Lifestyle Factors

Why do we need to consider

lifestyle factors?
• Lifestyle factors affect our fitness
levels
• These factors need to be considered
if we are to perform to the best of
our ability
• Understanding the factors and how if
affects performance is vital –
increase in quality of life and (in
some cases) life-span
• Avoiding a lifestyle that increases
possibility of ill-health or injury is
 Stress
• An emotional response to situations we
experience
• Related to health problems such as heart
disease, high blood pressure and lowered
efficiency of immune system
• Body needs time to relax from day-to-day
• Exercise is beneficial to relieve stress and
health related illnesses
Q. When have you been stressed and why?
Q. What were your symptoms of stress?
Q. How did you deal with it? What action did
you take?
 Alcohol
• Short-term effects – dizziness, loss of
motor control, reduced ability to make
decisions, reduced perception of
movement
• Long-term effects – breathlessness,
swelling of legs, muscular fatigue, increase
in body weight, joint problems, liver
damage and heart failure (extreme cases)
 Smoking
• Aerobic fitness can be reduced between 5
and 10% due to smoking
• Carbon monoxide entering the body takes
space from oxygen in the blood
• Less oxygen available during exercise
• Increases risk of cancer, heart disease and
respiratory disease
 Drugs
• Drug abuse can reduce fitness levels
• Banned substances (e.g. Steroids)
are used to increase capabilities for
training and rapid recovery between
exercise sessions
• Harmful activities include: smoking,
alcohol and recreational drugs (e.g.
marajana)
 Sleep Patterns
• May vary due to pattern of training, or
external demands such as family and work
• At least 8 hours is recommended per
night/day for younger people
• If training intensity is high, increased sleep
may be required
• If sleep is not balanced with work, then
positive effects of training will not be seen
 Work Demands
• Work hours have increased in
modern society – time to relax or
take part in non-work activities has
decreased
• Stress levels have therefore risen –
more instances of stress related
diseases (e.g. high blood pressure)
 Medical History
• Fitness levels are inherited partly
from our parents, as are some of the
health-related problems that may be
experienced through the years
• Training can increase levels of fitness
but only to the capacity that has
been passed down from generation
to generation – Is this true? Discuss
 Level of Activity
• The more active you are – the greater
level of fitness you will possess
• Non-active lifestyles are related to many
diseases such as obesity, heart disease,
high blood pressure and joint/bone
problems
• Increased active lifestyle = Increased
quality of life!
 Diet and Weight
• Healthy diet will ensure a balance
between the nutrient value that you
consume and energy that you use for
muscular activity
• If there is an imbalance: less food
and more exercise = weight loss;
more food and less exercise =
weight gain
 Gender
• Fitness of males and females differs
due to the structures of their bodies
• These differences are most
noticeable after puberty
• The two genders are psychologically
different – high drop out rate in
physical activity of females aged
between 16-21
• This may be due to career ,
relationship and financial pressures
 Culture
• Exercise may be seen as a lower
priority for some people due to
career and family pressures
 Sports Participation
• Participation in competition and sport
activities can overtake the
importance of maintaining fitness
levels
• Too many competitions hinder fitness
levels and stress the body without
providing adequate recovery