It's Your Life - Exercise for All Ages

This book explains:

1 Why you should bother to exercise and the advantages of walking in reducing heart disease, cancer and death.

2 How to start exercising and choose the correct exercise/sport; the calories used in different exercises/sports are also provided.

3 Whether the gym is for you and outlines alternative types of exercise.

4 Uniquely, the effects of each type of exercise in terms of joint damage and cardiovascular function.

5 Finally, optimal exercises for different ages and exercising for avoiding frailty in old age.



Professor Norman Ratcliffe is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine and has published over 200 books and research papers on immunology, cancer, influenza, tropical diseases and MRSA. Five years ago Professor Ratcliffe decided to produce a comprehensive but easily accessible book on health and fitness to help people of all different ages lead more healthy and fulfilling lives; the result of this five year project is the 'It's Your Life' series of books. There are six books in the series; five of these offer advice in specific areas, whilst the sixth - It's Your Life: End the confusion from inconsistent health advice - includes all of the advice given in the rest of the series.



Contents

Chapter 1: Exercise - Basic Introduction

why bother?

advantages of regular exercise

how walking can reduce death rates, cancer and heart disease



Chapter 2: Exercise - For Gym Lovers

to gym or not to gym?

choice of gym

value of a gym buddy

how to get started

programme for gym

aerobics and weights

pointers for gym people



Chapter 3: Exercise - For Gym Haters

alternative types of exercise

table of calories used in exercises

table of exercise times required to burn calories from snacks

sensible way to begin exercise

individual and team sports

housework and sex

exercise for lazy, stressed or hectic people

exercise at different ages

avoidance of muscle wasting/sarcopenia