Despite the importance of adhering to the social protocols to prevent the transmission of COVID-19, all is not lost when it comes to engaging in physical activity. Albeit competitive and recreational team sport has been restricted -save for exemption for all national team training and certain events-, persons can still engage in individual physical activities such as running, walking, cycling and swimming.
During this pandemic period running can take place while adhering to all the social protocols to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. The very nature of the activity allows for social distancing and wearing of masks.
Running offers several benefits to health enthusiasts, recreational and professional runners:
· Helps in Weight Lost - the continuous movement of the body even at a slow pace over a period of time results in the burning of calories. Running 1 mile (1600 metres) burns 100 calories. Exercise must be accompanied by a balanced diet in order to realise its full effects.
· Improves Immunity - According to Nieman and Wentz (2019), ‘running can improve the body’s surveillance against disease, lower inflammation, enhance got microbiota composition, reduce risk of upper respiratory infections and influenza, and improve antibody response”. Nieman and Wentz (2019) however, cautioned that extreme exercise can lower one’s immunity.
· Positive Impact on Mental Health and Depression - social distancing measures have contributed to an increase in mental issues and depression across all demographics. In addition to its physical benefits, running offer individuals the opportunity to experience positive emotions, mood and energies. The release of endorphins after running whether in the morning or afternoon tend exude a walking on air feeling which is positively therapeutic. The overall upshot of running is that that contributes to enhancing self-esteem and can be a measure of self-actualisation through meeting and surpassing running goals. Such benefits tend to be contagious in other areas of life.
· Lowers Risk of Diabetes and Pre-Diabetes - in observance of World Obesity Day (October 11, 2018), CARPHA stated that Caribbean women are three times likely to obese than men and also have higher rates of abdominal obesity. Obesity increases the risk of developing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension, diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
According to the American Diabetes Association, exercise inclusive of running can result in the prevention or reduce Type 2 diabetes as well as be beneficial to persons with Type 1 diabetes. Additionally, in addition to strict dietary measures, running and exercise can prevent persons with pre-diabetes from becoming Type 2 diabetics.
· Lowers Blood Pressure- running as with other exercise has the potential to serve as a non-drug means of lowering blood pressure.
It is evident from the aforementioned that physical activity in the form of running offers physiological, psychological, and emotional benefits which are critical to an overall healthy lifestyle when combined with a balanced diet.
So, whether it’s the recreational ground in the community, the Queen’s Park Savannah, Chaguaramas golf course, the Bamboo Cathedral trail, along the beaches at Pigeon Point and Store Bay or outside the Ato Boldon Stadium/National Cricket Centre course where I am part of a physically active community or any part of the country, continue or take up the opportunity and challenge to keep physically active and reap the numerous associated benefits of running/walking/cycling. And this must be done in the context of the COVID-19 social protocols.