Exercise, The Bedrock Of Sound Health

Every morning, Tunde stood at the hostel gate, phone in hand, always waiting for a ride.

Lecture hall? A taxi

Faculty building? A taxi

Cafeteria? A taxi 

Even a five-minute walk felt like stress he could avoid.

Why should I trek when tricycles and cars exist? 

His friend, Sola never found it funny. "You know this lifestyle isn't healthy" Sola would say, "at least walk sometimes, this body needs movement".

Tunde always laughed it off. "I'll start after this semester. School stress is enough exercise on its own", he replied.

Weeks rolled into months, and Tunde's body adjusted to stillness rather than movement. He gained weight quite fast, felt breathless from merely climbing stairs, and ignored occasional chest discomfort. Exercise to him was just for athletes, not for university students who have so many lectures, tests, and deadlines.

Then it happened one afternoon. The pain came suddenly as usual but this time, it refused to leave and instead got worse. Hospital visits replaced lectures, and lots of medical tests took the place of textbooks. The doctor's words hit him hard. "The test results show that it's a condition worsened by prolonged physical inactivity. It may require surgery, and indeed an expensive one" said the doctor.

 A case that would have been prevented by simple daily exercises would now demand weeks of recovery and cost far beyond what he ever imagined. As he lay in bed, Tunde remembered Sola's words he had never listened to. The body he had never had time to exercise had finally forced him to stop everything. 

According to Edward Stanley, "Those who think they have no time for exercise will sooner or later have to find time for illness". This quote explains Tunde's case in a more detailed manner. Tunde's story is much more common amongst university students than you'd think. As a matter of fact, beyond just university students, many choose convenience over movement, dismissing exercise. Some are simply enjoying financial buoyancy, in many cases seeing a lack of casual exercise as nothing to worry about.

It is important to note that exercise plays a crucial role in maintaining both physical and mental health, especially for university students who often live sedentary lifestyles. Long hours spent sitting in lecture halls, libraries, and hostels often translate into a lack of physical activity.

Down the line, this eventually tends to increase the risk of weight gain, easy fatigue, and chronic diseases. Regular exercise improves blood circulation, strengthens muscles, and enhances overall body function.

John F. Kennedy further quoted that "Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body but also the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity.

Regular exercise is essential for overall health and well-being and here are some key benefits of regular exercise:

- Physical activity burns out fat and helps in managing weight effectively. Activities such as climbing stairs or doing any household chores are very beneficial in weight management.

- Exercise stimulates brain chemicals that foster happiness, relaxation, and reduce anxiety. It maintains one's shape, boosts self-esteem, and confidence.

- Regular exercise enhances muscle strength and endurance by delivering more oxygen and nutrients to the body tissues and improving the efficiency of the cardiovascular system.

- Consistent exercises can help you sleep better, deeper, and more restfully [provided you don't exercise too close to your bedtime]

- Regular exercise offers a chance to unwind, enjoy the outdoors, and connect with people in a fun social setting. Also, activities like dance class, hiking, yoga, or joining a sports team can make fitness enjoyable.

Beyond physical benefits, exercise supports mental well-being, reduces stress levels, and improves concentration. This makes exercise not just a health activity but a tool used for academic success. Physical inactivity is a silent threat among students, which can lead to obesity, weakened immunity, and musculoskeletal pain. Over time, these conditions may worsen, requiring medical intervention, sometimes in emergency settings, and often at high financial and emotional cost.

The US Department of Health and Human Services recommends a target of 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity each week. Activities like walking, cycling, or swimming are moderate intensity, while running or fitness classes are considered vigorous activity. Improvement in regular exercise must be taken more seriously. It would be a good start to have exercise programs such as Keep Fit once or twice per semester in halls of residence and departments. Enhancement and awareness for such programs should be made so that more students learn healthier lifestyles.

In conclusion, exercise is not a distraction from academic life, it is a foundation for it. As seen in Tunde's story, neglecting physical activity can have serious consequences that may extend beyond health to finances and academics. University life is a critical period to build healthy habits that will last a lifetime. I wrap it up with Carol Welch's statement, "Movement is a medicine that creates a change in a person's physical, emotional, and mental state". Ensure you exercise well.

Adeitan Faith Ayomikun