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9.7: Text- Benefits of Exercise

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    59583
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    Longevity

    Exercise, even after age fifty, can add healthy, active years to one’s life. Studies continue to show that it’s never too late to start exercising and that even small improvements in physical fitness can significantly lower the risk of death. Simply walking regularly can prolong your life.

    Moderately fit people—even if they smoke or have high blood pressure—have a lower mortality rate than the least fit. Resistance training is important because it’s the only form of exercise that can slow and even reverse the decline of muscle mass, bone density, and strength. Adding workouts that focus on speed and agility can be especially protective for older people. Flexibility exercises help reduce the stiffness and loss of balance that accompanies aging.

    Avoiding Diabetes

    Diabetes, particularly type 2, is reaching epidemic proportions throughout the world as more and more cultures adopt Western-style diets (which tend to be high in sugar and fat). Aerobic exercise is proving to have significant and particular benefits for people with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes; it increases sensitivity to insulin, lowers blood pressure, improves cholesterol levels, and decreases body fat. In fact, studies show that people who engage in regular, moderate aerobic exercise (e.g., brisk walking, biking) lower their risk for diabetes even if they do not lose weight. Anyone on insulin or who has complications from diabetes should get advice from a physician before embarking on a workout program.

    Brain: Mood, Memory, Creativity

    In addition to keeping your heart healthy, helping with weight loss, and helping you live longer, regular exercise can also improve your mood and help keep depression and anxiety at bay. The following video explains why and challenges you to give it a try:


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    If you still aren’t persuaded, check out this slightly longer but excellent Tedx Talk, which describes how aerobic exercise can improve your cognitive functioning, memory, and creativity:


    An interactive or media element has been excluded from this version of the text. You can view it online here: http://pb.libretexts.org/colls/?p=452

    CC licensed content, Original
    CC licensed content, Shared previously
    All rights reserved content
    • Exercise and the Brain. Authored by: WatchWellCast. Located at: https://youtu.be/mJW7dYXPZ2o. License: All Rights Reserved. License Terms: Standard YouTube License
    • TEDxOrlando - Wendy Suzuki - Exercise and the Brain. Authored by: Tedx Talks. Located at: https://youtu.be/LdDnPYr6R0o. License: All Rights Reserved. License Terms: Standard YouTube License

    This page titled 9.7: Text- Benefits of Exercise is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Lumen Learning.

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