1. Health promotion and maintenance

• Exercise is necessary for wellness: it conditions the body; maintains fitness; restores body to a

maximum state of health; brings benefits to vital body systems (see box 38-5 below).

Box 38-5 Effects of Exercise

Cardiovascular System

• Increased cardiac output

• Improved myocardial contraction, thereby strengthening cardiac muscle

• Decreased resting heart rate

• Improved venous return

Pulmonary System

• Increased respiratory rate and depth followed by a quicker return to resting state

• Improved alveolar ventilation

• Decreased work of breathing

• Improved diaphragmatic excursion

Metabolic System

• Increased basal metabolic rate

• Increased use of glucose and fatty acids

• Increased triglyceride breakdown

• Increased gastric motility

• Increased production of body heat

Musculoskeletal System

• Improved muscle tone

• Increased joint mobility

• Improved muscle tolerance to physical exercise

• Possible increase in muscle mass

• Reduced bone loss

Activity Tolerance

• Improved tolerance

• Decreased fatigue

Psychosocial Factors

• Improved tolerance to stress

• Reports of “feeling better”

• Reports of decrease in illness (e.g., colds, influenza)

• A sedentary lifestyle contributes to the development of health-related problems

o For example, Physical inactivity is a modifiable risk factor for the development of type 2

diabetes.

• Every person must have a plan of activities and exercise that enhances his physical fitness

o The patient has to take ownership of the program of exercise

• First, the person needs to calculate their target heart rate:

o 1. Calculate the maximum heart rate:

▪ Max HR = 220 – (age of person)

o 2. Calculate target heart rate

▪ Between 60% and 90% of Max HR