TV > Exercise = Depression?

Not much surprise in this report that women who exercise and avoid television are less likely to become depressed. This according to a study recently published in the American Journal of Epidemiology. The study was part of the U.S. Nurses' Health Study. Of course the possibility remains that women prone to depression are also more likely to watch TV and to remain sedentary. The exact relationship between these behaviors and depression remains to be elucidated. However, other studies have indicated that physical activity lessens symptoms related to depression. Moreover, we do not need to be slaves to our predispositions, the vast majority of us are quite capable of taking deliberate measures to increase physical activity, and limit TV and other sedentary traps.

Enduring Brain Power

Does prolonged exercise expand grey matter? Or, do smarter animals tend to pursue more endurance activities? Recently, scientists demonstrated that larger brain sizes predicted higher maximal oxygen consumption (VO₂ max) rates across a number of mammalian species. As an endurance addict I would like to believe that this exertion not only improves my cardiovascular health, but enhances my thinking and creativity as well.

Are Bad Genes a Good Excuse?

So your sedentary habits are wreaking havoc on your body, your self esteem and your prospects for a long and productive life. Then, you read that the reason you cannot get yourself off the couch and out the door for a walk (let alone a run) is because you might not have the right combination of genes? Indeed, that is the underlying message of a recent media report of a study by investigators at McMaster University in Canada. How do you respond?

A.) Life isn't fair. Now pass me the channel changer and the bag of chips

B.) Fine, I can blame my parents for this too

C.) Great, now I might be able to finally secure those disability payments and get a handicapped parking tag

D.) OK, I'm not going to an Olympian but I can still have an active and healthy life and be a good example for my kids

While the above mentioned research findings may shed some light on why some people are more physically capable than others, it says little if anything about who will benefit from a physically active lifestyle. As far as science knows at this time it is truly the rare individual who will not benefit from regular exercise. Until someone finds the gene that predicts that 30-60 minutes of brisk walking per day is detrimental to physical health, does not limit chronic diseases, or causes deterioration of mental faculties it is advisable for virtually everyone to continue to work on improving their fitness. Moreover, physical activity should be valued by society in general as it not only helps the individual making the exertions but almost certainly pays dividends for society at large in terms of reduced health care costs, improved work productivity and in reinforcing beneficial family and public behavioral norms. So before you use your genes to excuse your procrastination, remember the sage counsel of G.K. Chesterton "Anything worth doing is worth doing badly."

The Once Proud Game

Image is everything baby? Well, that's how the AP writer Ralph D. Russo describes the recent trend for bizarre college football uniforms that has taken the sport by storm. Actually, he had it right earlier in the piece, "garish." Sadly, it is an all too fitting summation of the shallow, narcissistic, short attention spanned, and frankly bored society we have become. Who can create the next big outrage? Indeed, who can out-Quack the Ducks? Oregon ostensibly being the first and most notable practitioner of this dress-up Sally phenomenon. More disturbing still is fact that the adults entrusted to mold and mentor these young athletes are actually enabling their humiliation while disgracing the great tradition of collegiate football. Can you see Bear Bryant, Bo Schembechler or Ara Parseghian bowing to similar adolescent stunts? These giants of the game were committed to developing football players and men. They not only worked to inspire a passion for excellence and teamwork, they also demanded respect. Respect for teammates, players that had gone before them and for those who would follow. Respect for themselves and respect for the game. If the Nittany Lions ever emerge in Happy Valley sporting pink pearl helmets, metallic sheen shoes and gang banger friendly jerseys (plenty of black please) then we will know that it is time for JoePa to depart. Unfortunately, many of today's coaches, ADs, and likely even University Presidents are less interested in instilling the manly virtues than in selling shoes and t-shirts. I have always loved college football above the NFL because of the passion and tradition. The golden domed helmets, Penn State unadorned, and Tommy Trojan upon his white steed endure the generations. Without tradition, college football becomes a cheap imitation of the professional game with the athletes merely less talented posers vying for 15 second spots on Sportcenter or a brief trend on Twitter. Whoopy-doo, maybe we can paint the Heisman trophy a different color every year too. I have to admit though that I do get some measure of consolation thinking about how these modern day trend setters will someday have to endure doubling over fits of hilarity by their offspring as images of their father are replayed on whatever passes for YouTube in 20 years. Best of success to whomever plays the Ducks this week.

Hold the Couch Potato Salad

An Australian study published in the Aug 15 online edition of the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that excessive TV viewing negatively impacts lifespan on a par with smoking. The research involving more than 11,000 men and women, 25 years of age or older, indicated that TV viewing costs the average Australian 1 -2 years of life. However, since people do not spend the same amount of time watching TV the statistic provided to help readers "get their head around" the data was that each hour of viewing was estimated to hasten demise by 22 minutes. It is likely that the effect of TV viewing is largely due to the fact that reclining in front of the tube (or flat panel) translates into less physical activity even if that activity would have been just puttering around the house or yard. In addition, other bad habits such as munching snack foods are more likely to occur while watching Austrailia's Got Talent, and you can well imagine what smoking while watching late night infomercials for exercise equipment will do to you. Unfortunately, there is also evidence that participating in a purposeful structured exercise routine may not fully protect against the effects of too much TV. Therefore, even if you go to the gym 2 or 3 times a week to work up a sweat collapsing on the couch with the remote in hand when you get home may counteract at least some of your well intentioned exertions. Therefore, it is advisable that you limit the sedentary trap of TV viewing to a minimum. The effects of managing a blog on lifespan have yet to be determined.

Chrysalis and Foresight

I attended the Northwest premiere of the Ilustra Media film Metamorphosis: the beauty and design of butterflies last night at the Seattle Art Museum with my wife, sons and nephew. The work not only conveyed the many wonders of butterflies, including the complex life cycle shared by all species and the extraordinary migration of the Eastern Monarch, but revealed the enormous hurdle metamorphosis presents to scientists who insist on approaching biology as a mere materialist exercise dependent on natural selection alone. It is particularly evident that the requirement of foresight is the aspect of metamorphosis for which Darwinism has no answer. Moreover, the caterpillar to butterfly lifecycle presents an extreme case of irreducible complexity that cannot be accommodated by a gradual accumulation of numerous random mutations. Metamorphosis will be premiering in a number of other regions in the coming months and is a wonderful opportunity for curious minds of any age.

Of Autobots and Nazis

Wesley J. Smith discusses "transhumanism" in an article at The Center for Bioethics and Culture Network website posted yesterday. What in the world is transhumanism I thought? It sounds like one of the science fiction action flicks featuring "autobots" and "decepticons" my kids want to bring home from the video store. Using the terminology of its advocates, Smith describes transhumanism as "a Utopian social movement and philosophy that looks toward a massive breakthrough in technological prowess, known as 'the singularity,' that will open the door for transhumanists to 'seize control of human evolution' and create a 'post human species' of near immortals." While C.S. Lewis pointed out that "you have never talked to a mere mortal," I am certain transhumanists do not see it that way. They obviously reject the central tenant of Christianity that we are created in God's image. Certainly, their proposed methods for achieving Utopia, including genetic engineering, pre-natal selective abortion, artificial wombs, and leveling animal and human rights, are contrary to the Imago Dei. Indeed history tells this ugly story before, albeit with more rudimentary science. The Third Reich had very similar goals and they were not averse to eliminating whoever (mostly orthodox Christians) stood in their way. Yet, do average Christian citizens trying to raise a family, remain employed and pay the bills really have time to consider and confront every fringe movement? Maybe not, but transhumanism represents the extreme spear tip of today's materialist secular biomedical thrust. If Christian scientists, physicians and lay people will not stand in the gap and offer viable, life affirming alternatives who will? Churchill spelled it out when the Nazi's were on the march. "Hitler knows that he will have to break us in this Island or lose the war…But if we fail, then the whole world, including the United States, including all that we have known and cared for, will sink into the abyss of a new Dark Age made more sinister, and perhaps more protracted, by the lights of perverted science." Transhumanists know they will need to break us and sweep away the remnants of the Judeo-Christian ethics that once permeated our society to achieve their monstrous goals. Unfortunately, that was all too easy after the German church was Nazified. Are we any less vulnerable?