11 Health Benefits of Physical Exercises
Most studies have shown the health benefits of carrying out physical exercises. People who are likely to benefit more from physical activities are those who are not active and suddenly become active. People should increase their physical activities day by day for better results. There are several benefits of doing physical activities (Blair, Cheng & Holder, 2001). These benefits of physical exercise include lowering possible coronary heart disease, stroke, cholesterol, high blood pressure, bone joint problems and diabetes. Benefits of exercise is also shown to improve weight control, mental health and encouragement for those attempting to quit smoking. Studies on exercise of overweight children provides the greatest benefits for living long healthy lives. This article outlines the health benefits as a result physical exercise.
1. Coronary heart disease
The risk of acquiring coronary heart disease reduces when individuals make themselves active by doing physical activities regularly. Inactive people are at more or double risk to suffer a heart attack compared to active people. If a person is already suffering from heart disease, he/ she are supposed to do more physical activities to control the heart problem from worsening. Patients should join physical activity programs where they will be supervised by specialists when doing the exercises to help them do it safely (Blair, Cheng & Holder, 2001).
2. Brain stroke
Active people are less likely to suffer from a stroke. According to the studies carried out, those people who walk briskly and frequently reduce the chances of stroke compared to inactive people. People should walk at least 3 miles weekly to reduce the chances of being attacked by stroke.
3. Cholesterol
Physical activities help to raise levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol. This cholesterol helps in protecting the cardiovascular system from cardiovascular disease. This also prevents patches of atheroma appearing. (Golding, Myers & Sinning, 1989).
4. High Blood Pressure
Regular physical activities can help to control high blood pressure in those people who suffer from high blood pressure. This can also prevent people from being affected by high blood pressure. By preventing high blood pressure, individuals will not be at high risk of getting heart disease and stroke (Golding, Myers & Sinning, 1989).
5. Diabetes
Regular physical exercises reduce the chances of developing type 2 diabetes. People should increase the amount of exercises to lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Patients who have been diagnosed with impaired glucose tolerance should do regular physical activities to prevent the situation from developing into diabetes. Physical activities improve the control of diabetes in those who are already suffering from the disease (Blair, Cheng & Holder, 2001).
6. Weight control
Excess weight leads to several health issues and regular physical activities help to burn fats that results to obesity. This help to maintain healthy weight therefore preventing several health issues.
7. Bone and joint problems
The pulling and tugging on the bones by the muscles during activity stimulates bone-making cells and this strengthens the bones. This means that physical activities help people to grow strong and be able to sustain themselves even in old age as they keep moving since their bones are strong therefore being independent (Golding, Myers & Sinning, 1989).
8. Mental health
Regular physical exercises help boost energy levels, ease stress and improve general well-being. This also assists in reducing anger and sleep better (Golding, Myers & Sinning, 1989).
9. Memory loss and dementia
Physical activities help to prevent some types of dementia. Exercises will help people who have dementia mobile for long.
10. Smoking cessation
Regular physical activities help people who intend to quit smoking. This reduces the desire to smoke and helps aleviate common smoking withdrawal symptoms.
11. For children
In children physical activities help them to grow healthy. If children do not do physical activities, they can become overweight or obese which affects their health. Inactive children do not develop well since they are affected psychologically (Blair, Cheng & Holder, 2001).
References
Blair, S. N., Cheng, & Holder, J. S. (2001). Is physical activity or physical fitness more important in defining health benefits?. Medicine and science in sports and exercise, 33(6; SUPP), 379-399.
Golding, L. A., Myers, C. R., & Sinning, W. E. (1989). Y’s way to physical fitness: the complete guide to fitness testing and instruction. YMCA of the USA