The need for exertion

[horizon]

Physical exertion: do we need it and why? Or is it mankind's purpose to remove it from his life? Why do we find exertion difficult but at the same time enjoyable (if we do)? Why does mankind find ever more ways to avoid it? And then ever more ways to get it? Is cycling about exertion?

[david7591]

I prefer exercise to exertion

[Cyril Haearn]

We need exercise exertion movement because we evolved to be active and not to sit at a desk.

A member of a Canadian first nation went to Toronto for the first time. "What the people do there does not look like work" he said. Work for him would have been hunting, gathering wood and food, building a shelter.

Zygmunt Bauman was a philosopher who lived in Leeds for many years. He observed that earlier many things were made in Leeds, locomotive engines for example. A lot of manual work was done. Later the typical workplace was an office where the loudest sound was the clicking of the mice, yet people were richer and had far more goods and bads than before. [Were they happier?] He wondered whether something was not quite right.

[Norman H]

The health benefits of exercise are well known, and all the more important nowadays, if one has a physically undemanding job. It's also true I think, that fitness is a bit of a drug. Something to do with endorphins I believe. I know that riding a bike energises me and brings me feelings of happiness and well being. That said, elite athletes walk a narrow path between health and ill health and the risk of overtaining. There is some evidence that they may become more susceptible to injuries and have depressed immune systems.

It's also true that we appreciate things more if we've put some effort into achieving them. If you've ever cycled to the top of a tough climb and stopped to admire the view, your appreciation is all the more satisfying than those who are sharing it with you, having arrived by car.

Or could that just be smug self righteousness.

[horizon]

I prefer exercise to exertion

Yes, I meant exercise (or any activity for that matter) involving exertion (as opposed to gentle stretching or whatever). The reason I posted is this is because of a passing thought about electric bikes. I don't want to open that debate here but what I would like to know is whether the act of exerting ourselves beyond our normal comfortable limits is an essential part of getting fit and keeping well. I felt that an electric bike would take over or kick in at the very point at which exertion was both necessary and, probably uncomfortable or unpleasant for some people. (I'm excluding here people who have to use electric bikes due to age, illness or disability or even extended commutes for example). It may be that it is the exertion needed at times when cycling that is the key to improving fitness: just when that exertion threatens is the point at which the electric bike relieves the cyclist of it.

(So, just to emphasise, this post is about exertion not about electrically assisted bikes and I'm still thinking it through.)

[Norman H]

I don't want to open that debate here but what I would like to know is whether the act of exerting ourselves beyond our normal comfortable limits is an essential part of getting fit and keeping well. )

The act of exerting ourselves is fundamental to getting fitter. Fitness is the adaptation to exercise beyond the normal comfort zone. It depends how fit you want to be as to how hard you push.

Those that ride electric bicycles may never become as fit as those that ride unassisted, but they will be fitter than those that don't ride at all.

[Mick F]

I prefer exercise to exertion

+1

[al_yrpal]

Just a bit of exertion works wonders, its not necessary to do lots of miles to get fit and stay fit IME. This time of year with unpleasant weather I find a ten mile ride three times a week is enough to stay fit as long as it includes a couple of decent hills of 5 to 10 minutes climbing. Staying in a higher gear than is comfortable steps up exertion too. When the weather relents its then easy to do 50 to 70 mile days loaded without problems.

Al

[horizon]

Just a bit of exertion works wonders,

Al

This seems unarguable. So why does mankind spend most of its waking hours working out how to avoid it (think dishwashers, lifts, washing machines, electric hoods on cars, cars, did I mention cars?). Never mind a peculiar schizophrenia about body sweat - i.e. it's admirable but socially unacceptable and must be sprayed out of existence as soon as possible.

Can society make its mind up about exertion?

[al_yrpal]

Epicurus of Samos made up his mind about things that hurt and require effort in about 300 BC. Free from the complications of labour saving inventions of modern life he could see things more clearly. That said, a bicycle is actually a labour saving device for travel. Its saving grace is that it requires some effort compared with motorised vehicles.

Latterly John Stewart Mill - avoidance of pain and seeking of pleasure.

i.e. nothing new. We seek exertion in itself as a means to remain healthier, its a byproduct of the desire to explore in some of us. If we are to believe the pundits we are a minority. Less than 5% of adults participate in 30 minutes of physical activity each day.

Al

[Mick F]

Does exertion have to hurt to be exertion?

[horizon]

Does exertion have to hurt to be exertion?

Not necessarily hurt or pain but certainly unpleasant and uncomfortable. Puffing, sweating, maybe a touch of nausea. Pain might be an indication to stop (I'm no expert on this BTW). It's whatever it is that puts people off exerting themselves and feeling grateful for the lift up two flights of stairs, getting into their car, using their washing machine and any other "labour saving device".

It's a complicated because there are also the carrying and time factors: carrying an excessive load, saving time by taking the car or using a dish washer. This confuses the reason why people might legitimately avoid exertion. Of course, that time saved might be used for going to the gym ... or booking an appointment with the GP. Some people would also claim that it isn't the exertion but the danger from traffic that makes them drive. Do we believe them?

It also begs the question as to why the body makes unpleasant something that is, by all accounts, vital for its survival.

[Mick F]

So .................... one man's exertion, is another man's exercise?
Using the stairs instead of the lift is only exercise to me, but some folk might find it exertion?

We stayed a couple of nights in a hotel in Bristol a week or two ago and our room was at the top. Floor Five. Excellent exercise using the stairs, it was 84 steps. (we counted them)

I cut a few logs this morning. Our stash is on the south side of the house in 5ft (or so) lengths. I pick one up under each arm, carry them round to the front and along a bit, drop them onto the logging horse and chainsaw them into rings. Then I barrow them into the house.

Heavy work, but not exertion. Just exercise.

[al_yrpal]

Does exertion have to hurt to be exertion?

Not necessarily hurt or pain but certainly unpleasant and uncomfortable. Puffing, sweating, maybe a touch of nausea. Pain might be an indication to stop (I'm no expert on this BTW). It's whatever it is that puts people off exerting themselves and feeling grateful for the lift up two flights of stairs, getting into their car, using their washing machine and any other "labour saving device".

It's a complicated because there are also the carrying and time factors: carrying an excessive load, saving time by taking the car or using a dish washer. This confuses the reason why people might legitimately avoid exertion. Of course, that time saved might be used for going to the gym ... or booking an appointment with the GP. Some people would also claim that it isn't the exertion but the danger from traffic that makes them drive. Do we believe them?

It also begs the question as to why the body makes unpleasant something that is, by all accounts, vital for its survival.

I could fix you up with a wash board and mangle if you like? You are not having the stair lift though

Al

[david7591]

I prefer exercise to exertion

Yes, I meant exercise (or any activity for that matter) involving exertion (as opposed to gentle stretching or whatever). The reason I posted is this is because of a passing thought about electric bikes. I don't want to open that debate here but what I would like to know is whether the act of exerting ourselves beyond our normal comfortable limits is an essential part of getting fit and keeping well. I felt that an electric bike would take over or kick in at the very point at which exertion was both necessary and, probably uncomfortable or unpleasant for some people. (I'm excluding here people who have to use electric bikes due to age, illness or disability or even extended commutes for example). It may be that it is the exertion needed at times when cycling that is the key to improving fitness: just when that exertion threatens is the point at which the electric bike relieves the cyclist of it.

(So, just to emphasise, this post is about exertion not about electrically assisted bikes and I'm still thinking it through.)

It's true that you get fitter and stronger by placing the body under stress then recovering. It's when you are recovering that you actually get fitter. For the untrained or lower trained person improvements in fitness can be achieved just through doing more moderate aerobic exercise. If you are highly trained, then in order to increase fitness, you have to work hard, performing efforts and riding challenging courses. However if you already have a decent level of fitness with which you are content, you may prefer just riding for enjoyment.