Natural Healing: Can sports replace medicine?

Everyone knows that any sports activity could only mean well for anyone’s health but can it do so much as to replace medicine and prescription drugs altogether? To find out, we spoke to Damien Monnot, the physician for Team France Rugby U20 as well as at the orthopedic center, Santy in Lyon, France.

Marie France Asia: How can sports prevent chronic diseases?

Damien Monnot: It depends. Some recent studies show that for heart disease, physical activity of moderate intensity is really effective. It is important to note the difference between physical activity and sports. We are not asking to get a bib and run a marathon.

Its beneficial influence also affects the morale of patients. Physical activity is beneficial for the heart, type 2 diabetes, but also osteoarthritis. Regarding Alzheimer’s, many studies are underway… but in my opinion, nothing is yet proven.

MFA: How effective are sports in preventing treatment?

D.M.: You can practice at any age, whether you are sick or not. A person in good health will engage in sports to prevent these diseases. For an ill person, sports will slow the progression of his disease. This is called secondary prevention. A person with osteoarthritis of the knees, wear of cartilage sometimes associated with being overweight, can slow the progression of his disease through physical activity. You must maintain the muscle mass. Beyond jogging or walking for miles, you can bike. Exercising in hot water relieves joints and allows the patient to start walking slowly. The quadriceps are the shock absorbers that need to be cured.

MFA:  How often do you have to practice to enjoy these benefits?

D.M.: It is recommended 150 minutes of sports per week. About five reps of thirty minute exercises. It may seem overwhelming or quite ridiculous but everything depends on our ability to engage in physical activity. It will be a little much for someone who is mostly sedentary but very little for someone accustomed to move a lot.

MFA:  What sports do you recommend?

D.M.: You can practice everything and anything. That’s why I insist on the distinction between physical activity and sports. That we must do sports can be scary to someone who never moves.

It is better to take the stairs instead of the elevator. Since it takes ten minutes for it to be effective, climbing stairs is not enough but it is a good start. My advice: choose walking instead of driving or getting down two stations earlier and finish your commute on foot. You can choose from so many little things that are simple and that will add up to 150 minutes of recommended weekly sports. But if you prefer, ballet or Nordic walking is perfect too. All physical activities are good to take.

Florine CAUCHIE