Now in days, the majority of Americans use their computers more than any other electronic device in their lives: television, cell phone, i-pod, and even their treadmill! Well the last one is sort of a given, but in this world of fast paced technology, we are selves seemed to have slow down in comparison to are electronic counter parts. These devices make our lives easier, faster, and more productive; just by sitting in a chair, looking at a screen, and clicking a mouse. Of course a computer is much more stimulating mentally but when it comes to stimulating you mussels, joints, and blood flow, it’s typically not the case. According to Bugija (2005) “Media appliances and computer technology displace us in the confines of our own home”(p.2). These technologies have advanced our lives in many ways but are also preventing us from enjoying the outdoors or exercise, adding to America’s high obesity rate and creating health complications for desk job workers. According to Public Productity & Management Review “The physical conditions of work also influence productivity”(p.1) Bugija(2005) also opines on the effects technology has even on children’s physical state; “Between 1993 and 2000 many children went from playing in parks in front of neighbors…to playing in mall arcades in front of parents…to playing in living-rooms on consoles in front of each other…to playing online in their rooms in front of no one in a place that is actually not there”(p.2) This is similar to adults as well; we used to be physical but the confines of sit-down careers stunted our physical activities.He’sfit.com states: “Obesity, back pain, and muscle imbalances are three of the most common health consequences that can be caused by the typical desk job. American Journal of Preventive Medicine recently documented, people who put in more than 6 hours a day at a desk job are at a significantly increased risk of obesity, particularly when compared to those working at a desk less than an hour a day” (2007). According to Ecomonic and Political Weekly, “All work done by human beings involves muscle contraction. Even the results of mental work can not be communicated to others without some form of muscular activity…Static contraction of muscles results in lack of circulation and thereby leads to local muscle fatigue”(p.1). Thanks to Ergonomics, the study of human being in their work environment, there has been great improvement to the development of desks and office chairs to make the desk job workers more comfortable and less prone to injury. Although there are advances in the designs of office environments, employees confined to cubicles still need to get up out of their chair! Here are some useful tips on staying active in the workplace form an article by Kristie Leong M.D:Kristie Le
If you have a private office, shut the door several times a day and do biceps curls and lateral raises using hand weights. Even five minutes of upper body exercise can help to tone muscle, build lean body mass, and optimize your metabolism. A pair of six to ten pounds hand weights is easy to store in an office drawer. (2008)
You can actually do a very effective abdominal workout without leaving your office chair. Spend five minutes each day doing leg lifts while seated. Bring both knees up to your chest and then extend them. Continue doing reps until you feel the abdominal muscles burning. The abdominal muscles are relatively easy to tone up with simple exercises such as this(2008) You can also you a balance ball to sit on to obtain good posture and to strengthen your core.
Even if your lunch hour is more like thirty minutes, you can get your heart pumping by taking a brisk walk around the building or by doing fifteen minutes of stair climbing. When the weather's nice, find a coworker who also wants to get into shape and head out for a fast lunchtime stroll. You'll feel invigorated after your workout and will probably accomplish more later in the day.
Instead of looking for the closest parking space, park as far as possible from the building. When you head to and from work to your car, walk as rapidly as possible to get your heart rate up. Those extra steps you take by parking far away can add up over time and result in weight loss and better cardiovascular health(2008)
References
Bugeja, M. (2005). Interpersonal divide: The search for community in a technological age. New York: Oxford.
Carnevale. David. (1992). Phyical Settings of Work: A Theory of the Effects of Environmental Form. Public Productivity & Management. Retrieved April 27, 2009, form http://www.jstor.org.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/stable/3380628?&Search=yes&term=ergonomics&term=productivity&list=hide&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dergonomics%2Band%2Bproductivity%26gw%3Djtx%26prq%3Dergonomics%26Search%3DSearch%26hp%3D25%26wc%3Don&item=5&ttl=481&returnArticleService=showArticle
Cieplechowicz, Lisa. (2007). Desk Jobs, Obesity, and Back Pain. Retrieved April 24, 2009, from http://www.hesfit.com/men/comment/desk-jobs-obesity-and-back-pain/
I love your blog! It is amazing to think about how much time CMC has consumed our lives. Even Bugeja (2005) said, “we must develop effective means to cope face-to-face with neighbors, strangers, employers, coworkers, relatives, and friends” because we are now so used to communicating over some form of screen (pg. 13). I am subject to this myself. Sometimes I would rather sit at home and play with facebook all day then embrace the beautiful day and actually go outside and do some physical activity. People today are more likely to stay homebound because of CMC gadgets (Bugeja 2005). I really like how you incorporated actual tips to help people find a way to workout at work. So many people come up with excuses of why they cannot workout because they have work but you have offered suggestions that make it possible. Even though CMC has taken time away from physical exercise, a positive is that there are so many websites out there now promoting physical well being. I tend to go on websites such as shape.com to find a new work out or fun tips. Did you find any positive research on how the internet promotes physical health?
Reference Bugeja, M. (2005). Interpersonal divide: The search for community in a technological age. New York: Oxford.
Your blog was really put together well. It is difficult to get enough excercise, when you are tied down to a computer all day. Your tips were very useful for my life, when I have to care for two autistic children, in addition to my other responsibilties. In Bugeja (2005), they discussed how the "The typical middle-class house contains a television set for each family member and computers for the parents and children" (p. 14). This highlights the fact, that all family members are spending too much time, in front of the computer and television. This is why, obesity numbers are on the rise in this country.
References:
Bugeja, M. (2005). Interpersonal Divide: The search for community in a technological age. New York: Oxford.
Great job on choosing a topic that is both interesting and important in today’s society. As we spend more and more time on the Internet, we tend to replace physical activity time with computer time. Many of us used to spend more of our leisure time engaged in physical activities such as playing team sports, going to the gym, or just spending time outdoors. Today, we replace these activities with those now offered by the Internet, such as chatting, visiting social networks, and playing video games. The Internet has become a natural part of life. Many of us may not realize that the Internet has caused us to decrease our physical activity, so thank you for bringing awareness. First, I think it is important to mention that the Internet is a great tool that we are fortunate to have available to us. Thanks to the Internet, “people can overcome great distances to communicate with others almost instantaneously” (Bargh & McKenna 573). Also, "people can turn to the Internet to quickly find needed information, such as about health conditions and remedies, as well as weather forecasts, sports scores, and stock prices" (Bargh & McKenna 574). The Internet has made many things in life much more convenient. However, with this convenience, it is important that we find a balance and not spend all of our time on the Internet. Many people are now spending hours upon hours a day surfing the Internet, “during which they are away from their family and friends, resulting in depression and loneliness for the individual user, and further weakening neighborhood and community ties” (Bargh & McKenna 574).We must not forget the importance of engaging in face-to-face communication and getting our hearts beating with physical activity! Your blog brings attention to the fact that we must not get lost in the Internet and remember that real physical activity can never be replaced.
Bargh and McKenna (2004) The Internet and Social Life. Annu. Rev. Psychol. 55: 573-590.
As a final thought, do you think that we will eventually turn to the Internet for the majority of our leisure time or will we always value real physical activity? Programs like Wii are trying to bring a balance. Do you think that more programs like these will develop to merge Internet and physical activity? And if so, is this positive or negative? I would argue that Wii will never measure up to playing a real bowling game or tennis match.
I love your blog! It is amazing to think about how much time CMC has consumed our lives. Even Bugeja (2005) said, “we must develop effective means to cope face-to-face with neighbors, strangers, employers, coworkers, relatives, and friends” because we are now so used to communicating over some form of screen (pg. 13). I am subject to this myself. Sometimes I would rather sit at home and play with facebook all day then embrace the beautiful day and actually go outside and do some physical activity. People today are more likely to stay homebound because of CMC gadgets (Bugeja 2005). I really like how you incorporated actual tips to help people find a way to workout at work. So many people come up with excuses of why they cannot workout because they have work but you have offered suggestions that make it possible. Even though CMC has taken time away from physical exercise, a positive is that there are so many websites out there now promoting physical well being. I tend to go on websites such as shape.com to find a new work out or fun tips. Did you find any positive research on how the internet promotes physical health?
ReplyDeleteReference
Bugeja, M. (2005). Interpersonal divide: The search for community in a technological age. New York: Oxford.
Your blog was really put together well. It is difficult to get enough excercise, when you are tied down to a computer all day. Your tips were very useful for my life, when I have to care for two autistic children, in addition to my other responsibilties. In Bugeja (2005), they discussed how the "The typical middle-class house contains a television set for each family member and computers for the parents and children" (p. 14). This highlights the fact, that all family members are spending too much time, in front of the computer and television. This is why, obesity numbers are on the rise in this country.
ReplyDeleteReferences:
Bugeja, M. (2005). Interpersonal Divide: The search for community in a technological age. New York: Oxford.
Great job on choosing a topic that is both interesting and important in today’s society. As we spend more and more time on the Internet, we tend to replace physical activity time with computer time. Many of us used to spend more of our leisure time engaged in physical activities such as playing team sports, going to the gym, or just spending time outdoors. Today, we replace these activities with those now offered by the Internet, such as chatting, visiting social networks, and playing video games. The Internet has become a natural part of life. Many of us may not realize that the Internet has caused us to decrease our physical activity, so thank you for bringing awareness.
ReplyDeleteFirst, I think it is important to mention that the Internet is a great tool that we are fortunate to have available to us. Thanks to the Internet, “people can overcome great distances to communicate with others almost instantaneously” (Bargh & McKenna 573). Also, "people can turn to the Internet to quickly find needed information, such as about health conditions and remedies, as well as weather forecasts, sports scores, and stock prices" (Bargh & McKenna 574). The Internet has made many things in life much more convenient. However, with this convenience, it is important that we find a balance and not spend all of our time on the Internet. Many people are now spending hours upon hours a day surfing the Internet, “during which they are away from their family and friends, resulting in depression and loneliness for the individual user, and further weakening neighborhood and community ties” (Bargh & McKenna 574).We must not forget the importance of engaging in face-to-face communication and getting our hearts beating with physical activity! Your blog brings attention to the fact that we must not get lost in the Internet and remember that real physical activity can never be replaced.
Bargh and McKenna (2004) The Internet and Social Life. Annu. Rev. Psychol. 55: 573-590.
As a final thought, do you think that we will eventually turn to the Internet for the majority of our leisure time or will we always value real physical activity? Programs like Wii are trying to bring a balance. Do you think that more programs like these will develop to merge Internet and physical activity? And if so, is this positive or negative? I would argue that Wii will never measure up to playing a real bowling game or tennis match.
ReplyDelete