A Don, Prof. Ayodeji Akeredolu, on Tuesday, advised expectant mothers to engage in moderate regular exercises, combined with healthy diet and lifestyle to increase their fertility level.
Akeredolu of Department of Human Kinetic, Sports and Health Education, Lagos State University, said this at the university’s 67th Inaugural Lecture in Lagos.
The title of the lecture is: “Exercise: Medicine for Healthy Living and Recipe for Good Life”.
He said there wasn’t anything intrinsic to exercise that could reduce fertility because the act could only have negative impact on fertility if one was not vigilant about maintaining healthy diet and lifestyle.
According to him, old myths about the falling uterus are sexist and false, as the only problem associated with pregnancy and exercise is energy deficit.
Akeredolu explained: “This means when you are burning more calories than you consume, developing an energy deficit is easier than many women realise.
“In 2010, the ancient myth of falling uterus was cited as reason why ski jumping was ‘not appropriate for ladies’.
“While the idea was completely ridiculous, women could run, jump, ski, bike and swim without worrying about their vital organs falling into their spandex.”
Akeredolu, however, noted that not all exercises were healthy, as over -exercising could cause infertility in women.
He said: “Women who exercise excessively were at risk of losing too much body fat. Body fat helps to produce estrogen in the body.
“Just as too much body fat causes hormonal imbalance, too little body fat can also cause irregular ovulation.”
According to him, women who want to conceive can use exercise to prepare their body for the changes that pregnancy brings and the physical changes of labour.
The professor said this was because regular exercise was good for both physical and mental health and beneficial to overall health and wellbeing.
He added that “if you are trying to get pregnant, you can help speed up conception by taking brisk walk or lazy bike ride but chances are that a major sporting event like a marathon will hinder it.
He said: “There is no reason not to exercise when you are trying to conceive. Normal exercise will not impede fertility and we all know it’s a component of weight control, making it key for optimum fertility as well.
“Exercise is good for you, just do it, infact, you are more likely to have fertility problems traceable to obesity and sedentary lifestyle than overdoing it.”
The don suggested that managements of institutions should make it compulsory for their workers to park their vehicles at designated areas and trek to their offices.
He noted that there was no excuse for anyone either young, old, busy, tired or in pretty good shape of any age not to exercise, except with few exceptions.
According to him, there are activities for the young, old and for those with
little time, as experts have recommended that everyone should get at least 30 minutes of moderately intense physical activity on all or most days of the week.
Akeredolu said: “Some best physical activities for your body don’t require the gym or running a marathon. These ‘workout’ can do wonders for your health.
“They will help keep your weight under control, improve your balance and range motion, strengthen your bones, protect your joints, prevent bladder control problem and even ward off memory loss.”
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