What is physical inactivity and what are its consequences? We will deal with this issue in more detail. Hypodynamia is a violation of the functioning of the human body in the form of a decrease in muscle tone, which is a consequence of limited motor activity.
The problem of modernity
Today, this problem is recognized throughout the sea as a “disease of civilization," and in the past few years, doctors have been sounding the alarm, because not only adults, but also children suffer from hypodynamia. This condition is not a disease, but leads to very dangerous consequences for a person, for example, obesity, hypertension, stroke, heart attack, etc.
Man has always sought to make his life easier. Thus, a variety of devices and devices have been created that can save time and physical effort, but this has led to the fact that the physical activity of people from year to year began to rapidly decline. This causes great damage to the body, because, as you know, movement is life. The effects of physical inactivity can be very serious.
Children suffer
The children's form is even more dangerous, since insufficient movement during active growth slows down development, disrupts the functioning of the vascular and muscular systems, and the development of intelligence, mental activity, and learning ability depend on this in many respects.
Restriction of physical activity negatively affects the state of all organs, causes mental disorders, depression, etc.
The effects of physical inactivity are discussed below.
Causes
Hypodynamia is the result of an improper lifestyle and thinking, and its main causes are considered to be:
- urbanization
- “Sedentary” professions, work at the computer;
- labor automation;
- application of technological achievements in everyday life;
- conscious refusal of activity.
All these factors are decisive in cases of limiting the necessary physical exertion, however, in most cases, physical inactivity occurs regardless of a person's desire. Such reasons include both social conditions, for example, when a person is forced to work in a sitting position, and physiological, for example, serious illnesses or injuries that do not allow a person to move a lot. However, even people who, due to the disease, cannot lead an active lifestyle, are shown maximum muscle activity, which prevents the development of many concomitant diseases.
Wrong lifestyle
The effects of physical inactivity in muscles in children are the result of improper organization of lifestyle and daily routine. The fault here lies primarily with the parents, since it is they who are responsible for the health and well-being of their child. In this case, each child is shown sports and daily walks in the fresh air.
Unfortunately, in the modern world, professions related to intellectual work have become more in demand, therefore, the upbringing and development of children today is more focused on education than on motor activity. Plus, almost all parents have their own car, which makes it easier for children to make it easier to get home from school.
In addition to living conditions and upbringing, the causes of childhood hypodynamia can also be factors such as birth trauma, perinatal hypoxia, as well as various infections, brain dysfunctions, pathologies of the development of the central nervous system, etc. The effects of physical inactivity are of interest to many.
What happens to the body?
A sedentary lifestyle provokes the development of numerous diseases of the motor apparatus, cardiovascular and nervous system. People who move a little notice severe fatigue at the end of the day, even if they spent the whole day in bed.
Physical activity is necessary so that the muscles are in good shape, the metabolism in the body occurs correctly, qualities such as endurance and stress resistance develop. In addition, with sufficient physical activity, immunity increases, which is directly related to the supply of sufficient oxygen to the body's tissues.
Diseases
The list of diseases that arise as a consequence of physical inactivity is huge. The main ones include:
- obesity;
- arterial hypertension;
- atherosclerosis;
- violation of posture and scoliosis;
- coronary heart and vascular disease;
- osteoporosis;
- respiratory diseases;
- depression, neurosis;
- endocrine disorders;
- stroke, heart attack.
A prolonged decrease in physical activity inevitably leads to atrophy of the muscle apparatus, and then to osteoporosis. Diseases that can occur in this case are treated quite difficult, and sometimes it happens that medicine is powerless in dealing with the effects of physical inactivity.
Signs of pathology
There are no specific symptoms of physical inactivity because this condition is not a disease. However, insufficient physical activity may occur as follows:
- A person feels constant weakness and fatigue.
- Decrease in intellectual abilities.
- Fast fatiguability.
- Violation of sleep patterns.
- Frequent changes in mood, irritability, tendency to nervous breakdowns.
- Change in appetite.
- Depression, violation of the emotional background.
These signs can characterize physical inactivity not only in adults, but also in children. You can add weight gain to them, as well as disruption of the digestive system, when a sedentary person can suffer from such phenomena as constipation, bile retention, hemorrhoids, etc.
Over time, a person begins to experience pain in muscles and joints, which indicates that a violation of the musculoskeletal system begins. As you can see, the effects of physical inactivity are extremely dangerous for the body.
Treatment
Any disease is much easier to prevent than subsequently fight it. In this case, the state of inactivity is not treated with medication, but with the help of specific measures to change the lifestyle and daily routine. Medicines are called upon to deal with the consequences of a sedentary lifestyle, which are associated with the occurrence of certain physical disorders and diseases.
In order to increase physical activity, it is not necessary to purchase expensive devices, attend gyms and spend a lot of time on this. These measures do not require any material costs and are available to everyone at any age. The main thing in this case is the desire to be healthy and have a good figure and appearance.
First of all, you need to abandon bad habits, such as smoking, overeating, computer games, and often spending time in front of the TV. The nature of the diet is extremely important, since too fatty foods saturated with carbohydrates cause weakness and a desire to rest. The diet must be balanced so that the food contains a large amount of vitamins and fiber. Such food does not cause heaviness in the stomach, is quickly digested and promotes energy.
It is important to know the main consequence of physical inactivity - changes in the muscles.
In cases where work activity involves limiting a person’s physical activity, it is necessary to organize a working day so that before and after work there is time to do physical exercises, for example, you can get up a little earlier and go for a run, and sign up for yoga or gymnastics courses in the evening. Even a simple evening walk will help maintain the body in a normal physical condition. For this, you can, for example, refuse to use transport and get from work on foot.
If you have dumbbells at home, then this is a great way to keep your muscles in good shape. You can do it even in the evening, watching your favorite TV show.
How to minimize the effects of hypokinesia and physical inactivity?
Doing sports as a method of solving a problem
A very positive way to get rid of the disease is swimming, which actively stimulates blood flow, involves all muscle groups, strengthens and tempers the body. It is especially useful to engage in swimming in childhood, as this is the only occupation that has no medical contraindications. The risk of injury while swimming is minimal.
Today, cycling is a very popular activity. By bicycle, you can get to the place of work, replacing them with a personal car, as well as make trips to recreation parks and participate in bike rides. This is very interesting because it helps a person to find friends and expand the circle of friends, and it is very useful, because while riding a bicycle muscles are strengthened, blood vessels are trained, and the respiratory system is actively working.
A positive change in muscle during training is noted. The consequences of inactivity will no longer manifest themselves.
For people who are obese, you can also choose a special program to combat immobility and overweight. Firstly, it is necessary to observe the diet, secondly, a person should have a desire to cope with his problem, and thirdly, the mandatory physical activity should be daily. You can alternate classes in the gym with walking or jogging.
In the case of involuntary physical inactivity, for example after surgery or during an illness, massage therapists and specialists in physical therapy classes can come to the rescue.
The causes and consequences of physical inactivity we examined.