Physical Activity: Benefits, Prevention, and First Aid
Benefits of Regular Physical Activity
Regular moderate physical activity offers numerous benefits, including:
- Prevention of diabetes
- Preventing constipation
- Mood enhancement
- Maintenance of ideal weight
- Age-retardation
- Mental performance improvement
- Improving physical condition
- Assimilation of values
- Overall health improvement
Preventive Aspects of Physical Activity
To ensure safe physical activity, consider these preventive measures:
- Protective bandages
- Straight, short, and clean nails
- Comfortable, well-fitting shoes, and alternating shoes daily
- Muscle warm-up prior to activity
- Correct execution of sports techniques
- Respect for sports facilities
- A first-aid kit with basic supplies
- Shower and change out of sweaty clothes after physical activity
- Use shower shoes to prevent contagion
- Regular checkups
Major Doping Substances and Effects
| Substance | Effects in Sport | Effects on the Body |
|---|---|---|
| Anabolic Steroids | Increasing muscle strength and size, capacity building training | Welding of cartilage, early growth in the youngest, menstrual disorders in women, liver disease |
| Amphetamines | Increased neural activity, decreased fatigue, increased concentration of energy fuels | Hyperexcitability, increased aggressiveness, cardiovascular problems, hypertension, and death |
| Narcotics | Inhibition of fatigue or pain, increased respiratory rhythms | Dependence, depression of the respiratory center, acute mental disorders, and cardiac contractile capacity |
| Beta-blockers | Increase and decrease concentration | Bradycardia, insomnia, feeling of fatigue and depression, anxiety |
| Blood doping | Increase energy efficiency | Hepatitis and AIDS |
First Aid
| Symptoms | Action |
|---|---|
| Wound: pain, bleeding, infection, and skin condition | Clean the wound, disinfect, and cover with gauze. |
| Contusion: acute pain and inflammation | Remove clothing, apply ice. |
| Muscle strain: sudden and violent jerking of a muscle, selective pain, functional disability, and inflammation in the area | Rest, ice, and compression dressings. |
| Tendinitis: tendon inflammation and severe pain when using the tendon | Ice, anti-inflammatory medication, rest, and dressing. |
| Joint sprain: ligament pain, functional impairment, inflammation, and muscle contraction | Ice, anti-inflammatory medication, resting, compression dressing. |
| Crack: crack or tear, localized pain, functional disability, and inflammation | Do not move the injured area, immobilize the area, and transfer to hospital. |