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Walking, sports and even gardening could trigger osteoarthritis – the learned PhD went on to conclude.
The common sense rebuttal was as compelling as it was forthright “We have known for years that certain high impact sports and jobs are associated with an increased risk of osteoarthritis ...but for the vast majority of people exercise is good...it’s a matter of balance and sensible moderation .....The risk of developing osteoarthritis as a result of too much exercise is outweighed by the risk of being overweight and sedentary.”
Job done, the response came from ‘a spokesperson for the Arthritis Research Campaign’.
As I read this two things struck me:
- I am so sick of reading shock-horror claims, based on some spurious research, from a thesis-writing-publicity-hungry ‘expert’, based on counter-intuitive thinking ... such as exercise is bad for you..... Exercise has no effect on obese children..... Leisure centres should be banned from offering chips (even though they also offer lots of fruit & veg choices and their customers would just go down the road to buy their chips anyway!)
- Why do the media give these guys airtime/column inches?
I guess it’s the price we pay for democracy.
However, what was particularly pleasing about this article was that the rebuttal did not come from someone in our sector (and therefore be dismissed with the ‘well, you would say that wouldn’t you’ claim), but from a third party expert.
If ever I needed proof that we have to point our CMO at all the Royal Colleges and disease NGOs to ensure that they promote the benefits of exercise on our behalf, this was it. So John (Searle, our Chief Medical Officer), get on your bike and keep pedalling until all our ‘strategic partners’ do as good a job as the Arthritis Research Campaign.
The strongest and most compelling cases are often the case studies and real life changing stories that are common place in our industry. So with New Year approaching and the inevitable press backlash at all things fitness, please send in your stories and help your governing body drive forward the Fitness industry as the most important part of the UK’s health agenda.
David Stalker
Executive Director
Fitness Industry Association
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ReplyDeleteDavid, if you want feel good stories to support our industry CK Academy have a few hundred of them. We design and deliver lifestyle modification programmes commissioned by PCT's to patients referred by their GP's with varying medical conditions, including Arthritis.
ReplyDeleteIn the last 8 months our programmes have been heavily monitored and independantly evaluated against key criteria. As well as showing a significant decrease in weight and waist circumference, we have also seen a marked improvement in mood, functionality and quality of daily living. Those individuals referred to us with Arthritis have experienced a decrease in pain and are now more mobile and active then ever before. CK Academy constantly receive letters of thanks from those who have taken part, informing us that they can now do daily activities that they were unable to do before and actually ENJOY, yes ENJOY exercise! Who would have thought it???
The Fitness Industry is perfectly placed to assist with the UK's health agenda, with so many pationate and dedicated professionals within it! Of course, there are challenges with bringing these two sectors together but is that a reason not to do it?
CK Academy have faced many challenges along the way but we only have to look at the results of our programmes and read the letters of thanks to know that our industry categorically plays such an integral part in improving the health of our nation!
Nichola Curran
Technical Director
CK Academy