HWE 200 Week 2 Journal

Importance of a PAR-Q Questionnaire
The PAR-Q questionnaire is important because it helps one to decide whether or not they
are ready for an exercise program. It also helps one to define whether they need further medical
clearance before engaging in any form of exercise. It helps one to engage in exercise safely by uncovering potential health risks that could pose serious problems to the individual
exercising. It helps in eliminating potential risks, including heart attack or other cardiac events.
The questionnaire is effective in alleviating obvious exercise safety risks.
Importance of Assessing Your Beginning Fitness Level
Before beginning any exercise program, one needs to assess their fitness
levels. Assessment of fitness levels includes checking one’s flexibility, endurance, and strength.
Assessment of the fitness level gives one an idea of where they are supposed to start. By
establishing a starting point, one is able to identify where they will be once they accomplish their
fitness goals. Through establishing the beginning fitness level, one defines the exercises that they
will start as well as gauging the intensity of the exercises. Starting with intense exercises that do
not match the level of fitness can be a recipe for injuries. Assessment of the initial level of fitness
also enables one to evaluate the success of the fitness program. One sets goals based on the
initial level of fitness and evaluates whether they are achieving these goals as the program
progresses.
Results

WEEK 2 JOURNAL 3
I was able to complete the running exercise at 14:30 minutes. Based on the chart provided
and my age group, which is 40-49 years, my record was fair. My heart rate at the beginning of
the exercise was 60 beats per minute (Powers & Dodd, 2017). My ending heart rate was 100
beats per minute. I was also able to complete the 1-mile walk in 18:30 minutes. My initial
heartbeat was 65 beats per minute while I completed the exercise with a heart rate of 90 beats per
minute. Based on my age group, my record time was also average (Powers & Dodd, 2017). I am
not happy with the results. I feel that I can achieve a better score and become more fit with time.
One way I could improve on my scores is by engaging in regular physical exercise. Another way
I can improve on my scores is by enrolling at the gym and fitness center. Physical fitness can
alleviate the risk of getting various diseases. In so doing, physical fitness can help one save on
money that they would have spent seeking treatment. In addition, physical fitness contributes to
good mental health. My results from week 1 indicated that I was not fairing well in the
dimension of physical wellness. I believe that I will work on this and achieve better results.
Physical wellness affects emotional wellness. Without physical wellness, one may suffer from
various mental and emotional problems. These problems include stress and low self-esteem.

WEEK 2 JOURNAL 4

References

Powers, S. K., & Dodd, S. L. (2017). Total fitness & wellness, the Mastering Health edition (7th
ed.). Retrieved from https://redshelf.com