Sports every day: health or addiction?

Regular exercise helps improve physical and mental health. However, so that this does not lead to counterproductive results, it is important not to miss the moment when sport begins to dominate a person’s life.

Alarm bells on the path to addiction are, in particular, a distorted image of one’s own figure, excessive and uncontrolled exercise, a constant desire to look at oneself in the mirror, comparing one’s external data with other people, low self-esteem and self-esteem. loneliness and disappointment. People who become addicted to sports often isolate themselves from loved ones, get injured during training, have a disproportionate physique, follow a strict protein-carbohydrate diet, often use anabolic steroids and steroids, regardless of their cost, etc.

Ideal frequency of exercise

As a general rule, it is recommended to spend an average of 30 minutes a day doing moderate exercise, be it walking, cycling, swimming, etc. If you are aiming for something more advanced with your exercise regimen, it is most advisable to take the advice of an experienced trainer who will suggest a schedule and frequency according to the goals you want to achieve.

Training intensity

When playing any sport, it is also important to regulate the intensity of training based on the person’s level of physical fitness and health characteristics (for example, previous injuries, knee pain, etc.). The American Heart Association recommends taking your heart rate into account depending on different exercise intensities.

It is considered moderate intensity when the heart rate is between 50 and 70% of the athlete's maximum heart rate, while 70 to 85% of the athlete's maximum heart rate is considered high intensity.

Low intensity includes walking, taking a bath, everyday and natural activities, that is, any physical activity that does not involve increased breathing.

Examples of moderate-intensity exercise include brisk walking, cycling, dancing, and leisurely swimming. High-intensity sports include any sport that involves rapid heart rate, rapid breathing, or sweating, such as football, basketball, running at high speeds or long distances.