JAYA PETAL: As sporting activities begin to take center stage in people’s lives, especially on the weekends, the trend is an acknowledgment that life is slowly returning to normal.
Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) President Dr. Muruga Raj Rajathurai said that exercise is one of the main pillars of maintaining good health and regular exercise has many benefits, including improving physical well-being, mental and emotional of a person.
“However, if a person has not been exercising regularly, it is advisable to start with light exercises and take time to develop their fitness level, as sudden high-intensity exercises for those who are not in good shape fitness can lead to undesirable results.
“We believe that professional marathon organizers warn the public through legal notices before signing up to participate in fun races. But participants must be honest when declaring their health status.”
Muruga added that it is always better to consult a doctor and get a medical check-up before deciding to participate in such events.
This is especially important for participants who are 35 years of age or older, smokers, people who are overweight or have an existing medical condition.
He said those experiencing shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness and a weak heart should avoid running or high-intensity exercise.
“As these ‘fun runs’ take place outdoors, the risk of Covid-19 is significantly reduced. But if there are many participants involved, it is always advisable to keep a distance between them to avoid possible transmission.
Muruga said it should be noted that Covid-19 is another reason why people should exercise regularly, as it boosts your immune system and can significantly help fend off infections.
Former Deputy Health Minister Dr. Lee Boon Chye, who is a cardiologist, said that since the Ministry of Health lifted the restrictions, the public has started to carry out activities as normal.
“Exercise is important, people were doing it during the Covid period to stay healthy. Those involved in fun-filled physical activities need not worry too much as we must learn to live with Covid, which is not going to go away overnight.
“The Ministry of Health is constantly monitoring the number of Covid cases. Since the mask restriction was lifted, there has been no increase in the number of cases.”
He said it was important for the ministry to monitor the situation to make sure there were no new variants of Covid-19 as this could cause problems.
Lee also said that those who wanted to engage in physical activities had to do so gradually, adding that they should not rush, but build their stamina first.
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