Introduction
What will be your reaction if you will find out that your friends, relatives, and loved ones are not going to live past the age of 50? The mortality question is an unsettling query, especially when you know someone who died prematurely. The realization that someone close to home has died without warning is an experience that no one wants to go through. The idea that someone died at the prime of life creates a terrible feeling that no one would wish on his greatest enemy. It does not require a scientist armed with a degree from Harvard University to ascertain that many Americans are obese. There is a high correlation between obesity and killer diseases. There are two primary outcomes when people are diagnosed as clinically obese: 1) Type 2 Diabetes and 2) heart attack.
Even in the early phase of the research process, I am beginning to see that this attempt to learn more about the linkage of sports and health is shaping into something that is of great value to me. I will play baseball, volleyball, and basketball for free. I mean, I do not need extra motivation to play ball games. It is great to know that there are extra benefits, as well.
A less than thorough research process has yielded positive results that encourage me to dig deeper. In the initial stages of the research process, I already discovered that this is a popular topic on the World Wide Web. It is also a hot topic of discussion in popular culture. For example, the New York Times and other major newspapers in America constantly reported about President Obama’s love for basketball. The Commander-in-Chief is a basketball fanatic. One of my favorite stories about his devotion to basketball was a story about his desire to encourage wounded soldiers that were rehabilitating at Fort McNair in Washington. President Obama utilized his considerable influence to assemble his own version of the Dream Team. He persuaded current and former professional basketball players to play in front of the recuperating servicemen.
His team included notable basketball figures like Lebron James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Magic Johnson, and Bill Russell (The Associated Press 1). I believed that the players had a great time with the president. Unfortunately, the media people were not allowed to enter the gym. Thus, there was no video about the said event. The president’s spokesperson said that Obama simply wanted to play. The idea that a sitting president has the strength and endurance to play a game of basketball is inspiring. The mere thought of John F. Kennedy or Bill Clinton playing basketball in the White House gym is enough to generate tremendous interest. But to consider an incumbent president playing with globally recognized players will certainly heighten interest regarding the sport. Obama’s love for basketball is not just for recreational purposes. I discovered that Michelle Obama, the president’s wife, established a non-profit undertaking called “Let’s Move” (Bumpus 1). The First Lady is encouraging Americans to increase physical activity.
As I compiled information regarding this subject matter, I uncovered interesting facts regarding the importance of sports to a person’s well being. Nutrition and wellness experts are in agreement that “Physical activity and exercise clearly prevent occurrences of cardiac events, reduce the incidence of stroke, hypertension, Type 2 Diabetes, colon cancer, breast cancer, osteoporotic fractures, gallbladder disease, obesity, depression, and anxiety” (Whaley 7). Without a doubt, the importance of physical activity has been well documented. It seems that a significant amount of scientific knowledge is available in the school library.
I also discovered a connection between the lack of physical activity and obesity. There is evidence to prove that the consumption of high-calorie food will result in obesity. It seems that food is fuel for the body. Therefore, when there is excess fuel, the body has to have a mechanism to deal with the excess. Based on an overview of information published on websites, it seems clear that playing ball games like baseball and basketball provides a way to burn excess fuel in the body. Excess fuel turns to fat, this explains why many people are overweight.
Personal Significance
It is important for me to know the link between the lack of physical activity and obesity. It is important to know the facts concerning this health issue because a simple search on the World Wide Web revealed that those who are obese are more likely to suffer from the symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes and heart failure. The desire to study this topic is the result of curiosity and concern for my loved ones.
Curiosity prompts me to learn more about the science behind the physical activity. Sports has always been an activity that I enjoy. It is something that gives joy to many people. In fact, it is a multi-billion industry in the United States. There are so many businesses that revolve around the world of sports. Thus, it is interesting to know that aside from the competition aspect of the game, there is a health benefit to it as well. It is good to know that sports are not only limited to the superficial aspect of life. I know people who play not only for enjoyment but also to look good. Without a doubt, games like running and swimming enable people to acquire a great physique. There are many young people who are obsessed with the idea of looking good through physical fitness. It is, therefore, interesting to know that sports provide other kinds of benefits aside from those that feed the ego.
Although curiosity about the scientific aspect of sports is a motivator, it can be argued that this is not enough incentive to read books, newspapers, and other helpful publications. The more powerful motivator for serious research is my concern for loved ones who may suffer the terrible blow of health problems due to ignorance. No one in my family is serious enough to figure out the importance of the physical activity. This research topic is a great fit for me because of the satisfaction it will bring. In my mind, I envision the day that I am confident of my understanding regarding the importance of sports to encourage physical activity. When that day comes, I will initiate several steps so that my family will engage in sports activities. I will try my best to persuade them to take this path. I will develop creative activities. I will create schemes that will compel them to try sports.
I believe that I will be able to develop a particular skill after completing this research project. I believe that at the end of this journey, I will be able to learn the skill needed to develop an exercise program. The exercise program that I will develop will not appear like an exercise program created to intentionally lose weight. The exercise program that I will create incorporates ball games. Therefore, it is a fun way to lose weight.
Broader Significance
This topic is not only significant for my family and me. As I went through my notes, I realized that the problem of premature deaths in the U.S. due to the lack of physical activity had reached crisis proportions (Blumenthal 1). It is also important to point out that aside from obesity and heart failure, there are related health and wellness issues as well. One of the most critical issues is depression. Aside from depression, overweight people have to deal with physical limitations. There are many overweight people who were active when they were younger. They love to play sports, but due to unexpected problems and the various challenges of life, they no longer have time to exercise.
If one will go beyond the individual level, it will be made clear that obesity is creating unnecessary pressure on the financial well being of this nation. The health issues related to obesity are unnecessary financial burdens for the American people. The U.S. government has to set aside enormous sums of money to deal with different health issues related to obesity. If Americans are not overweight, then there is no need to deal with diseases related to obesity. If there are fewer sick people to treat, then the government will save a great deal of money. Savings generated from reduced medical expenses can be utilized for other projects. The government requires greater financial resources to provide better services.
Research Aspect
I believe that it is relatively easy to find scholarly sources for this particular research project. A less than thorough attempt to uncover the science behind the impact of sports on health has yielded positive results. Therefore, a more focused approach and a deliberate attempt to gather more information regarding the link between sports and health will provide enough resources to develop the core message of this paper. The World Wide Web is already a proven mechanism to collect meaningful research materials regarding the said topic. I believe that there is a way to improve the collection of data for this research project. I believe that it is important to narrow down the search. Therefore, I will focus on the link between physical activity and obesity. I will also clarify that obesity is the root cause of serious health problems that shortens the life span of the individual. Therefore, it is important to lose weight.
Conclusion
I am fully aware of the fact that this initiative is easier said than done. I realized that the negative aspects of human nature would sometimes act as a hindrance. There will be times when the body simply refuses to go out and play. Thus, it is important to fully understand the benefits of playing sports and enhanced physical activity. It is only through the accumulation of knowledge that a person will be persuaded to do something beneficial. After learning these things, I will turn my attention to my loved ones. I will develop an exercise program for them. In the same manner, I will also incorporate sports into the said exercise program. I want to clarify that in order to apply the benefits of enhanced physical activity, people should embrace sports. I believe that playing ball games is a better alternative to boring exercises. I am looking forward to starting the research process. I am also excited to write down the discoveries that I will uncover along the way.
Works Cited
Blumenthal, Susan. Tipping the Scales on Obesity: How to Sell Health. 2014. Web.
Bumpus, Kirby. Let’s Move. 2015. Web.
The Associated Press. Obama’s Dream Team. 2010. Web.
Whaley, Mitchell. American College of Sports Medicine: ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription. PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2006. Print.