The Heart of the Matter

First of all dear reader, if we happen to mention that word 'exercise' rather too often for your liking, then we're not sorry at all. But in reality it needn't have all the connotations that harsh PE sports programmes may have inflicted on you in the past. In our view exercise for the average student is Moderate Activity designed to stimulate the heart into action. By regularly working the heart at what we have frequently referred to as the 'working Heart rate' you can effectively improve your body's circulatory efficiency in as little time as three months (see graph)

Regular activity of your own design (we have designs on you!) should be part of your weekly timetable.

You Haven't Got Time..... You only think you haven't. We have observed students in the library sitting and gazing into space for half an hour having slaved over books for the previous 2-3-4 hours.

Concentration spans of over an hour or so are unusual. . . and if those star/ceiling gazers had used their half hour to do 20 minutes of moderate activity they might have found that the work would have come more easily So take a break . . . get the habit . . . you will feel better . . . . what better justification is there?

Classes in Action Now

Squash for beginners	Monday 2—4
Badminton for beginners	Tuesday 10—11
Badminton for beginners	Friday 10—11
Badminton for beginners	Friday 11—12
Fitness	Thurs. 5.30-6.30

Training Advice

A hot environment and water balance.

Some people feel they should drink as little as possible when working or when it is very hot because, "if you drink just a little, you perspire less". However, studies have shown that sweat production is rather independent of the body's fluid balance. Moreover, sweating is the mechanism which prevents overheating of the body when it is warm or when heavy work is performed. Therefore, under such conditions sweating is very desirable.

If fluid is not replaced at the same rate it is lost, performance capacity and fitness decline and the feeling of exertion increases. Heart rate and body temperature rise abnormally. Thus you should drink deliberately, possibly even more than thirst "orders" when you sweat. But you should not drink too much at a time nor drink very cold drinks.