Is exercising really good for you?

Professor Greg Whyte, who recently carried out a study into the effects of training, claimed that some exercise could "do more harm than good". For example, thousands of men who play Sunday league football were likely to suffer crippling injuries in old age.

He will present his findings at the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences' (BASES) annual conference at Wolverhampton University next week, as part of the debate: 'Exercise: Is it really good for you?'

Prof White, director of science and research at the English Institute of Sport in Manchester, will argue that exercise can increase morbidity and mortality.

He has examined the negative impact of chronic training on health and mortality, including the harmful effects of chronic exercise on the body including skeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, immune and hormonal systems.

Moderate activity 'good'

Prof Whyte said: "I know that I am being extremely contentious by concentrating on the negative consequences of exercise but the research that has been done provides some startling findings.

"From club level to elite athletes, there are a lot of incidents to suggest that sport is very dangerous. You only have to go down to your local A&E to see the place packed out with 'weekend warriors' who are suffering breaks, joint injuries and trauma injuries to their head and face.

"If exercise is taken to extremes by people then exercise can do more harm than good."

He added: "There are cases of elite female athletes who restrict the calories they take, then lose their menstrual function and get low bone density which can have a profound effect on their health.

"There are numerous examples of spinal injuries amongst rugby players, as well as data on osteoarthritis and footballers suffering problems from long periods of playing, which can later reduce their quality of life. Then there are the incidents of sudden deaths associated with cardio-vascular problems and asthma.

"The bottom line is that moderate physical activity is good for you but exercise of the kind done by elite sportsmen and women can be detrimental to your health."

Exercise and work

Among the dozens of new research being unveiled by international researchers at the three day conference at Wolverhampton University is work on the use of music, music videos and hypnosis in sport and how exercising can influence performance at work.

Earlier this year a report from business advisory firm Deloitte claimed that more than 2.7 million sick days could be saved each year if the number of people exercising for at least 150 minutes a week was significantly increased.

Currently only 48% of the population exercise for the recommended 30 minutes per day, five days a week, compared to the Government's target of 70% by 2020.

Increasing the number of people doing the recommended amount of physical activity to 70% could reduce sick leave by almost 3 million days and boost the economy by £487 million, according to the report.