Exercise Benefits
Physical Fitness Provides Wide Range of
Health Benefits
Physical fitness and exercise is the foundation
of a healthy lifestyle. Regular exercise is a critical component in maintaining
and extending a disease-free life. For example, being fit and physically
active significantly reduces the risk of developing potentially fatal
illnesses, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer. Regular
exercise also helps to control weight, reduce high blood pressure
(hypertension); 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 hospital/doctor
visits, and medication-usage.
See also:
Benefits of Cardio Exercise
Benefits of Strength/Resistance
Training
How to Benefit from Exercise
The benefits of physical activity are easily
available. People of all ages who are generally inactive can improve their
health and well-being by taking regular moderate-intensity exercise, such
as 30 minutes of brisk walking,
five or more times a week.
Adult Physical Activity Levels
Despite the proven benefits of fitness and
physical activity, more than 50 percent of American adults do not get
enough physical activity to provide health benefits. 25 percent 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.
Physical Activity Levels of Teenagers
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 percent in 1991
to 32 percent in 2001 (Source: CDC, 2002).
Sources include:
American Medical Association
US Surgeon-General Report
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