asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to reports of fatalities among those who are unfit and accustomed to a sedentary life suddenly taking up jogging; and if he will issue a warning to such person to practise moderation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Jogging Practice.
2.
I have not been made aware of any reports of fatalities occurring specifically because of the behaviour referred to by the Deputy. I am, however, aware of a report which draws attention to the increased risk of attacks which jogging may precipitate in those who already have coronary heart disease.
I am conscious, as are all responsible bodies promoting health, that people should take exercise in moderation, having regard to age and medical condition. If a person is in any way worried about taking exercise, he should consult his family doctor. I am sure the Deputy will be aware that both the Health Education Bureau and the National Sports Council have emphasised both these points in their campaigns to promote exercise and sport.
Is the Minister not aware that in recent months there were a number of reports of people becoming seriously ill, and, indeed, dying because they suddenly took up this occupation, having previously led a sedentary life?
I am not so aware. I would not like the Deputy to succeed in creating an impression that jogging is in any way harmful. In fact it is entirely beneficial, and I would urge as many people as possible to take up this or any other suitable form of exercise. I mentioned in my reply that the emphasis should be on exercise in moderation having regard to the age and medical condition of the person concerned, but subject to that I should do nothing but encourage the undertaking of good sensible programmes of exercise by every section of the population.
Is the Minister aware that on Sunday 1 October, the Sport for All Day, an article in the Sunday Independent written by a medical doctor advised people in the middle age group to exercise moderation in taking up this occupation? It was that which I was anxious the Minister would emphasise.
That is what I am saying. Everybody should exercise moderation and ensure that the exercise programme which they undertake is suited to their age and medical condition. If any person has any doubt he should consult his physician, but there is no doubt but that a good sensible regime of exercise is desirable for everybody provided it is undertaken sensibly, with moderation and regard to the age and condition of the person concerned. I wish Deputy Boland would not attempt to create an impression that exercise is in any way detrimental to health and well-being. It is not. The thing we want to try to encourage more people to do is to engage in good, sensible, healthy exercise, sensible diet and avoid, as far as possible, those things in modern living which contribute to ill-health.
It was the fact that sensible exercise was not being advocated that prompted me to put down the question. Is the Minister aware that there was a well publicised event recently in which a number of people who previously had never gone jogging were provoked into participating, resulting in one of them collapsing physically and being displayed on the national television doing so? Is the Minister satisfied that that is good publicity?
I am sorry that Deputy Boland is adopting this irresponsible attitude. We have an enormous problem on our hands here trying to promote positive health preventive medicine, trying to get people to undertake sensible healthy regimes and adopt sensible healthy lifestyles. It is wrong and irresponsible to try to create any impression that there is something inherently dangerous in exercise; there is not. Exercise is good and is a natural thing to undertake. The only addendum I make to that statement is that it should be undertaken in moderation and related to the particular individual's physical condition and age.
That is the question, to ask the Minister to advocate moderation.
Is the Minister aware of anybody collapsing at the exercise referred to by the Deputy?
I am also aware of the fact that people die in bed.