Whatever sport you choose, getting exercise is critically important

By Cody Gochnour

December 18, 2007 | The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, recommend that everyone get 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise five days a week. Some daily activities such as lawn mowing, walking to work or taking the stairs can meet this recommendation, but sometimes it isn't so easy. When your daily routine isn't meeting the minimum, getting involved in a sport can help. Team sports are especially good for those who struggle with motivation.

"It's easy to say 'no' to yourself," said USU Professor Dr. Richard Gordin, "but it's harder to say 'no' to a group of people that are depending on you."

However, Gordin said, "most people go into the individual fitness stuff." Those people have plenty of opportunities in Cache Valley. The surrounding mountains provide plenty of opportunities to be active from snowshoeing and skiing to hiking and canoeing. USU's Outdoor Recreation Center provides rental equipment for anyone wishing to enjoy what the area has to offer.

Opportunities for those looking to "channel that competitive energy," as Gordin put it, may not be as obvious, but there are many around the valley for those who look. Logan City's Parks and Recreation department provides several adult sports, as does USA Sports. There are also several golf courses in the valley.

The University has many intramural and club sports, but most are only available to students. However, the men's rugby club does make an exception. Another source of athletic opportunities for adults is church ball. Latter-day Saint stakes provide venues for wards to compete in basketball, volleyball and softball.

However we get our exercise it is critically important that we get it. "Physical activity is the No. 1 risk factor for coronary heart disease... the number one killer of seniors," said USU Professor John Kras. He said that the CDC had just declared obesity an epidemic. Kras did say that there is no evidence that physical activity helps us live longer but, in his words, "Do we live a higher quality of life? Unequivocally, yes."

"I enjoy enjoy just being outdoors," said Amanda Miller, a recent graduate of Utah State. Miller said that she enjoys sand volleyball. "I use it as a way to relax."

Gordin explained that people who are physically active are less anxious and less depressed, have a better outlook and generally feel better. "It just feels good to be active," he said. "If I enjoy doing it... and I feel good about it, it's helping me. I try not to associate that with my score."

Gordin warned against becoming over-involved in sports. He described problems such as "sports-only identification" where one's self worth is based on their performance; "hyper competiveness" wherein the focus on winning destroys the fun of sport participation; and "negative addiction" when a person may start missing work to workout.

Kras warned of the dangers of "young mind, old body," which may cause a person to think they can do more than their body can handle. He advised that those who have not been active for a while should start out slowly when beginning a new routine.

"We really need the younger generation to be more active, right now, than they are," said Kras, "but lead by example."

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