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The Importance of Physical Activity
"The first wealth is health." —Ralph Waldo Emerson
The
evidence is growing and is more convincing than ever! People
of all ages who are generally inactive can improve their
health and well-being by becoming active at a moderate-intensity
on a regular basis.
Regular physical activity substantially reduces the risk
of dying of coronary heart disease, the nation's leading
cause of death, and decreases the risk for stroke, colon
cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure. It also helps
to control weight; contributes to healthy bones, muscles,
and joints; reduces falls among older adults; helps to relieve
the pain of arthritis; reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression;
and is associated with fewer hospitalizations, physician
visits, and medications. Moreover, physical activity need
not be strenuous to be beneficial; people of all ages benefit
from participating in regular, moderate-intensity physical
activity, such as 30 minutes of brisk walking five or more
times a week.
Despite the proven benefits of physical activity, more than
50% of American adults do not get enough physical activity
to provide health benefits. 25% of adults are not active
at all in their leisure time. Activity decreases with age
and is less common among women than men and among those with
lower income and less education.
Insufficient physical activity is not limited to adults.
More than a third of young people in grades 9–12 do
not regularly engage in vigorous-intensity physical activity.
Daily participation in high school physical education classes
dropped from 42% in 1991 to 32% in 2001 (CDC, 2002).
Why Should I Be Active?
"It's easier to maintain your health than regain it." —Dr.
Ken Cooper
Physical activity can bring you many health benefits. People
who enjoy participating in moderate-intensity or vigorous-intensity physical
activity on a regular basis benefit by lowering their risk
of developing coronary heart disease, stroke, non-insulin-dependent
(type 2) diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, and colon
cancer by 30–50% (USDHHS, 1996). Additionally, active
people have lower premature death rates than people who are
the least active.
Regular physical activity can improve health and reduce
the risk of premature death in the following ways:
- Reduces the risk of developing coronary heart disease
(CHD) and the risk of dying from CHD
- Reduces the risk of stroke
- Reduces the risk of having a second heart attack in people
who have already had one heart attack
- Lowers both total blood cholesterol and triglycerides
and increases high-density lipoproteins (HDL or the "good" cholesterol)
- Lowers the risk of developing high blood pressure
- Helps reduce blood pressure in people who already have
hypertension
- Lowers the risk of developing non-insulin-dependent (type
2) diabetes mellitus
- Reduces the risk of developing colon cancer
- Helps people achieve and maintain a healthy body weight
- Reduces feelings of depression and anxiety
- Promotes psychological well-being and reduces feelings
of stress
- Helps build and maintain healthy bones, muscles, and
joints
- Helps older adults become stronger and better able to
move about without falling or becoming excessively fatigued
Can a lack of physical activity hurt your health? Evidence
shows that those who are not physically active are definitely
not helping their health, and may likely be hurting it. The
closer we look at the health risks associated with a lack
of physical activity, the more convincing it is that Americans
who are not yet regularly physically active should become
active.
Can Everyone Benefit From Physical Activity?
"Do it, move it, make it happen. No one ever sat their way
to success." —Unknown
The good news about regular physical activity is that everyone
can benefit from it (USDHHS, 1996).
- Older adults
No one is too old to enjoy the benefits of regular physical
activity. Evidence indicates that muscle-strengthening
exercises can reduce the risk of falling and fracturing
bones and can improve the ability to live independently.
- Parents and children
Parents can help their children maintain a physically active
lifestyle by providing encouragement and opportunities
for physical activity. Families can plan outings and
events that allow and encourage everyone in the family
to be active.
- Teenagers
Regular physical activity improves strength, builds lean
muscle, and decreases body fat. Activity can build stronger
bones to last a lifetime.
- People trying to manage their weight
Regular physical activity burns calories while preserving
lean muscle mass. Regular physical activity is a key
component of any weight-loss or weight-management effort.
- People with high blood pressure
Regular physical activity helps lower blood pressure.
- People with physical disabilities, including
arthritis
Regular physical activity can help people with chronic,
disabling conditions improve their stamina and muscle strength.
It also can improve psychological well-being and quality
of life by increasing the ability to perform the activities
of daily life.
- Everyone under stress, including persons experiencing
anxiety or depression
Regular physical activity improves one's mood, helps relieve
depression, and increases feelings of well-being.
To read the rest of this article from the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, please click here: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/physical/importance/everyone.htm
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