SPORTS AT NATIONAL UNIVERSITY

Maria Elena Medina y Javier Augusto Rojas

Publicado en Capital Letter No. 2

Octubre de 2002

The recreation and Sport Division of the National University has the mission of offering services and activities to the students to improve their health, life quality and how to spend their free time better. As a student of the National University, you can choose among others activities: Chess, football, climbing, weight lifting, Tennis, table tennis, aerobics, basketball, fencing, skating, athletics, judo, Karate.

There are two ways of joining a sports group:

Sport class: It is a theoretical- practical subject. It provides the student with basic knowledge of the science of sports and physical activities as alternatives to improve their quality of life.

Free course: For students who want to start or continue practising a sport in order to improve their fitness and reach a physical and mental balance.

Where can you do exercise at the University?

We have many places where you can practice your favourite sport: Polideportivo, Concha Acústica, Alfonso Lopez Stadium, tennis courts, football fields.

Benefits of Total Body Conditioning Training

Fat Burning: The increase in lean muscle mass that results from strength training is the key to your body's ability to metabolize glucose and thus burn fat. This occurs because muscle cells require more energy (and also burn more calories) than fat cells.

Body Composition Changes - As one ages, the body changes in composition as lean muscle decreases while fat deposits increase. Muscular strength also declines approximately 5% per decade for the untrained individual.

Bone Protection - Weight training helps the protection of bones. This is an important benefit, particularly for women, as decreased estrogen production causes bone demineralization. This in turn increases the risks of osteoporosis and the additional risk of incurring stress fractures. Muscles tugging on bone structure as a result of weight training facilitates bone regeneration.

Diabetes and Heart Disease - According to the literature, weight training seems to reduce the risk factors for adult-onset diabetes as well as heart disease.

Stretching offers many benefits, it helps the prevention of muscular aches, pains, and cramping, reduces the possibility of muscular soreness/fatigue after exercising. Decreases the possibility of causing a muscular injury, increases the muscles efficiency/effectiveness of movement. Great for relaxation.

Cycling: Cycling exercises related muscle groups such as the quadriceps and shins, both of which don't develop as rapidly as the calf muscles and hamstrings. Cycling also strengthens the connective tissue of the knee, hip, and ankle regions.

Swimming: Swimming is one of the best cross-training activities for several reasons. Swimming enables one to build muscular strength and endurance while improving flexibility. It is especially recommended for those who want to prevent injury, are pregnant, are recovering from an injury, are suffering from joint or bone conditions, or are overweight and want to exercise in a weightless envi¬ronment. It provides an excellent upper body workout. Additionally, water is considered a healing medium, providing a therapeutic effect for all muscle groups.

Recomendations: Choose the best for you and remember you should practice it at least three times a week and you need to be motivated, self disciplined and have good time-management. Be careful in your workout routine, never exceed your limits. It is vital that you obtain in¬struction in its correct use for the specific sports you select to receive the maximum benefit while minimising your chances of incurring injury. It is also very important that you perform these activities using good techniques and posture.