疫情期间更要加强锻炼
这次新冠疫情再次给广大疏于锻炼的美国人民敲响了警钟。
美国有超过四成的成年人口属于肥胖人群，60%的美国成年人至少患有一种慢性疾病，一旦他们感染新冠病毒，他们将有较高风险出现严重的并发症。更可怕的是，患有慢性基础疾病的人群死于新冠肺炎的风险是普通人的12倍。
最近，连美国总统特朗普都确诊了新冠肺炎，美国人这才开始关注起基础病的问题。特朗普的年纪本来就属于新冠高危群体，体重也显然超标了，据说还有高血压的毛病，这些都让他面临了严重并发症的风险。
几十年来，医学界一直在提醒人们注意肥胖问题，当然大多数人是并不在意的。直到最近，还有很多美国人直到要去海边度假了，才开始考虑要不要减几天肥，而忽视了健身实为抵御致命疾病的第一道防线。
最终还是疫情改变了人们的这种错误认识。而帮助大家健身，也是广大从业人士的责任。毕竟这是一件性命攸关的事。
很多人都知道，体育锻炼能够促进健康，但很多人并不知道体育锻炼究竟有多重要。
体育运动可以加速全身的血液流动，加快提高免疫细胞的体内循环。随着时间的推移，这种免疫反应就会逐步增强，从而显著提高健康水平。一项发表在《英国运动医学杂志》（British Journal of Sports Medicine）上的研究发现，如果我们每周进行五次以上的有氧运动，那么我们发生上呼吸道感染的机率在12周内就会下降40%。
运动也能够降低体脂和炎症反应，从而有助于抵御感染，还可以预防高血压、心脏病等慢性疾病。
随着媒体的广泛报道，美国人终于意识到新冠疫情的高危群体就是患有慢性基础病的人群。而健身不仅仅是为了让自己变得好看一些，更是为了增强免疫系统，避免严重的健康问题。
好在健身行业也采取了种种办法，配合大家健身意识的觉醒。
由于美国多地都采取了封城和保持社交距离的防疫措施，很多健身房都将课程搬到了户外，甚至是在网上开课。美国运动医学院（American College of Sports Medicine）等机构也疫情期间积极宣传运动健身的好处，并特别呼吁向弱势群体提供户外健身资源。
要想进一步培养美国人的健身习惯，让大家意识到运动对健康的重要性，还需要运动科学专业人士的帮助。毕竟他们接受过专业的教育培训，懂得如何根据人们的年龄、健康、文化和其他因素，打造量体裁衣的健身计划，从而保证人们的总体健康水平。
比如有些人可能很容易犯高血压，他们也知道自己需要多锻炼，但不知道如何着手。而一位健身专家则可以为他制定一个实际的、可实现的目标——比如从每天早上散散步开始。如此积少成多，由量变发展为质变，人们就能够养成长期的运动习惯，慢慢开展更高强度的体育锻炼。
再比如说，有些人可能已经患有某种基础病。对这些人，运动科学专家们可以教育他们体育锻炼对于控制病情的好处——比如能够减轻风湿性关节炎引起的疼痛，提高糖尿病患者对胰岛素的敏感性等等。
这些专业人士还可以根据客户的适应水平来调整训练方法。比如现在很多美国人觉得疫情期间去健身房不安全，那么专业人士们也能够通过打造其他创新性的健身工具和训练模式来满足他们的需求，例如户外运动或者远程健身平台等等。
新冠疫情严重打乱了正常的社会生活，但它也给这个国家提供了一个改善人们健康水平的机会。而实现的途径，就是将健身作为对抗疾病的主要武器。（财富中文网）
本文作者亚力克斯•罗斯坦是纽约理工学院运动科学专业的讲师和项目协调员。
译者：朴成奎
这次新冠疫情再次给广大疏于锻炼的美国人民敲响了警钟。
美国有超过四成的成年人口属于肥胖人群，60%的美国成年人至少患有一种慢性疾病，一旦他们感染新冠病毒，他们将有较高风险出现严重的并发症。更可怕的是，患有慢性基础疾病的人群死于新冠肺炎的风险是普通人的12倍。
最近，连美国总统特朗普都确诊了新冠肺炎，美国人这才开始关注起基础病的问题。特朗普的年纪本来就属于新冠高危群体，体重也显然超标了，据说还有高血压的毛病，这些都让他面临了严重并发症的风险。
几十年来，医学界一直在提醒人们注意肥胖问题，当然大多数人是并不在意的。直到最近，还有很多美国人直到要去海边度假了，才开始考虑要不要减几天肥，而忽视了健身实为抵御致命疾病的第一道防线。
最终还是疫情改变了人们的这种错误认识。而帮助大家健身，也是广大从业人士的责任。毕竟这是一件性命攸关的事。
很多人都知道，体育锻炼能够促进健康，但很多人并不知道体育锻炼究竟有多重要。
体育运动可以加速全身的血液流动，加快提高免疫细胞的体内循环。随着时间的推移，这种免疫反应就会逐步增强，从而显著提高健康水平。一项发表在《英国运动医学杂志》（British Journal of Sports Medicine）上的研究发现，如果我们每周进行五次以上的有氧运动，那么我们发生上呼吸道感染的机率在12周内就会下降40%。
运动也能够降低体脂和炎症反应，从而有助于抵御感染，还可以预防高血压、心脏病等慢性疾病。
随着媒体的广泛报道，美国人终于意识到新冠疫情的高危群体就是患有慢性基础病的人群。而健身不仅仅是为了让自己变得好看一些，更是为了增强免疫系统，避免严重的健康问题。
好在健身行业也采取了种种办法，配合大家健身意识的觉醒。
由于美国多地都采取了封城和保持社交距离的防疫措施，很多健身房都将课程搬到了户外，甚至是在网上开课。美国运动医学院（American College of Sports Medicine）等机构也疫情期间积极宣传运动健身的好处，并特别呼吁向弱势群体提供户外健身资源。
要想进一步培养美国人的健身习惯，让大家意识到运动对健康的重要性，还需要运动科学专业人士的帮助。毕竟他们接受过专业的教育培训，懂得如何根据人们的年龄、健康、文化和其他因素，打造量体裁衣的健身计划，从而保证人们的总体健康水平。
比如有些人可能很容易犯高血压，他们也知道自己需要多锻炼，但不知道如何着手。而一位健身专家则可以为他制定一个实际的、可实现的目标——比如从每天早上散散步开始。如此积少成多，由量变发展为质变，人们就能够养成长期的运动习惯，慢慢开展更高强度的体育锻炼。
再比如说，有些人可能已经患有某种基础病。对这些人，运动科学专家们可以教育他们体育锻炼对于控制病情的好处——比如能够减轻风湿性关节炎引起的疼痛，提高糖尿病患者对胰岛素的敏感性等等。
这些专业人士还可以根据客户的适应水平来调整训练方法。比如现在很多美国人觉得疫情期间去健身房不安全，那么专业人士们也能够通过打造其他创新性的健身工具和训练模式来满足他们的需求，例如户外运动或者远程健身平台等等。
新冠疫情严重打乱了正常的社会生活，但它也给这个国家提供了一个改善人们健康水平的机会。而实现的途径，就是将健身作为对抗疾病的主要武器。（财富中文网）
本文作者亚力克斯•罗斯坦是纽约理工学院运动科学专业的讲师和项目协调员。
译者：朴成奎
COVID-19 is a terrifying wake-up call for out-of-shape Americans.
More than four in 10 U.S. adults are obese, and 60% have at least one chronic disease, putting them at high risk of serious COVID-19 complications—or worse. Individuals with chronic illnesses are 12 times more likely to die from the virus.
In light of President Trump's recent COVID-19 diagnosis, the dangers of having any of those conditions have been thrust into the national spotlight. Trump is in a high-risk age group, clinically obese, and has "elevated" blood pressure—all of which puts him at risk for more severe complications.
For decades, health care professionals have cautioned people about the dangers of obesity. But those warnings have largely gone unheeded. Until recently, too many Americans viewed exercise as the ticket to a beach body—not the first line of defense against deadly diseases.
COVID-19 is finally changing that mistaken belief. Now, it's incumbent upon health professionals to help Americans get in shape. Lives depend on it.
Everyone knows that exercise promotes good health. But many don't understand just how important it really is.
Exercise increases blood flow throughout the body, meaning that more immune cells can circulate at a higher rate. Over time, that immune response builds up—with a measurable effect on health outcomes. A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that among people who engaged in aerobic exercise five or more times per week, upper respiratory tract infection decreased by 40% over 12 weeks.
Staying active also reduces body fat and inflammation, which helps to fend off infections and prevent chronic conditions such as hypertension or heart disease.
Due to extensive media coverage of COVID-19's disproportionate impact on the chronically ill, Americans are starting to finally realize that staying fit isn't just about looking good—it's about strengthening the immune system and staving off serious health problems.
Fortunately, the fitness industry is trying to accommodate this mass awakening.
Many gyms moved fitness classes outdoors and online for the first time, in response to social distancing and statewide lockdowns. Organizations like the American College of Sports Medicine have actively campaigned for the health benefits of physical activity in the midst of the pandemic—specifically calling for outdoor fitness resources in disadvantaged communities.
Further transforming Americans' relationship with exercise—and making it a critical component of their health and wellness plans—will also require the help of exercise science professionals. These individuals are trained to develop individualized wellness programs that consider people's age, health, culture, and other factors that influence their ability to maintain a healthy routine.
Consider someone at risk of developing high blood pressure; they may know they need more exercise, but have no idea where to start. An exercise science professional can help set realistic and achievable goals—something as simple as a short morning walk. That person can then build on those smaller activities and develop longer-term habits that incorporate more vigorous exercise into their routine.
Or take someone who already has an illness. Exercise science experts can educate chronic disease patients about the ways physical activity can help manage their conditions—from reducing the pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis to increasing insulin sensitivity for diabetics.
These professionals can also adjust their methods based on clients' individual comfort levels. Many Americans still don't feel safe entering brick-and-mortar gyms—and it's unclear if they'll ever want to return. In response, exercise science professionals can build out other innovative tools and training models, such as remote platforms and outdoor workout settings.
COVID-19 has disrupted our society. But it has also created an opportunity to improve our country's health—by transforming exercise into the primary weapon in our fight against disease.
Alex Rothstein is an instructor and program coordinator for the exercise science degree program at New York Institute of Technology.
