A minimum of 60 minutes of moderate physical activity is recommended for everyone every day. Research shows higher levels of physical activity are associated with lower mortality rates for both young and old. Regular physical activity (cardiorespiratory fitness) decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease, prevents or delays the development of high blood pressure, helps prevent obesity, is associated with a decreased risk of colon cancer, lowers the risk of developing diabetes, and relieves the symptoms of depression and anxiety. Weight bearing exercise is important for maintaining normal muscle strength, joint structure and function, and is essential for normal skeletal development and maintaining peak bone mass.
In addition to improving health and quality of life, physical fitness for scuba diving:
Improves transportation of oxygen to muscles
Reduces amount of air used
Extends dive time
Increases physical endurance and reduces fatigue
Facilitates carrying less weight
Improves mental acuity
Reduces the risk of decompression sickness (DCS)
Improves agility on boats and uneven terrain
Improves comfort and movement on the surface and underwater
Improves fin-kick efficiency and diving performance
FitDiver® Blogging Above and Below
Why ScubaFit®?
As scuba divers we complete training through certifications, we practice and demonstrate our skills and follow safety protocols. We are reminded of the inherent risk of sport diving every time we sign our medical release and liability forms. Many of us can share times when something unexpected happened during a dive and we were able to handle it because of our experience. We can also share the circumstances of dives where events did not go as planned, and only fortuitous circumstances or the actions of another diver, dive master or instructor made the positive difference. In these moments we especially see the evidence for the individual responsibility of an adequate level of competency and preparedness essential to scuba diving.
It is my opinion, as a fitness professional and scuba diver, one of the most significant individual responsibilities for prevention and preparedness of illness and injury in diving is physical fitness and good health. With a desire to learn what the diving industry has to offer on the subject, I have voraciously read and researched everything I can find regarding physical fitness and diving. My initial discovery reveals, while there is some level of available information along with consensus that physical fitness is important to diving, at best it is superficial in specific applications that match the health profile of our diving community. Perhaps this is because the benefits of fitness have grown parallel to the diving industry. My goal is to bring the two together with a long-lasting positive affect.
Copyright 2007-2012, ScubaFit®, FitDiver® and DiveFit™ , all rights reserved, Gretchen M. Ashton, CFT, SFT, SFN, NBFE, Owner
Use of images, graphics, text or fitness training recommendations contained on these pages without prior written authorization by Gretchen M. Ashton, Owner of ScubaFit®, FitDiver and DiveFit™, is prohibited.
Trademark registrations and applications for ScubaFit®, FitDiver® and DiveFit™, are standard character and are protected with broad rights. The use of the term "scuba fitness" or any variations of the words ScubaFit®, FitDiver® and DiveFit™, to promote, instruct, describe, conduct, advertise, and/or discuss exercises and fitness, which has not been exclusively developed by ScubaFit®, FitDiver® and DiveFit™, or owner, Gretchen M. Ashton, CFT, SFT, NBFE, for any purpose including website / database / RSS Feeds / Blogs / Forums / SEO use is considered an infringement due to likelihood of confusion and dilution of brand identity.
Disclaimer: This information is intended for educational purposes, to promote exercise and foster discussion. It is necessary to seek professional medical evaluation and clearance before beginning any exercise program. Further, it is well-advised to seek professional fitness instruction when engaging in new physical activity.
