Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 15, 1995 TAG: 9506150019
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-8 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Gardening is moderate, and sometimes strenuous, exercise that incorporates many important elements of accepted exercise regimes, such as stretching and stance, repetition and movement, and even resistance principles similar to weight training, while expending calories. Gardening provides an adequate and challenging workout, but it is not as stressful to the body as other exercise options, such as jogging or aerobics. It is still important to warm up muscle groups by properly stretching before gardening, and it is imperative to use proper techniques for lifting objects, bending, or carrying.
Also, unlike many exercise options, you can become involved in what you are doing and still take time to smell the roses!
In a recent study by Barbara Ainsworth and associates, exertion values were assigned to human physical activities of all kinds. These values are based on the ratio of the associated metabolic rate for the specific activity divided by the resting metabolic rate. These studies show that an individual expends just as much energy performing some gardening tasks as they would participating in recommended exercise routines.
Effort expended in gardening activities:
1.5 - Watering lawn or garden.
2.5 - Applying fertilizer or seeding lawn, mowing lawn with a riding mower.
3.5 - Trimming shrubs or trees with a power cutter.
4.0 - Raking lawn, sacking grass and leaves, planting seeds, shrubs.
4.5 - Mowing lawn with a power mower, weeding, cultivating garden; planting trees, operating snow blower, trimming shrubs or trees manually.
5.0 - Carrying, loading, or stacking wood; hauling branches; digging sandbox; laying sod.
6.0 - Shoveling snow by hand, chopping wood, mowing lawn with a hand mower, gardening with heavy power tools, light shoveling (less than 10 pounds per minute).
Effort expended during other activities:
0.9 - Lying quietly, reclining, sleeping.
1.5 - Sitting, knitting, sewing.
2.3 - Walking, shopping.
3.0 - General carpentry, bowling.
3.5 - Walking, moderate pace on a level, firm surface.
4.0 - Bicycling leisurely, water aerobics; fishing.
4.5 - Heavy or major cleaning, golf.
5.0 - Softball or baseball, hunting, stationary bicycling.
6.0 - Aerobics, swimming.
7.0 - Jogging.
8.0 - Non-game basketball.
Gardening is an excellent way to divert the mind from work, family conflicts or other issues, therefore relieving stress and providing mental relaxation. Gardening is a relaxing activity, great for unwinding after a difficult day at work, especially when gardening on a small, personal scale.
Keeping plants in good health satisfies the human instinct to nurture and provide care. Gardeners are rewarded for their efforts when the plants they have pampered and coddled flower, produce beautiful fruit, and maintain a healthy appearance.
by CNB