In 2009 Professor Mark Havitz found himself in an operating room having coronary angioplasty.
The lifelong runner had inexplicably suffered a heart attack. But his doctors said the attack was mild, and his high fitness level had likely protected him from anything worse. Three years later, despite the likelihood of permanent damage, Mark’s well-tuned heart was completely healed.
Mark’s lifelong dedication to exercise and healthy living had essentially saved him years of costly medical care, and saved the public purse from footing a hefty bill. “This is why we have to stop viewing fitness and exercise as expenses, and start seeing them as investments,” says Mark today.
Mark’s current research focus is on social and community barriers to health and well-being. Now on sabbatical after wrapping up two terms as Chair of Recreation and Leisure Studies, he’s studying former varsity athletes and what motivates them to continue athletic activity after graduation.
“I got the idea after running with my track-and-field mates at a high-school reunion. Some were still very active, while others hadn’t laced up since Grade 12. I wondered why, and how we could use that knowledge to motivate people to stay fit throughout their lives.”
Mark’s data suggests that those who continue to self- identify as runners are the ones who stick with it. But it also suggests that the availability of appropriate facilities is important as well. For many, aesthetics and trail surface determine if and where they will run, walk or cycle. In other words, if the only options are traffic-snarled roads or unplowed sidewalks, commitment tends to fall off.
“It’s not enough to put the onus solely on individuals,” concludes Mark. “Communities must provide the necessary infrastructure for lifelong physical activity, and we must press them to do so. It’s much more efficient than paying for healthcare and hospitals later on. And keeping fit is certainly preferable to rehab in terms of personal well- being and quality of life.”
