Hello Aaron: Thanks for writing back.
I really don't think that I'm against exercise as a form for health promotion. I guess I just hate to see OT's fall into the trap of thinking that exercise is the 'only' or even best way to promote health. It seems that our brothers and sister in arms (i.e. PT's) are leading the way on exercise as the great cure-all for a 'sick' society. I believe that occupation (which certainly includes exercise) is probably a better approach to health and I just want to share that opinion with others. Lastly, whether exercise is or isn't an occupation is really dependent on the person doing the exercise. I've seen and probably prescribed, exercise for many people who couldn't give a darn about what it was doing to them or for them. For these people, exercise is NOT an occupation. However, like you say, exercise CAN certainly be an occupation for those people who find meaning, value and a sense of identity by engaging in it. But for everyone who does find such value in exercise, there are many others who don't. So, what do we do for those people who will benefit from increased activity but don't find exercise to be an occupation of choice. Simple, we help them find occupation of choice that involves some form of physical activity. I guess the bottom line is I just believe in promoting occupation. Ron ~~~~~ On 6/23/02, aaron <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> said: ae> Ron, ae> You've been going on a bit here, haven't you. ae> Exercise is a useful occupation in health promotion. It likely does enhance ae> physiological functioning. It likely does promote enhanced mood and ae> self-concept, and such. And I would assert that for many participating in ae> it, it would be a "personally relevant and meaningful (i.e. occupation)". ae> Is exercise in and of itself the nirvana of all occupations? Clearly not, ae> but by this line of thinking neither are collecting, or painting, or growing ae> a business, or raising a child. Many occupations chosen and directed by the ae> individual weave that persons "tapestry of life". One of those chosen ae> occupations may be exersice. ae> I would be interested to know, Ron, why you appear to be so passionate ae> against "exercise" as an occupational form for health promotion. ae> Aaron Eakman ae> ----- Original Message ----- ae> From: "Ron Carson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ae> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ae> Sent: Sunday, June 23, 2002 5:38 AM ae> Subject: exercise versus occupation >> Hey: >> >> Everywhere I go, I keep hearing the term, "exercise" as a way to ae> promote >> health. I really believe that people are often using the term ae> "exercise" >> when of course they really mean occupation. When someone talks about ae> having >> an active lifestyle, more time than not, they are talking about having ae> an >> occupationally full life. In other words, a life that may include ae> exercise, >> but almost always includes many other forms of non-exercise ae> related >> activities. >> >> Many people exercise and are still mentally and emotionally unhealthy. ae> Where >> as, if these people were to engage in occupation that was challenging ae> and >> successful, they would develop a greater sense of competence and ae> self-worth. >> Putting a client on stationary bicycle and believing that this is ae> someone >> going to improve their health is narrow minded. Of course, OT's often ae> define >> health differently than other health care professions. >> >> >From an OT perspective, health is NOT measured in terms of oxygen ae> uptake, >> heart rate, blood pressure, etc. Health is measured by one's ability ae> to >> SUCCESSFULLY engage in activity that is personally relevant and ae> meaningful >> (i.e. occupation). >> >> However, being able to engage in occupation is infinitely more complex ae> than >> simply increasing physiological function. Too many times, exercise is ae> seen >> as a 'cure all' for our health problems and for some, simple exercise may ae> be >> a great answer. But for many others, health problems (defined as loss ae> of >> occupational performance competence) will not be alleviated nor reduced ae> by >> exercise. >> >> Again, occupation is the name of the game. >> >> Ron >> >> *********��*********** >> >> Unsubscribe? Send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> >> In the message's *body*, put the following text: unsubscribe OTlist >> >> ** List messages are archived at: >> >> http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] >> >> *********��*********** >> ae> *********��*********** ae> Unsubscribe? Send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] ae> In the message's *body*, put the following text: unsubscribe OTlist ae> ** List messages are archived at: ae> http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] ae> *********��*********** *********��*********** Unsubscribe? Send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] In the message's *body*, put the following text: unsubscribe OTlist ** List messages are archived at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] *********��***********
