The Benefits of Exercise

Many people like to get in shape for the summer, exercising is perhaps the best way to stay in shape all year round. However, exercise is not only good for our physical appearance, it’s also good for our physical and mental health.

According to website www.nutristratergy.com, some of the physical health benefits include the prevention of:

Heart Disease and Stroke.
Daily physical activity help’s prevent heart disease and stroke by strengthening your heart muscle. Exercise also lowers your blood pressure, improves blood flow, and increases your heart’s working capacity.

Type 2 Diabetes.
Exercising can help to prevent and control this type of diabetes by reducing body fat.

Obesity.
Physical activity helps to reduce body fat by building or preserving muscle mass and improving the body’s ability to use calories. When physical activity is combined with proper nutrition, it can help control weight and prevent obesity.

Back Pain.
By increasing muscle strength and endurance and improving flexibility and posture, regular exercise helps to prevent back pain.

Osteoporosis.
Regular weight-bearing exercise promotes bone formation and may prevent many forms of bone loss associated with ageing. When it comes to physical activity benefiting mental health the the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) suggests that The following are common psychological benefits gained through exercise:
 
Improved Mood.
Reduced stress as well as an improved ability to cope with stress Improved self-esteem Pride in physical accomplishments Increased satisfaction with oneself Improved body image Increased feelings of energy Improved in confidence in your physical abilities Decreased symptoms associated with depression. As people experience these psychological benefits, it is likely that they also will be motivated to continue exercises so that they continue to receive these benefits.

How much exercise is needed to produce those effects?
Even a brief walk at low intensity can improve mood and increase energy. As little as 10 minutes of aerobic exercise can have a positive effect. For long-term benefits, you should exercise 3 times a week for 30 minutes per session at a moderate intensity. Programs longer than 10 weeks work best for reducing symptoms of depression.

Sources: Nutristrategy
Applied Sport Psychology