Physical Health vs. The Internet
Within our growing society comes advancing technology. Each year, we are presented with new technological devices. From wearable technology to innovative robots and self-driving cars that are supposedly designed for a more convenient and useful lifestyle. Part of the rise of technology is through the connection of networks, which comprise of what we call the internet. We spend so much time using our “high-tech” devices to access the internet, so that we are able to log-in on our social medias, play video games, or watch our favorite movies online.
The internet has become so easily accessible; we have them at our homes, schools, grocery and shopping stores, restaurants... everywhere! Internet usage has almost become our second job. It has made people more sedentary, meaning that we spend a lot of time sitting and not being active. Little did we know that there are consequences to using these devices that we don’t realize. According to Eysenbach et. al., there has been an association between leisure-time internet and computer use and physical activity, specifically relating to the prevalence of overweight and obese individuals (Eysenbach et al., 2009). Findings suggest that leisure-time physical activity is contrary to leisure-time internet and computer use. Individuals who did not use much of their time on the internet and computers averaged about 3 hours of physical activity, while individuals with both high and low leisure-time internet and computer use spent about five hours being sedentary (Eysenbach et al., 2009).
Furthermore, it is calculated that there are more than three billion internet users worldwide (Zach & Lissitsa, 2016). The internet truly offers us a great deal of opportunities that enhance our lifestyles. We use it for a variety of reasons like school, work, leisure, communication, etc. However, research also indicates that we, the users, have somewhat neglected some important aspects that could result in detrimental effects to our health and well-being, including physical risk factors. Shopping for example, can be done online nowadays. Much more physical activity would be done if we were to shop in person, as compared to being on our phones without even lifting a hand.
So how do we take care of our physical health when it has essentially become part of our daily lives? The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommends strength training to an exercise stimulus, as well as cardiorespiratory or aerobic exercise. Surprisingly, if you are a gamer, the chances are you are strengthening your muscles. According to this study, playing games is the only internet use that is correlated to physical activity (Zach & Lissitsa, 2016).