1. Exercise and Fitness Myths and Misconceptions
Module B: Lesson 3
Grade 12 Active, Healthy Lifestyles
Introduction
Given the health benefits of regular physical activity, we might ask why two-thirds of Canadians are not active at recommended levels. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, “Two-thirds of Canadians are inactive, a serious threat to their health and a burden on the public health care system” (Canada’s Physical Activity Guide to Healthy Active Living, “What Is It?”). This reality clearly points to the need to help Canadians become more physically active. There are barriers that keep Canadians from being, or becoming, physically active regularly. Understanding common barriers to physical activity and creating strategies to overcome them may help make physical activity part of daily life.
In this lesson students examine the common barriers to physical activity and determine which barriers are holding them back from being physically active. Students also determine ways to overcome those barriers.
References
For additional information, refer to the following websites:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Overcoming Barriers to Physical Activity.” Physical Activity for Everyone. 22 May <
Public Health Agency of Canada. Canada’s Physical Activity Guide for Youth. Ottawa, ON: Public Health Agency of Canada, Available online at <
---. Canada’s Physical Activity Guide to Healthy Active Living. Ottawa, ON: Public Health Agency of Canada, Available online at <
---. “What Is It?” Canada’s Physical Activity Guide to Healthy Active Living. 15 Dec <
For website updates, please visit Websites to Support the Grades 11 and 12 Curriculum at <
Specific Learning Outcomes
11.FM.2 Examine factors that have an impact on the development and implementation of and adherence to a personal physical activity plan. Examples: motivation, barriers, changing lifestyle, values and attitudes, social benefits, finances, medical conditions, incentives, readiness for change
11.FM.3 Examine and evaluate factors that affect fitness and activity choices. Examples: intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, personal interests, personal health, family history, environment, finances, culture, level of risk
Key Understandings
People encounter many personal and environmental barriers to physical activity.
It is necessary to develop self-understanding of own barriers to physical activity.
There are ways to overcome common barriers to physical activity.
Essential Questions
What are the differences between personal and environmental barriers?
What strategies worked best in overcoming your own barriers to becoming more physically active?

2. Myths and Facts
There are many myths and facts when it comes to physical fitness.
We are going to discuss some of the most common myths and discuss the facts that are important when improving one’s fitness.

3. “No pain, no gain”
Fact:
Exercise should never hurt. Muscle exertion/strain and muscle pain are different things.

4. “Muscle will turn to fat when exercise stops”
Fact:
Fat cells and Muscle cells are separate.

5. “Stretching prevents injuries”
Fact:
Warming up prevents injury, stretching improves range of motion

6. “A person cannot be fit and fat”
Fact:
Individuals can be overweight and have good cardiovascular health as long as they remain active and fit.

7. “Females will develop large muscle with resistance training”
Fact:
Only years of highly specialized and intense training (and possibly steroids and/or hormone manipulation) will increase muscle mass in women.

8. “Building muscle reduces flexibility”
Fact:
Important to weight train with a full range of motion. Also, incorporate stretching during the workout.

9. “During training, we can eat anything”
Fact:
Healthy lifestyles are dependant on being active as well as eating a balanced healthy diet.

10. “Spot” reducing is possible
Fact:
Overall body fat must be reduced to lose fat in any particular area

11. “Low-intensity aerobic exercise is the best way to lose fat”
Fact:
The higher the intensity, the more fat loss. The secret to weight loss is to expend more energy than you consume on a daily basis.

12. “Running a certain distance burns the same number of calories as walking the same distance”
Fact:
Running burns twice as many calories over the same distance.
Based on findings of a Syracuse University research study
***Actually, running will burn 4 times as many calories over the same amount of time.