The benefits of regular physical activity.
Whether it is recreational or competitive, physical activity is essential and benefits
total health throughout life.
As you become more physically fit, your overall health begins to improve as well.
Regular exercise has an extensive list of benefits.
Some of these benefits include:
Aids in
the prevention of disease- Pysical inactivity can lead to a number of degenerative diseases such as diabetes; regular
exercise can help delay and even prevent the onset of chronic illnesses.
Helps treat injury- Exercise
is used to treat physical limitations through exercise, stretching and conditioning.
Promotes restful sleep-
Those who participate in regular exercise tend to be more relaxed and burdened with less stress.
Promotes
optimal body composition- When participating in regular physical activity you use up more calories; therefore decreasing
the likeliness of gaining unhealthy weight.
Optimal bone density- Weight bearing exercise helps
to build and strengthen bones thus reducing your risk of developing osteoporosis.
Strengthens circulation
and lung function- Aerobic exercise helps to strengthen the heart and lungs and helps to lower risk of cardiovascular
disease.
Promotes self-confidence and decreases depression- Setting and achieving your goles help
increase self image and can promote positive well-being.
There are two types of exercise: |
| Aerobic exercise | Anaerobic exercises |
Aerobic exercises are those that help to reduce fat, these include
walking, running, swimming and bicycling.
Aerobic exercise increases the heart rate and breathing becomes heavier.
After about 20 minutes of aerobic exercise, the body begins to use its stored fat as fuel, hence the phrase "burning
fat". Regular aerobic exercide raises your body's metabolism and enables your body to use more calories, even when
you are at rest. | Anaerobic exercises help you to develop stronger muscles. These exercises involve
short bursts of force followed by periods of rest and include push-ups, crunches, pull-ups and weight lifting.
Anaerobic
exercises does not burn fat like aerobic exercise, but helps to build muscle. An increase in muscle mass complements aerobic
exercise by enabling you to use more calories.
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