourself.

Check out the ASU Employee Wellness Program web page! There are a number of neat sites that have been reviewed for your use. Are you too busy to exercise? Try this site: http://www.physsportsmed.com/issues/1998/08aug/busy.htm

Hunter/Gatherers for Health and Heart . . . and Mind
    As mentioned above, moderate daily activity provides a number of health related benefits. What is moderate activity? What type of benefits might you expect? Will you live longer? Read on.
    After the fitness craze in the 70's, and the concept of 'train to compete' that grew out of the early fitness movement, a refreshing return to the basic human activities for a lifetime of health and fitness is back in the forefront. Most humans are not made to train or compete like our nation's college and elite athletes. In fact, many of us have tried to get fit by using the same techniques and regimens as an athlete or other 'popular' person. The fact is that most humans were made to be the 'hunter/gatherer' where moderate physical activity is a way of life. These are important concepts! First, you don't have to train like an athlete to obtain health related benefits from activity. Second, training like an athlete can possibly lead to injury or burnout and the inability to be active. Third, and most important, moderate daily activity can be a way of living that will help you obtain many health related benefits.
    Moderate physical activity is activity that will raise your heart rate above 50% of your maximal heart rate. Each individual is different but an easy estimate for figuring your maximal heart rate is to take 220-your age. The only way to truly know is to perform a maximal exercise test. These activities include but are not limited to: walking briskly, gardening/household activity, swimming. These three activities include nearly all of the body motions that humans do. Along with your daily planned activity, there are other ways to increase your activity level: use the stairs, park farther away from your destination, push your lawnmower, do not sit for more than 20 minutes at a time, turn off the television, use a rake on those leaves and then bag them up, etc . . . Remember, some activity is better than no activity - regardless of the intensity you are able to do.
    What type of benefits might you expect? The health related benefits of regular activity and exercise include: prevention of heart disease and stroke by improving blood flow to all areas of the body, improving heart function, helping to 1) maintain healthy cholesterol levels and 2) reduce high blood pressure and excessive body fat, and finally helping to control and prevent adult-onset diabetes. With proper nutrition, activity helps to control body weight and prevent obesity (which is a risk factor for many diseases). Bone loss and osteoporosis can be limited by regular weight bearing activity. Back pain can be prevented and even eliminated in some people as the back's strength, flexibility and endurance are improved. Self-esteem, energy, and moods can all be improved. And most important, stress can be decreased with regular daily activity.
    Will you live longer if you are regularly active? Even though we are all assigned a time to die, solid evidence is accumulating that shows people who are regularly active have less illness, live a higher quality of life until death, and more recently, may even live a few years longer. If you don't really care how long you live, think about what type of life you would like to live.
    Do you value your independence? Do you enjoy your children or grandchildren? Are you doing things right now that put you at risk for a disease that could take away your ability to remain independent and to care for yourself? Are there things you could change that would allow you to live a higher quality life and enjoy your loved ones for a longer time? It is always the right time to take your health into your hands.

New exercise programs for all employees!!
    Remember the Low-impact Aerobics and Weight control class offered by Debbie and Rena in the Armory from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. every T & Th night. Call 2054 for more info.
    Tae-Bo aerobic exercise every Monday and Thursday from 5:30 to 6:30 in the Dance/Aerobic room of the HPER complex (3^rd floor). The beginning level is being used right now.
    Karate Club. Dr. Jerry Farris is offering his 25 years of karate teaching experience to the ASU community. He teaches a very traditional form that has a major emphasis on body biomechanics, posture, breathing, and movement. Learn the history, kihon, kumite, and kata, of this traditional martial art. The emphasis will be on technique, conditioning, and control - there will be no sparing at this time. This is a great way to get in shape, learn great body control and balance, and relieve tons of stress. The club will meet initially at the same time and place as the Tae-Bo exercise class mentioned above. Call Dr. Jerry Farris at x-2570 for more info or e-mail him at jfarris@navajo.
    Walkabout In just six weeks you can improve your fitness and have fun as you walk your way around Australia while you learn about the great Land Down Under (Sorry, we don't get to leave Arkansas). This is planned to begin in late March to early April (sooner if weather permits). Individuals and groups are encouraged to participate. E-mail Dr. Jim Farris at jfarris@crow if you are interested. More info to come later. G'day.

FOCUS ON HEALTH Radio Show
    Tune-in for these shows on FOCUS ON HEALTH every Wed. night at 6:30 on KASU-FM 91.9

Feb. 17 Asthma with Dr. Hornbeck

Feb. 24 The Church and Health with Pastor Jerry Jolly.

Mar. 3 Aids In America with David Eubanks.

Mar. 10 Herbs and other nutritional products as dietary supplement with Dr. Dosha Cummins.

ASU Faculty and Staff caught in the act of regular activity
    Something good is happening. The following affective qualities have been observed lately in the Employee Wellness Program: advocate, assist, dedicate, develop, stimulate, urge, aspire, attain, enjoy, engage, motivate, surpass, and uphold to name a few.
Here's the crew:
Ed Bennett, Alta Burns, Rich Carvell, Greg Coldwell, Kim Collins, Sue Collins, Laura Cremeens, Mike Doyle, Renee Emerson, Lillie Fears, David Feldman, Ross Foster, Amy Fowler-Horne, Rosemary Freer, Joel Gambill, Johnni Huckabee, Gail Hudson, Paula James, Glen Jones, Zach Lawhon, Steve Lesh, Andrea Massie, Sharon McDaniel, Cristi Milam, Larry Olson, Bill Payne, Melodie Philhours, John Ponder, Tina Quinn, Ann Ross, Russ Shain, Herman Strickland, Valerie Shelton, Jennette Spencer, Lois Travis, Carolyn Tyree, Sharon Webb, Dennis White, Emelda Williams, and Jackie Wright.
    It's a pleasure to work with these folks. The best part is that they keep coming back for personal gains without any other reward. Good job!