The Medical Director of the Federal Medical Center (FMC), Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, Professor Adewale Musa-Olomu, has encouraged Nigerians to engage in various forms of exercise to improve their health by reducing the prevalence of cardiovascular and other life-threatening diseases.
He made this statement on Saturday during a walk organized by the hospital’s Aerobic Group to mark the 2024 World Walking Day, aimed at promoting good health.
Musa-Olomu, represented by the Head of Clinical Services at FMC, Dr. Adekunle Adediran, urged both young and old to embrace walking for at least 150 minutes a week, as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The MD noted that regular walking offers numerous benefits for maintaining good health and encouraged everyone to engage in the exercise.
He said, “Walking or other forms of exercise engage practically all the muscles in the body, especially the large muscles of the lower limbs. When exercised regularly, these muscles become stronger and firmer, and the joints are better lubricated and more flexible.
“The heart muscle is a large muscle that pumps blood about 70 times a minute throughout a person’s life. This muscle is also exercised when you walk briskly or jog. The more you exercise the heart, the better it performs, reducing the likelihood of failure.
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“Walking and other forms of exercise reduce cardiovascular diseases like stroke, hypertension, and heart attacks. It also improves digestion and nutrient absorption.
“Common conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, and various forms of cancer are significantly reduced with regular exercise,” Prof. Musa-Olomu added.
Similarly, the Head of the Physiotherapy Department at the hospital, Dr. Rahman Lateef, said that World Walking Day was initiated by the Association for International Sport for All to reduce the number of inactive people by 30% by 2030.
He also emphasized that walking is the simplest and easiest form of exercise.
The medical doctor added, “If you engage in walking as a form of exercise for a sufficient amount of time, it will help transition from a sedentary to an active lifestyle. The WHO recommends 150 minutes of exercise per week.”
