KWASU Professor Highlights Importance of Physical Exercise for Holistic Well-being
In a captivating 15th Inaugural Lecture at Kwara State University (KWASU), Professor Ibrahim Laro Abubakar, a renowned exercise science and sports psychology expert, underscored the profound significance of physical exercise for human existence.
Delivering a lecture titled “Man’s Limitation of Himself Against the Potentials and Gifts from His Creator: A Psychological Perspective,” Professor Abubakar, from the Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education, Faculty of Education, KWASU, traced the origins of exercise to the very beginnings of humanity.
“When God created Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, He provided them with everything they needed, including the ability to move,” the professor explained. “This is why humans have always moved from one point to another in search of food, shelter, clothing, and protection, giving birth to the concept of exercise.”
Professor Abubakar emphasized that exercise is essential for a man’s healthy living, as it enables him to perform crucial roles such as protecting himself and hunting for food. “When well guided and graded, all these activities become modern exercises today,” he stated.
Highlighting the psychological dimension of exercise, the esteemed speaker underscored its profound effects on mental health, cognitive function, and overall well-being. “Regular physical activities not only promote emotional resilience, mood regulation, and stress management; it also enhances cognitive function, social interactions, self-esteem, self-concept and self-worth,” he said.
Drawing on extensive research, Professor Abubakar explained that exercise serves as a therapeutic intervention for various mental health disorders and contributes to the prevention of cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases.
Emphasizing the need for active participation in exercise, the professor recommended that individuals engage in at least 10 minutes to 1 hour of daily physical activities, such as walking, riding horses, cycling, and aerobics. He also encouraged the cultivation of positive habits like smiling, laughing, and maintaining a balanced diet.
Furthermore, Professor Abubakar urged the university authorities to prioritize the engagement of all staff and students in physical exercises on campus by creating more fitness and recreation centers. He also recommended that prolonged meetings be interjected with 10-minute stretching and walking breaks to promote active participation and concentration.
“Man is blessed beyond imagination; he is not made and created for restriction,” the professor concluded. “Hence, he must always be active; he should crave more positive desires that would promote activeness through engagement in positive thoughts, ensuring appropriate rest, relaxation, recreation, sleep, and quality food intake.”
The event was chaired by Vice Chancellor, Professor Shaykh Luqman Jimoh.
By PRNigeria
