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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1979-06-21, Page 3Thinkyou'refity' Well, try this test by Shelley McPhee So you think you're in good shape huh? Well perhaps you are, but if you're like the majority ..of people across Ontario your fitness level is probably average, or below average. Seven fitness vans tour Ontario annually testing a variety of men and women from the ages of 18 to 65 and the general consensus is that people are out of shape. "Most people think they're in better shape than we really find out," ex- plained John Harrison, a fitness tester for the van which tours through southwestern Ontario and had made a two-day stop at Vanastra this week. Fitness Ontario has found that only 20 per cent of Canada's population are active in any form of physical activity and less than 15 per cent of the nation's people meet internationally accepted standards of physical fitness. Instead of participating in one form of physical activity, the average person in Ontario spends 35 per cent of his or her time watching TV, 15 per cent listening to the radio and another 5 per cent reading. And Canadians' decline in fitness does not start as old age sets in. In truth some people start to decline in fitness at age 6 when they first enter school. Most Canadians' fitness level begins to decline at the age of 13 despite the fact that a person's absolute fitness level should peak at around 25 years. With these shocking figures, it is no wonder that heart disease and malfunctions along with overweight problems are frequently seen in people taking the fitness test. Cardiovascular diseases, account for more than half of all deaths and the heart of an unfit person can beat 30 times more per minute than the heart of a fit person, making it work much harder than it 'should. Nearly six out of ten of the adults in Ontario are overweight and 14 per cent are obese. "Being overweight is the most visible weakness in people, but not necessarily the most dangerous," Mr. Harrison explained , He noted that weak lungs and heart can prove to be dangerous tp your physical health and he emphasised strengthening those. He noted that with roper training the heartbeat can be and after exercise. The exercise in- volves walking up and down three stairs to the rythmr. of a song for three minutes. Sound easy? It can be it you're in good shape, but if you're not, the continuous stepping can leave you puffing, clearly indicating that your heart, lungs and blood vessels -are not working efficient enough to get nutrients to your muscles. To improve endurance and aerobic capacities, Mr. Harrison suggested that walking, jogging, swimming, bicycling, cross country skiing, skipping and skating will improve this. He went on to say, "You can kill two birds with one stone by doing these exercises since they're good for weight control." Body weight and percentage of body fat is the next test, and perhaps even more dreaded than the situps since most people are told that they could lose some weight. Fitness Ontario explains that being underweight can be just as bad as carrying extra pounds. Fat is necessary to store energy, protect organs and act as insulation against cold, but too much fat leads to obesity and coronary problems. There's a way you can fake your body fat during the test. You may be able to pull your stomach in, balance on the scale with one foot to adjust the measurement, but when the calipers grip the skin and what's lying un- derneath, the true figure shows. The tester measures the body fat with the calipers at the waist, under the arm and at the shoulder blades. Ideally, the average male should carry less than 16 per cent body fat, while females should carry no more than 20 per cent. The capacity and efficiency of the lungs is tested in a forced vital capacity test in which you exhale as much air as possible after inhaling deeply. All testing is done in a relaxed method with as little strain as possible and sex and age are taken into con- sideration. "If a 70 year old comes in to be tested we usually just tell them to keep walking every day and to eat right," Mr. Harrison explained. Regarding other people who come to take the tests, Mr. Harrison noted that, unfortunately, only the really fit or educed to 20 -beats 'per minute-w'raiie–Tairly -fit–people- Lorne -not those completely out of shape. While no actual breakdown on which group is more fit has been con'dicted, Mr. Harrison noted that on the average, rural people and probably in better shape than urban people. The Fit Test has visited over 40 communities in Southwestern Ontario and over 2,000 adults have taken it. Mr. Harrison noted that the turnout was a little low compared to last year's fall clinic when 40 people were tested, but he cited the warm weather as a reason why fewer people came this time around. The examiners, and those taking the tests both agree than that the Fitness Van is necessary and successful. In follow-up studies, the Ministry of Culture and Recreation learned that 49 per cent of the men and 46 per cent of the women tested reported increasing their activity patterns after having the Fit Test. As well as the test, awareness presentations which include a film presentation, slide presentation and a special exercise progam designed to be participated by office staffers during coffee breaks, are always available to any group requesting them. resting, thus saving up to 30,000 beats a day. The fitness test, which was held in Vanastra on Monday and Tuesday saw some 20 people perform physical feats that they don't usually do. It's not that that the tests are nearly impossible, but according to Mr. Harrison, people don't tax them- selves enough. The 20 -minute test begins with a nutritional survey in which you analyze the meals eaten over the previous few days. From this, eating habits can be determined and a proper diet may be suggested, which basically involves following the Canada Food Guide. Measurements and weight are taken and then muscle strength and en- durance are tested. A grip strength dynomometer is used to measure muscle strength, while endurance is tested by how many situps can be performed in a minute's time. The oucome of these tests are important, Mr, Harrison stressed since muscular strength and endurance ►s important to the overall well being. The next important test measures the aerobic capacity which simply measures the heartbeat before, during th great ian art ale a first ever for the Raintree and the county Fine reproduc tions by some of Canada's great artists, some as prints, some matted and some custom framed, ready to take home West Coast Indian art, Eskimo, Group of Seven, and con temporary art, all expressing in some way our unique .heritage. Our vast library of special order reproductions from around the world will also be available at special savings. The custom frame shop will offer its renowned ser vice with enthusiasm to fashion your choice into a timeless home or office accent. Great specials, clearances, one of a kind all from 20% to 50% off. Thursday 21st 9 - 5 Friday 22nd 9 - 9 Saturday 23rd 9 - 5 Don't miss it! THE RAINTREE One Twenty Eight Albert, Clinton 482-3871 .t,...1 ' Being editor of the Clinton News -Record was no special i advantage to Jim Ftizgerald when he went through the rountine at the Fitness Test. In fact Jim may have been facing a disadvantage. Working at a desk all day, without any physical over exertion, took its toll on Jim's test results. Scoop claimed that if only the test had come a month earlier when he was still "in shape" from hockey, he would have definitely scored better.(News-Record photo) Happy Birthday to me, happy birthday to me, happy birthday dear Shelley, happy birthday to me. Hmmm, something't gone wrbhg, tit's my birthday today, but the little 'song seems to have lost a lot of its appeal. I no longer get excited and giddy when voices are raised in musical tribute to me. In fact today, June 20, just seems like any other day. I staggered out of bed at the usual time, scrambled through the morning routines and put in another day of work. No - different than June 19, no different than November 19. When I was younger, I counted off the days, eagerly awaiting my birth- day. It was a very special occasion. A birthday meant waking up and running downstairs to greet a tableful of wonderful gifts and cards filled with my very own money. A birthday meant inviting all my friends home after school for a special meal with all my favorite dishes, chicken, grape punch and strawberry shortcake. At school, a biriiivay made me the centre of attraction amongst my friends. My desk would be covered 'with cards and my rear end, covered with red marks, a sign of my classmates' affection. Now, the birthdays just seem slip by, one year melting into another. Priorities have changed, I sup- pose. The responsibilities of adulthood overrun the innocent excitrfient of a birthday. It's not that I don't thoroughly enjoy getting presents, or having my mum still cook my special meal, it's just that I don't have the time to think about my birthdp vmore. The changes not ont .:ome with birthdays. Many other days that are so special to children no longer have the same appeal to adults. Christmas Day, Easter, Valen- tine's Day, Halloween are, un- fortunately, often thought by adults as days for the kids to enjoy themselves. Ah heck, I still want to be a kid too. Bring on the presents, cards and - candles, I'm waiting. EDUCATION FOR EMPIOYMENT Conestoga College Certificate Programs Would you like to upgrade your job skills? Get back in the work force? Or move ahead in the work force? You can do it...in Clinton Conestoga College, Clinton Campus, offers the following Certificate Programs on a continuous entry basis throughout the year. Academic Upgrading English, Mathematics and Science to College entry level *Programs are offered on a continuous intake basis throughout the year. *Contact the Clinton Campus for the date of the next openings. *Testing and counselling are available to help you select a program. *Funding assistance may be available. Check to see if you are eligible. Call or write to arrange an interview, or drop in to the Clinton Campus on Vanastra Road, 482-3458, for more Information on these or any of our other programs. Conestoga College of Applied Arts and Technology We've got a lotto share. CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, THURSDAY, JUNE 21, 1979—PAGE 3 Dear doctor: I'm still alive Dr. Brian Baker, Victoria Street, Clinton, Ontario Dear Dr. Baker : Well, sir, you'll be pleased to know you won't have me as a patient in the coronary care unit at the Clinton Hosptial, at least not yet, as I passed the Fitness Test with slightly less than flying colors. I took the test last Monday out at Vanastra when the Ontario Fitness Van stopped there during its tour of the area. Actually, doc, I'm in perfect shape for a 45 -year-old man. Too bad I'm only 32. But for a most -of -the -time -sedentary editor type, I'm not nearly in as bad a shape as I thought and all things being equal, it will hopefully be a long time before I need your services, and those of our honorable hospital, at least as far as my ticker is concerned. The nice man who put me through the test, I believe his name was John Harrison, looked like he stepped out of an ad for olympic jockey shorts, and next to him, I looked like a slightly abused retread tire. But fortunately, my blood pressure of 138 over 68 is good, my aerobic capacity as measured on the Electro Cardiogram Gram was only slightly below normal, and my resting heart beat of 71 beats per minute isn't too far off the base of 70 or lower. And too, quitting the "weed" has improved my respiratory function analysis, doc, which is up to 88 per cent of norr--n', On the forced vital capacity, and 85 per cent on the forced expiratory volume in one second, slightly above average. You'd have been proud of my muscular strength and endurance, as my strength was rated as excellent (and well it should be after hammering 40 pounds of nails and lifting several tons of lumber building a deck recently), and I actually did 35 sit-ups in 60 seconds, something I haven't done since high school phys ed classes. My flexibility, too.was rated as good, but there is some bad news, the first of which is, believe it or not, I'm 10 pounds overweight, doc. Now that's hard to believe, but a 32 -year-old, six- foot male specimen like yours truly should be carrying around 167 pounds (76 kilos sounds better) rather than the the 178 pounds currently hanging on these weary old bones. There's more bad news too, doc. Mr. Harrison says I should be exercising moderately three times a week, doing the equivalent of 1.4 miles of jogging, making the old ticker work at about 150 beats per minute for 15 minutes. But the worst news of all, doc, was that the fitness boys don't consider sex to be very good exercise, and a lot of the fellows won't be able to use that old excuse " we're doing it for science," with their wives anymore. In fact, the only reference to sex during the whole test was a question on my gender. Oh well, I'll just have to get more exercise chasing fire engines for pictures for the paper. Sincerely, Your patient Jim Fitzgerald Harrison's 44th reunion The 44th Harrison Reunion was held on Saturday, June 10 at Clinton Conservation Area under the capable leadership of Elizabeth Foster. The executive for the 1980 reunion was elected. It' consists of Jim Collins as president; Donna Collins as secretary - treasurer; Chester and Belle. FRackedt, and .Olive Siemon as directors; and Lois, A 4l1an and Roy Pen-nilrigton as , sports committee. The results of this year's sports program are as follows: races -six- year-old and and under girls - Sheri Oesch and Colleen McAdam; six -years -old and under boys -Tim Airdrie and Jeff Oesch; nine -years -old and under girls -Sheri Oesch and Colleen McAdam; nine - years -old and under boys - Scott Hackett and Stanley Airdrie; 12 -years -old and under girls -Beverly Harrison and Sheri Oesch; 12 -years -old and under boys -Scott Hackett and Stanley Airdrie; 15- � “1..,tnN years -old and under girls - Brenda Hackett and Peggy Willert; 15 -years - old and under boys -Scott Hackett and Alan Hunt; ladies 16 -years -old and over -Barb Oesch and Brenda MacLean; men 16 -years -old and over -Bill Collins and Bruce Collines; three-legged race for 15 and under - first -Brenda Hackett and McAdam; mystery birth- day -Mac Hackett ; and mystery item -Marie Collins. , New grocery What once was Seaforth's possible fire hall site may now turn into a grocery store. The Huron Expositor Peggy_ Willett; . second - posted.- that _-the--- Scott Haetf" arid. 'Allan Seaforth council recently Hunt; three legged race sold the land, planned for for 16 and over -first- a fire hall, to a local Diane and Bill Collins, developer who plans to second -Brenda MacLean l?uild an IGA store. and Barb Oesch; ladies' The land on Maim Street, sold for $24,000, Willert and Brenda will be turned into a 9,000 Foster; men's kick -the- square foot store with a slipper Bill 'Collins and parking lot to be left on Bruce Collins ; land to the south, recently wheelbarrow race -first- bought by the developers Scott Hackett and Allan for Luke's Machine Shop. Hunt, second -Brenda Herman Lansink and Foster and Beverly Tina Holdings showed Harrison; person coming council plans for the new the furthest to the store. Mayor John Sin - reunion -Wilfred and namon, an IGA employee Marian Harrison of and Councillor Bruce Mississauga; oldest Hoelscher, IGA owner, person present -Cecil declared conflict of in - Harrison; youngest terest and left the room person present -Shaun during the discussions. Summer Clearance Now On... ALL SUMMER MERCHANDISE REDUCED TO CLEAR and Yarn Centre SUNCOAST MALL ANIMMoilik