This statement is known by all. But does everyone know what Health means?
To understand more let’s define Health.
As defined by the World Health Organization, Health is a state of complete
physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
Exercise has several beneficial effects on physical & mental health, improves
the quality of living and reduces the risk of chronic diseases.
Benefits of Exercise & Physical Activity
· Reduces risk of obesity
· Reduces risk of chronic diseases like; diabetes, blood pressure, heart
diseases, cholesterol and so on.
· Strengthen bones.
· Increased Muscle mass
· Improves the level of oxygen efficiency.
· Enhances the ability to carry out daily tasks with vigour and alertness,
without undue fatigue.
· Prevents the risk of falling and injuries in older adults.
· Increases the levels of Endorphins (natural pain killers), releases stress
and creates a feeling of well-being.
· Triggers the release of Serotonin and Dopamine hormones which helps
to improve mood and also aids in relieving stress, anxiety and
depression.
The list of benefits goes on, exercise has no side effects till it’s performed with
the correct technique and with a proper recovery period.
It acts as a medicine for most diseases but it is even better because exercise and
physical activity are preventative. Exercise is one of the most often prescribed
therapies for health and diseases. Recent research suggests that increasing
energy expenditure by exercising decreases the mortality rate. Physical
inactivity may lead to cardiac diseases, obesity and cancer. Hence it is evident
that exercise reduces the risk of chronic diseases as well as promotes healthy
well-being.
What type of Exercise should a diabetes patient do?
Resistance training and moderate intensity aerobic training have shown to be
beneficial to control diabetes. Moreover, resistance training has greater benefits
than aerobic training when it comes to glycemic control. Glycemic control is the
blood sugar level in a diabetic patient.
In conclusion, exercise is so beneficial that it shouldn’t be considered
anything less than medicine. Prominently observed it plays a role in
preventing and treating many diseases including commonly occurred
depression, anxiety, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, etc.
While exercising always keep in mind the volume and recovery, otherwise
unfavourable side effects may occur.
How much Exercise is needed to be called Physically Active ?
According to ACSM guidelines, a healthy adult aged between 18-65 years
should participate in moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity for a minimum
of 30 minutes for about 5 days per week for at least 3 months, or vigorous-
intensity aerobic activity for a minimum of 20 minutes for 3 days per week for
at least 3 months.
Adults should participate in muscle-strengthening activities that are moderate to
high intensity and must involve all major muscle groups for 2 days or more per
week.
Happy Exercising for a better living !
Hi
This is a wonderful article. Very insightful.