Allow The Sale of Fitness Equipment
Allow The Sale of Fitness Equipment
The Issue
ALLOW THE SALE OF FITNESS AND GYM EQUIPMENT!
The South African Government allows the sale of non-essential items yet restricts the sale of health-benefiting item such as health equipment.
For most people in South Africa (and across the world) the gym and equipment therein is necessary to stay healthy - this includes those who have gone off of prescription and chronic medication, such as Diabetes etc., and have now been placed back on their medication as a result of their deterioration health (as a result of the stringent lock-down regulations).
Exercising is not only limited to those with aesthetic goals but also for those who use it as a form of mental health, frustration-release as well as the much needed benefit of excess stress-release. Exercising also forms part of the elderly's routine to stay healthy, mentally sharp and cognitively focused. Exercise also leads to a healthier immune system, and thus the ability to combat virus and bacterial infections.
Even though the lock-down has allowed the citizens of SA to exercising through walking, running and cycling between the hours of 6 - 9 am, many still cannot utilize this form of exercise related to their ability and disability.
SA has a large majority of athletes who compete in both paid and unpaid capacities - these are NOT only soccer, rugby or cricket. They are athletes in all sorts of Sport who cannot obtain the equipment to continue their sport and thus are losing years to decades worth of training.
Here's the science:
According to the study 'Exercise for Mental Health' (1)
The following has been observed in those who frequently partake in regular exercise:
improved sleep
Increased interest in sex
Better endurance
Stress relief
Improvement in mood
Increased energy and stamina
Reduced tiredness that can increase mental alertness
Weight reduction
Reduced cholesterol and improved cardiovascular fitness
----
As for the methamphetamine addiction in South Africa... as well as other drug-related issues faced by many South Africans today (2)
"Methamphetamine (MA) abuse results in a variety of harmful changes in mood states and cognitive function, together with declined physical health and quality of life. Recent studies highlighted the therapeutic potential of physical exercise on MA addiction. Physical exercise improves emotional state and general health conditions, enhances cognitive function, reduces relapse rate, and facilitates abstinence, thereby improves the overall quality of life of the drug users. This review summarizes the present situation of physical exercise on MA-dependent patients with both animal and clinical population results."
----
Cancer
"Endometrial cancer survivors are at higher risk for suffering from challenges to physical quality of life, and findings from this study suggest that increasing physical activity may alleviate some of these problems." These problems include physical health, pain, depression and anxiety and somatic stress. (3)
----
A few last points, exercise (especially some sort of resistance training) has seen diabetic patients leave medication behind, has helped smokers quit their habits or at least alleviate the tension of the addiction (as well as those who are alcohol-addicted) and has aided in the lives of those who live in situations of domestic abuse (or are the perpetrators themselves) (4) (5)
Sources:
(1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1470658/
(2) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6997340/
(3) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6537149/
(5) https://www.charlotteobserver.com/living/health-family/article9002258.html
The Issue
ALLOW THE SALE OF FITNESS AND GYM EQUIPMENT!
The South African Government allows the sale of non-essential items yet restricts the sale of health-benefiting item such as health equipment.
For most people in South Africa (and across the world) the gym and equipment therein is necessary to stay healthy - this includes those who have gone off of prescription and chronic medication, such as Diabetes etc., and have now been placed back on their medication as a result of their deterioration health (as a result of the stringent lock-down regulations).
Exercising is not only limited to those with aesthetic goals but also for those who use it as a form of mental health, frustration-release as well as the much needed benefit of excess stress-release. Exercising also forms part of the elderly's routine to stay healthy, mentally sharp and cognitively focused. Exercise also leads to a healthier immune system, and thus the ability to combat virus and bacterial infections.
Even though the lock-down has allowed the citizens of SA to exercising through walking, running and cycling between the hours of 6 - 9 am, many still cannot utilize this form of exercise related to their ability and disability.
SA has a large majority of athletes who compete in both paid and unpaid capacities - these are NOT only soccer, rugby or cricket. They are athletes in all sorts of Sport who cannot obtain the equipment to continue their sport and thus are losing years to decades worth of training.
Here's the science:
According to the study 'Exercise for Mental Health' (1)
The following has been observed in those who frequently partake in regular exercise:
improved sleep
Increased interest in sex
Better endurance
Stress relief
Improvement in mood
Increased energy and stamina
Reduced tiredness that can increase mental alertness
Weight reduction
Reduced cholesterol and improved cardiovascular fitness
----
As for the methamphetamine addiction in South Africa... as well as other drug-related issues faced by many South Africans today (2)
"Methamphetamine (MA) abuse results in a variety of harmful changes in mood states and cognitive function, together with declined physical health and quality of life. Recent studies highlighted the therapeutic potential of physical exercise on MA addiction. Physical exercise improves emotional state and general health conditions, enhances cognitive function, reduces relapse rate, and facilitates abstinence, thereby improves the overall quality of life of the drug users. This review summarizes the present situation of physical exercise on MA-dependent patients with both animal and clinical population results."
----
Cancer
"Endometrial cancer survivors are at higher risk for suffering from challenges to physical quality of life, and findings from this study suggest that increasing physical activity may alleviate some of these problems." These problems include physical health, pain, depression and anxiety and somatic stress. (3)
----
A few last points, exercise (especially some sort of resistance training) has seen diabetic patients leave medication behind, has helped smokers quit their habits or at least alleviate the tension of the addiction (as well as those who are alcohol-addicted) and has aided in the lives of those who live in situations of domestic abuse (or are the perpetrators themselves) (4) (5)
Sources:
(1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1470658/
(2) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6997340/
(3) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6537149/
(5) https://www.charlotteobserver.com/living/health-family/article9002258.html
Petition Closed
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Petition created on 24 May 2020