The peripheral nervous system has two parts: Somatic Nervous System Autonomic Nervous System The somatic nervous system is involved in both sensory and motor functions, serving mainly the skin and skeletal muscles. The autonomic nervous system activates internal organs, such as the lungs and intestines, and reports to the brain the current state of activity of these organs. In the somatic nervous system, afferent neurons carry messages from sense organs to the spinal cord, as you can see the diagram. Efferent neurons carry messages to, and activate, striated (grooved) skeletal ...

Just about everybody seems to be interested in weight control. Some of us weigh just the right amount, others need to gain a few pounds. Most of us “battle the bulge” at some time in our life. Whatever our goals, we should understand and take advantage of the important role of exercise in keeping our weight under control.  Carrying around too much body fat is a major nuisance. Yet excess body fat is common in modern-day living few of today’s occupations require vigorous physical activity, and much of our leisure time is spent in sedentary pursuits. Recent ...

The benefits of exercise are many, from producing physically fit bodies to providing an outlet for fun and socialization. When added to a weight control program these benefits take on increased significance. Physical Benefits We already have noted that proper exercise can help control weight by burning excess body fat. It also has two other body-trimming advantages: 1) Exercise builds muscle tissue and muscle uses calories up at a faster rate than body fat and 2) Exercise helps reduce inches and a firm, lean body looks slimmer even if your weight remains the same. Additional ...

Hopefully, you are now convinced that in order to successfully manage your weight you must include exercise in your daily routine. Here are some tips to get you started: 1. Check with your doctor first. Since you are carrying around some extra “baggage,” it is wise to get your doctor’s “OK” before embarking on an exercise program. 2. Choose activities that you think you’ll enjoy. Most people will stick to their exercise program if they are having fun, even though they are working hard. 3. Set aside a regular exercise time. Whether this means ...

Heart rate is widely accepted as a good method for measuring intensity during running, swimming, cycling, and other aerobic activities. Exercise that doesn’t raise your heart rate to a certain level and keep it there for 20 minutes won’t contribute significantly to cardiovascular fitness. The heart rate you should maintain is called your target heart rate. There are several ways of arriving at this figure. One of the simplest is: maximum heart rate (220 – age) x 70%. Thus, the target heart rate for a 40 year-old would be 126. Beginners should maintain the 60 percent ...