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Doctor not always needed before starting to exercise
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Everyone's heard it: It's important to consult with a doctor before trying a new diet or exercise regimen. It's in the footnotes of every infomercial, magazine article, diet handout or meal plan. It's the go-to mission statement for any lifestyle change. But how important is it, really? That depends, according to professionals. "Unless you have some type of pre-existing health condition that requires you to check in with your physician, you really don't need to," says Colin Milner, CEO of the International Council on Active Aging. But it isn't just Milner's opinion that counts. The American College of Sports Medicine released an official statement last year declaring that consultations with a medical professional when beginning a new exercise regimen are "useful when clinically indicated, but are not recommended with universal screening." Experts almost can unanimously agree that exercise is important for people of all ages, especially those middle aged and older. An active lifestyle manages weight and decreases the likelihood of chronic illness, and is also extremely beneficial to cognitive function, according to a 2007 report from the ACSM. Best of all, it's mostly risk-free. "Eighty-five percent of people have at least one chronic health condition by the time they're 65, but many of those conditions are improved with exercise," says Milner. According to the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, "the health benefits of physical activity far outweigh the risks." So when is it important to get a consultation? According to Barbara Bushman, Ph.D., a Department of Kinesiology professor at Missouri State University, the ACSM guidelines suggest older adults do not require an exercise test prior to initiating a moderate physical activity program. But if an older adult wants to begin a vigorous intensity program and has risk factors -- like a family history of heart disease, cigarette smoking, obesity, hypertension or prediabetes -- then they are at moderate risk for cardiovascular disease and should have a medical exam first. As such, anyone will a full-on cardiac, pulmonary or metabolic disease, asthma, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, thyroid disorder, renal or liver disease should also see a doctor. Even if you don't fall into one of the above categories, Bushman says it's never a bad idea to speak with a doctor anyway. "I personally feel keeping open lines of communication with one's health care provider is a good thing," she says. Milner also advises a mindful approach to the mixture of certain medications, as that can play a role in exercise performance. "As we get older, so many of us are taking more than one medication, and the interaction between the two is having an effect," he says. He advises being open with doctors so they're aware of what's going on and can prescribe according to a specific lifestyle. For any older individual looking to start a new exercise program, Milner suggests taking it slow and starting with a solid comfort level. "A lot of people throw themselves into it," he says. "They go too hard, too fast. Just start off at a place that feels comfortable, and grow from there." 
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Today is Saturday, May 18, the 138th day of 2013. There are 227 days left in the year.
1863 -- 150 years ago: A large variety of children's wagons and gigs have arrived in thecity and are being sold at war prices.
1888 -- 125 years ago: All Rock Island retail houses, with the exception of a clothingstore and a jewelry store, have agreed to early closing hours during the summer months.The store will be closed at 8 p.m.
1913 -- 100 years ago: Baseball enthusiasts in Rock Island are attempting to raise$20,000 to keep the Island City Park open, despite the fact that the city has no franchise inorganized baseball this year.
1938 -- 75 years ago: The organization of a third rural young people's unit will beundertaken tomorrow night at the Milan Presbyterian Church, with Mrs. Mildred K.Wellman, home advisor, and Robert Smith, county farm adviser in charge.
1963 -- 50 years ago: Deere & Co. will begin a "big switch" on its telephone systemMonday morning. The extension numbers of all 1,600 telephones on the firm's EastMoline and Moline exchanges will be changed Monday morning.
1988 -- 25 years ago: East Moline's June Jamboree VI -- Nostalgia Days, will seemlike a '60s revival with the appearance of stars like Bobby Vee, Freddie Cannon, PeterNoone, Turtles, The Grass Roots and Lou Christie. This year's festival has beenexpanded to five days, June 22-26, at the Northeast Park complex.
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