The Exercise Myth -- Dr. Henry Solomon

[Guest guest]

The Exercise Myth

<http://www.ourcivilisation.com/smartboard/shop/solomonh/index.htm>

by Dr Henry

1. The Exercise Market Place

This chapter explains that exercise has now become a multi-million dollar

industry which naturally supports the notion that exercise is good, but the

truth is that exercise will not extend your life-span or even improve your

health.

2. The Heart of the Matter

This chapter explains how people tend to equate health with how they feel,

and this is misleading. Someone who feels well and is fit can be suffering

from a fatal heart disease, and vice-versa. So there is little correlation

between how you feel and the health of your heart. And while exercise may

make you feel better, it does not improve your heart's health.

3. What Stress Tests Don't Tell

This chapter explains the unreliability of stress tests; they may indicate

coronary disease when it is not present, or vice-versa. And that there is a

risk even in taking a stress test.

4. The Case Against Longevity

This chapter explains that we probably have a biological time limit on our

life of about eighty years, and that while we can easily shorten this

period, it is unlikely we can extend it. And there is no real evidence that

lack of exercise shortens it.

5. The Inside Evidence

This chapter discusses the claims of improved health made by proponents of

exercise, explaining that their is little evidence to back any of these

claims.

6. The Magic Runner

This chapter discusses the euphoria that some runners claim to experience,

and points out the dangers of inducing this feeling. That it means ignoring

the symptoms of fatigue and pain which warn of bodily wear and tear, and so

risk your health if not your life.

7. The Dangers Of Exercise

This chapter explains the dangers of exercise; the increased risk of

accident, the damage wrought on the body by repeated strain and the

increased risk of heart attack. It also emphasises the increased dangers to

women whose anatomy makes them more liable to be damaged by the strain of

exercise.

8. A Better Way

This chapter recommends walking as a way of gaining any benefits that come

from exercise, without incurring the risks associated with other forms of

exercise.

============================ ====================================

> -----Original Message-----

> From: Rodney [mailto:perspect1111@...]

> Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2003 10:37 AM

>

> Subject: [ ] Re: Blood pressure

>

>

> Hi folks:

>

> In his book 'The Exercise Myth' Dr. , the author and a

> cardiologist at Cornell Medical Centre in NYC, maintained that a

> modest amount of exercise was critically important - people who are

> bed-ridden do not survive long.

>

> But he also maintained that diminishing returns rapidly set in as the

> amount of exercise increased above a modest amount. I read the book

> quite some time ago, and have since exercised a lot less than I used

> to. But a lot more than he suggested.

>

> One direct quote from his book was: " Fitness has absolutely nothing

> to do with health " . I am not saying he was right. But I am saying

> that is what he said.

>

> Also, the principal physician at 'Participaction', an organization

> financed by the canadian government for the purpose of encouraging

> people to exercise more, told me a couple of years ago that they had

> come to realize that the health benefits to be gained from exercise

> could be achieved with much less of it than they had started out

> believing.

>

> That said, to have a decent life in old age one will need the

> strength, endurance and flexibility to get around and do the things

> one wants to do. That is unlikely to be achieved by sitting on the

> couch. So I can well understand people exercising for the benefit of

> their health. But if after their twenties they are running

> marathons, I think it is probably for reasons other than health.

> Which is fine too, of course. jmo.

>

> Rodney.