Methodology of measurement, documentation and programming of optimal continuous workload with variable intensity - applications in sports medicine, physiotherapy, geriatrics, health-related training and sport for all

Abstract

Background Continuous effort can be defined as the activity of every muscle since the impulses of any intended movement aiming at implementation of a given goal result in an increase of heart muscle contractions beyond resting heart rate until the end of a given activity. The goal of this paper is the methodology of measurement and documentation of continuous physical effort with variable intensity. Material/Methods: Methods used in the study included the Delphi method, analysis of the literature and scientific documentation, participant observation, case study and designing elements. The analysis of over 3000 reports of researches performed by students of physiotherapy and recreation (n=855) during standard health-related training including those based on the exercises of safe falling and avoiding collisions (participant observation) was conducted in 2008-2012. Results: The considerable advantage of the methodology of measurement, documentation and programming of the workload presented herein is the possibility to express this variable with the use of universal index, referred to as LE and based on conventional units. The index can be used at any level of preliminary analysis i.e. from particular exercises and set of exercises, training sessions to microcycles, mesocycles, macrocycles and long-term cycles. Conclusions: The reduction of health promotion and physical activity mainly to walking, running, cycling or other simple forms of exercise may counterproductive in the longer term. That is, instead of achieving the ultimate goal of common physical activity we will achieve its negation.