Experts urge residents to carry on fitness challenge

Dubai - It is easy to keep your body fit - all you need is to 'keep moving'

As Dubai Fitness Challenge (DFC), the first-of-its-kind fitness movement launched by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, has come to an end, medical experts are encouraging residents to 'keep moving' and maintain their efforts for long-term health benefits.
Experts say that physically active adults are at lower risk for depression and declines in cognitive function as they get older. Cognitive function includes thinking, learning and judgment skills. Physically active children and teens may have fewer symptoms of depression than their peers.
Dr Nicandro Figueiredo, spinal neurosurgeon at Medcare Orthopedic and Spine Hospital, said: "It is easy to keep your body fit - all you need is to 'keep moving'. Movement - in other words, exercise - not only powers our bones, muscles and joints, but also prevents orthopaedic problems like back and leg pain. It also keeps the heart, lungs and brain healthy. However, not everyone can take up vigorous exercise regimens, which is why each of us needs to take up the fitness challenge in our own way.
"The short-cut to achieving optimal physical activity involves 40 minutes of brisk walking every day. This is the simplest weight-bearing exercise one can do, as the body carries its own weight while walking. We all need to keep ourselves motivated and continue our efforts even after the fitness challenge ends."
Talking about the harm people cause to their bones by sitting for long hours, another specialist orthopaedic surgeon Dr Mohsin-e-Azam told Khaleej Times: "Prolonged sitting adversely affects our health and staying indoors causes a lack of Vitamin D, which is essential for bone health. The DFC was an excellent initiative to make people kick-start their journey towards a healthy mind and body. It is now most important to continue what we started."
Giving suggestions for working professionals stuck to their desks, he said: "Incorporating exercise into our routine is the most important change that we should make."
Talking about healthy eats, pharmacist, clinical dietitian and nutritionist Racha Sankar said: "Healthy lifestyle is a combination of your favourite exercise and healthy eating behaviours. Having three main meals with moderate portions, considering fibre intake, drinking sufficient amount of water, working out different parts of the body are points we should practise to improve our health scores."
Alisha Moopen, CEO, Medcare Hospitals and Clinics, Dubai, said: "It was amazing to see people - even children - actively and willingly take part in the fitness challenge events. We are certain that this will make Dubai an even more, healthier and happier city."
saman@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE
• Dubai Fitness Challenge