Brief workouts

The editorial “Brief workouts count” (Sept. 5) was timely especially when there are a growing number of couch potatoes and a change in lifestyles with the advent of the computer age. The message conveyed being very important, it should reach all. If anyone cites a lack of time as a reason for his/her physical inactivity, it is a false excuse.

K.D. Viswanaathan,Coimbatore

It was amazing to learn that even a short bout of 15 minutes of exercise everyday could actually lengthen one's lifespan. Perhaps workouts contribute to less than 40 per cent of one's well-being, with the rest being factored in using conditions like nutrition, genetic predisposition, lifestyle and sleep/rest. Talking about rest or recuperation, it is critical to any workout regimen regardless of the person's objective to have a toned body, increase muscular mass or even exercise just for the sake of it. It is thought that professional athletes/bodybuilders take ample rest for the body to recover/grow.

Panachayil Jacob Varughese,Thiruvananthapuram

As physical inactivity is one of the leading risk factors for mortality, community programmes should be organised at all levels of governmental agencies to motivate people to exercise daily. The Health Ministry should take the lead.

K.R.C. Nair,

Thiruvananthapuram