Editor's note: Consult your doctor before starting any new exercise program. Stop immediately if you feel pain.
CNN
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If you ask young adults about the history of aerobics, they may be confused. After all, the concept of aerobic exercise has always existed in her under-50s. Ask anyone over the age of 50 the same question, and they might guess that the aerobics craze started with actress Jane Fonda, the creator of the popular movie .jane fonda workout The “'' series was introduced in 1982 and gained popularity. best selling VHS tapes forever.
However, the concept is aerobics It's a body conditioning system that boosts heart health, increases endurance, and reduces body fat, and was actually developed in the 1960s by physician and preventive medicine expert Dr. Kenneth Cooper. He also coined the term upon the publication of his book “Aerobics” in 1968.
Initially, Cooper was accused of promoting the movement.
“In the 1950s and 1960s, exercise was considered dangerous,” Cooper says. “I heard that the world was going to be full of dead joggers from now on. In the early days, I got a lot of bad criticism.”
Courtesy of Dr. Kenneth Cooper
Dr. Kenneth Cooper pioneered the concept of aerobics in the 1960s. At age 92, Cooper continues to work to encourage people to stay healthy.
That opinion quickly changed. Now 92 years old, Cooper continues to work hard to encourage people to be physically fit. He is the director of the Cooper Aerobics Center in Dallas, which he founded in 1970. The center is comprised of his six health and wellness enterprises, including medical clinics, and the Cooper Institute, a nonprofit research and education center.
Cooper is also the creator of the 12-minute run. Fitness Gram PACER A test that measures aerobic capacity and fitness. Millions of people around the world take these assessments, often during physical education classes at school.
Additionally, this fitness enthusiast has written more than a dozen books besides “Aerobics.” Study of 20,000 people Demonstrating improved fitness has been associated with lower rates of dementia, and his lifetime achievements have received numerous awards and recognition.
Cooper recently spoke to CNN about his thoughts on fitness and health in the 21st century world.
This conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.
CNN: What is one of the most positive developments you've seen in the fitness field over the past 50 years?
Dr. Kenneth Cooper: When we (Cooper and his wife, Mildred Cooper) wrote Aerobics for Women in 1979, we questioned whether it was ladylike for women to sweat. That's how bad it was back then.
Alex Davidson/Getty Images
Olympic track champion Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands celebrated as she crossed the finish line to win the women's race at the London Marathon in April.
One of the biggest revolutions is looking at how many women are now marathon runners. In the past, women were told not to run. I was told that my uterus would fall in and all sorts of other outrageous things. That didn't happen at all. If you look at the current number of marathon runners, almost half are women. That's one of the biggest changes I've seen.
CNN: Today, despite all the information available about the benefits of physical activity, many people remain sedentary. How big of an issue is this?
Cooper: What I have taught and preached all these years is that your health is your responsibility. It doesn't belong to the government, it doesn't belong to insurance companies, it doesn't belong to doctors. No drug can replicate the benefits of an active lifestyle.
We need to spread the word. Reported by WHO (World Health Organization) As of October 2022, there are 500 million fully sedentary people worldwide, costing $27 billion annually. We need people to understand that it is what they do for themselves from now on that determines how long they live and how well they live.
CNN: Why do you think so many people are ignoring this message?
Cooper: “TEMMPF” — No time, no energy, no motivation, no money. There's no place to exercise and it's not fun.
CNN: You are credited with helping bring physical education classes back into schools after many schools began eliminating them in the 1980s. How did this happen?
Cooper: It happened thanks to FitnessGram. Children who received the highest scores on the FitnessGram test were found to do better in school and have fewer absenteeism and gang problems than children in lower categories.It was front page news here in Texas too, and I helped pass it there. Senate Bill 530 In 2007, physical education became compulsory in Texas schools.
CNN: You talk about trying to make the world “cooperative.” What does that mean?
Cooper: So number one is to weigh between 18 and 25. BMI (body mass index) scale2. Get 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week. 3. Choose healthy foods. Number 4: Tobacco in any form is prohibited. Number 5: Control your alcohol. Number 6: Control stress in your life. Number 7: Have regular physical examinations. And #8, take supplements that are right for you.
CNN: How often do you exercise and what is your typical workout?
Cooper: I exercise regularly 5 days a week. The other day I did 45 minutes on a recumbent bike and 10 minutes of circuit weight training on 3-4 machines. Then I went home and walked my two dogs. I average about 15 minutes and he usually walks about a mile to a mile and a half. That's why I incorporate at least an hour of cardio and weight training at least five days a week.
CNN: Do you really need that much exercise at 92 years old?
Cooper: Fitness is a journey, not a destination. You have to keep doing that for the rest of your life. You can't just get it and keep it.
Melanie Rajicki McManus I'm a freelance writer specializing in hiking, travel, and fitness.
