What are the benefits of exercise?
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Dr. Michael Roizen answered:There are a couple reasons why exercise is so important. For one, any amount of physical activity lowers both systolic (the pressure being exerted when the heart contracts; the first or top number) and diastolic (the pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest; the bottom or second number) blood pressure, which are the most important factors in arterial aging. It lowers LDL cholesterol, raises HDL cholesterol, and decreases inflammation, among other benefits—even just walking a few extra minutes a day.
Working any muscle strengthens it, so we shouldn't be surprised that the heart muscle gets stronger from being periodically stressed, and the exercise may also strengthen blood vessels by forcing them to dilate and perhaps make them more elastic. If you haven't exercised in a while, start with walking until you can do weight lifting, and then add some kind of activity—cycling, swimming, or using an elliptical trainer to elevate your heart rate (running chronically often stresses your joints too much). By adding strength training and then stamina training, the average 55-year-old man becomes eight years younger in RealAge, and a 55-year-old woman drops 9.1 years.
Another way exercise can help you is by reducing stress, which is one of the greatest agers of your body.
But perhaps the most important reason to exercise is that it can help prevent you from ballooning up to the size of a two-bedroom condo. This is critical because if you're seriously overweight, you significantly increase your risk of heart disease. Think of it this way: The loss of even 10 percent of your body weight will significantly improve your overall and cardiovascular health and can make you nine years younger in real age.
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There are a couple reasons why exercise is so important. For one, any amount of physical activity lowers both systolic (the pressure being exerted when the heart contracts; the first or top number) and diastolic (the pressure in the arteries when... More -
UnitedHealthcare answered:The benefits of exercise include:
•Can help keep weight under control
•May help to improve blood cholesterol levels
•May help prevent or control high blood pressure
•Helps to prevent bone loss
•Increases muscle tone
•Boosts energy levels
•May help you manage stress and relieve tensionAlways check with your doctor before beginning any exercise program.
The benefits of exercise include: •Can help keep weight under control•May help to improve blood cholesterol levels•May help prevent or control high blood pressure•Helps to prevent bone loss•Increases muscle tone... More -
Dr. Dean Ornish answered:Regular, moderate exercise reduces inflammation in the body, and also reduces the incidence of tiny strokes that can impair your ability to think clearly. In addition, levels of beneficial neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine are higher in those who exercise. These help reduce depression, elevate mood, and help you focus better.
Here are some of the highlights of exercising:
- Controls weight. Exercise raises your metabolic rate so you burn more calories. Regular exercisers even burn more calories while resting.
- Makes you feel happier. Elevates mood. Lessens the risk of depression.
- Makes you feel less hostility and anger.
- Makes you feel more resilient and better able to cope with life stresses.
- Makes you feel more self-confident; you enjoy greater self-esteem and a general sense of well-being.
- You have more energy for both work and play.
- Your joints are healthier, so you can move more easily and comfortably with less pain.
- Improves your sleep.
- Lowers your blood pressure; you may be able to get off medication.
- Lowers total cholesterol. Lowers LDL (“bad”) cholesterol.
- Lowers triglycerides. Increases HDL (“good”) cholesterol.
- Reduces the need for drugs.
- Increases your strength.
- Increases your flexibility.
- Increases your stamina.
- Improves your heart function. More blood is pumped per beat, carrying more oxygen to all cells.
- Improves muscle efficiency; your muscles work better.
- Lowers blood sugar, reducing the risk of diabetes.
- Reduces the risk of heart attack and of developing blood clots that trigger heart attack.
- Reduces the risk of stroke. Most strokes are caused by blood clots in the brain.
- Increases bone density so there is less risk of osteoporosis and fractures.
- Improves balance so there is less risk of falls and fractures.
- Decreases body fat and increases lean tissue/muscle mass.
Find out more about this book: The Spectrum: A Scientifically Proven Program to Feel Better, Live Longer,...
Regular, moderate exercise reduces inflammation in the body, and also reduces the incidence of tiny strokes that can impair your ability to think clearly. In addition, levels of beneficial neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, and... More -
Boston Women's Health Book Collective answered:The current recommendation is that we exercise moderately (walk briskly, bike, swim, or lift weights) for thirty minutes on most days of the week. Although the intensity and duration of a workout for optimal benefit are still being debated, it is clear that even this minimum amount has enormous health benefits and less than this minimum amount also has some benefits.
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Regular moderate exercise:
• Reduces high blood pressure
• Controls weight Lowers a risk for a heart disease (Physically inactive people are twice as likely to develop a heart disease as people who are regularly active)
• Lowers a risk for colon cancer and breast cancer
• Keeps bones, muscles, and joints healthy, easing arthritis and reducing frailty and incidence of falls and osteoporosis Lowers blood glucose and a risk for type 2 diabetesQUALITY OF LIFE
Regular moderate exercise:
• Improves mood and sleep
• Relieves stress, anxiety, and depression
• Boosts energy
• Improves self-confidence
• Makes you look and feel betterThe current recommendation is that we exercise moderately (walk briskly, bike, swim, or lift weights) for thirty minutes on most days of the week. Although the intensity and duration of a workout for optimal benefit are still being debated, it is... More -
The research states that exercise provides an enhanced mood (feeling more positive and better able to deal with situations that come up), more clear thought process (the ability to think more quickly and make better decisions), better sleep (falling asleep more quickly, longer periods of deep sleep and feeling more refreshed in the morning), reduced stress (things are less stressful and dealt with in a less stressful way), less anxiety (situations are less anxiety provoking and anxiety is dealt with in a more efficient way)and improves levels of depression (exercise improves mood alleviating one of the top symptoms).The research states that exercise provides an enhanced mood (feeling more positive and better able to deal with situations that come up), more clear thought process (the ability to think more quickly and make better decisions), better sleep (falling... More -
Kathy Shain - NASM Elite Trainer answered:There are many benefits to engaging in a regular exercise program. Here are some of the benefits:
-There is an increased blood flow to the brain and also an increase in levels of neurotransmitters. These changes can lead to a better self – image, thinking, stress control, decreased anxiety and depression, increase energy levels, improve sleep and decrease risks for stroke.
-There is an increase in heart rate and the amount of blood that is pumped with each heart beat. This results in an increase in heart size and amount of blood that remains in the heart. This leads to increased blood flow to the heart and to all the body’s organs. This healthier heart is at a reduced risk for heart disease.
-There is an increase in the amount of air that the lungs can take in and a reduced risk of colds and upper respiratory infections.
-There is a decrease in body fat.
-There is a decreased risk of colon cancer and certain other forms of cancer.
-There is increased energy produced in muscles. This increased in energy production leads to changes in the muscle cells that allow the cells to produce more energy.
-There is an increased sensitivity to insulin, which results in a reduction in type 2 diabetes.
-There is an increase or maintenance of muscle tissue.
-There is an increase in good cholesterol (HDLs).
-There is a decrease in triglycerides (fats in the blood).
-There is a reduced resting blood pressure.
-There is a reduced platelet stickiness (sticky platelets can form clots).
-There is reduced vessel inflammation (can cause damage to arteries).** Insel, Paul M, and Roth T. Walton. Core Concepts in Health. New York: McGraw-Hill,2008.
There are many benefits to engaging in a regular exercise program. Here are some of the benefits: -There is an increased blood flow to the brain and also an increase in levels of neurotransmitters. These changes can lead to a better self... More -
Beth Oliver answered:Simply put, every function of your body works better. Everything from digestion to brain function, metabolism and heart and bone health. Exercise also helps reduce stress and increases the production of the “feel good” endorphins, like serotonin. Exercising with a group, small or large, also fosters important social interaction and a sense of community.
Simply put, every function of your body works better. Everything from digestion to brain function, metabolism and heart and bone health. Exercise also helps reduce stress and increases the production of the “feel good” endorphins, like... More -
Pamela Fortner answered:Exercise increases the blood flow to working muscles, increases your energy level, can lower blood pressure, lower your resting heart rate, improves your self image, and boosts your self confidence. Exercise also promotes better sleep, strengthenes your heart and lungs, exercise helps you manage your weight, exercise helps fight chronic diseases like type II diabetes and high blood pressure, exercise improves your mood. Choose an activity you enjoy, get up and move and have fun. The fun factor will keep you motivated, and coming back for more.Exercise increases the blood flow to working muscles, increases your energy level, can lower blood pressure, lower your resting heart rate, improves your self image, and boosts your self confidence. Exercise also promotes better sleep, strengthenes... More -
Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum answered:Exercise has many beneficial effects. Beyond its overall effects on conditioning, weight loss, and decreased risk of heart disease and other degenerative diseases, exercise also raises endorphin levels. These are your body’s natural opioids and make you feel good (which is where the expression “runner’s high” literally comes from). In addition, exercise raises growth hormone. This is a critical hormone that drops as we get older. It is taken by many people to help them stay young. The problem is that it costs $12,000 a year to take growth hormone injections. Exercise is a much less expensive way to get the same effect. Other ways to raise growth hormone include getting deep sleep and great sex.
Exercise has many beneficial effects. Beyond its overall effects on conditioning, weight loss, and decreased risk of heart disease and other degenerative diseases, exercise also raises endorphin levels. These are your body’s natural opioids... More -
National Academy of Sports Medicine answered:There are many beneftis to exercise, both physically and psychologically. It helps keep you healthy by maintaining a strong body, mind and spirit. Exercise also helps diminish and alleviate existing health conditions. It allows people to sleep better, it's effective for depression, anxiety, and helps alter moods to positive levels. Physical activity provides biochemical changes in the brain, increasing the concentration of positive neuro chemicals such as endorphins and serotonin. Exercise is also positively associated with changes in brain wave activity allowing for calmer mental state.
From a movement standpoint - we don't move enough these days. Many of us sit behind a desk throughout the day and force our bodies to adhere to uncomfortable positions. Through proper exercise, we minimize the detrimental effects these static postures have on our bodies.There are many beneftis to exercise, both physically and psychologically. It helps keep you healthy by maintaining a strong body, mind and spirit. Exercise also helps diminish and alleviate existing health conditions. It allows people to sleep... More -
Debra Fulghum Bruce PhD answered:Here are some of the immediate and long-term benefits of exercise:
• Weight loss: It will be easier to lose weight and also to maintain your goal weight with daily exercise.
• Less pain: Reduced weight means a reduction in pro-inflammatory markers, which reduces pain. When you weigh less there is less pressure on painful muscles and joints.
• More energy: Aerobic conditioning boosts the amount of oxygen to your heart and muscles, which allows them to work longer. As your energy level increases, it will actually feel better to move around than to sit.
• Activities are easier: Daily living activities such as gardening, housecleaning or even carrying groceries from the car to your kitchen become easier when your body is fit. I have some patients who have fired their lawn services because they feel good again and enjoy being out-of-doors, working in their gardens.
• Greater flexibility: Flexible people have less risk of falling and being injured. You will carry your body with confidence and approach new situations without fear of tripping.
• Stronger bones and muscles: Physical impact and weight-bearing exercises help to keep bones strong and prevent osteoporosis (brittle bones) and painful fractures.
• Improved sleep: Exercise helps to increase the time you spend in deep “healing” sleep.
• Healthier aging: While research recently published in the Journal of the American Geriatric Society found that inactivity doubles the risk of mobility limitations as we age, daily activity has the opposite effect. In findings published in the journal Neurology, researchers concluded that exercise can slow cognitive declines meaning boomers’ minds can stay sharper longer.
Find out more about this book: Diet for a Pain-Free Life: A Revolutionary Plan to Lose Weight, Stop Pain,...
Here are some of the immediate and long-term benefits of exercise: • Weight loss: It will be easier to lose weight and also to maintain your goal weight with daily exercise. • Less pain: Reduced weight means a reduction in... More -
Ben Kaminsky answered:If exercise is done regularly and at a moderate intensity, any woman can enjoy the tremendous benefits of optimal health, a normal weight, and sexy, ageless skin that is not rough and irritated. Moderate exercise challenges the cardiovascular system, detoxifies the body, builds muscle and bone strength, and keeps you stay flexible so your joints can move in full range of motion with aging. Moderate exercise also increases blood flow to the skin and helps to increase cell oxygenation, nourish skin tissue and remove toxins and cell debris.
Find out more about this book: Beyond Botox: 7 Strategies for Sexy, Ageless Skin Without Needles or Surger...
If exercise is done regularly and at a moderate intensity, any woman can enjoy the tremendous benefits of optimal health, a normal weight, and sexy, ageless skin that is not rough and irritated. Moderate exercise challenges the cardiovascular... More -
SecondsCount.org answered:Regular exercise has amazing benefits. Remember that structured exercise is not the only way to achieve physical fitness: routine tasks count as physical activity too. Physical activity:
- helps you live longer and prevents many chronic diseases, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, abnormal blood lipid (cholesterol and triglyceride) profile, stroke, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and colon and breast cancers;
- improves cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness;
- raises your metabolism and helps you lose weight more easily (or eat more without gaining weight);
- helps reduce stress, anxiety, and depression and improve your mood;
- helps maintain brain function in older adults;
- helps with digestion and promotes regular bowel movements;
- increases bone density;
- helps you age more gracefully by maintaining your looks and your agility;
- improves sleep quality; and
- improves your overall quality of life.
Remember to talk with your physician before beginning - or making substantial changes to - an exercise program. Your physician can help you select appropriate exercises based on your medical history, current fitness level, and physical fitness goals.
Regular exercise has amazing benefits. Remember that structured exercise is not the only way to achieve physical fitness: routine tasks count as physical activity too. Physical activity: helps you live longer and prevents many chronic... More -
Staness Jonekos answered:Some benefits of walking: Burns calories; helps control joint swelling and pain from arthritis; lowers blood pressure (hypertension); lowers your risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes; reduces anxiety, boosting your mood; helps you sleep better; improves your self-esteem; walk with a buddy and socialize. Make time for walking, it can be relaxing and burn calories! Research has shown that when people exercise by walking, they walk 30% longer if they walk to music.
Some benefits of walking: Burns calories; helps control joint swelling and pain from arthritis; lowers blood pressure (hypertension); lowers your risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes; reduces anxiety, boosting your mood; helps you... More -
RealAge answered:If you can overcome the obstacles that leave your activewear gathering dust, regular physical activity provides an impressive array of health benefits, regardless of your size. Thirty minutes of moderate activity each day (or at least 4 or 5 days a week) can help to:
- Reduce high blood pressure
- Prevent heart disease
- Reduce risk of stroke
- Lower cholesterol levels
- Reduce total and visceral fat
- Improve cardiovascular function
- Reduce risk of colon cancer
- Prevent osteoporosis
- Reduce risk of developing type 2 diabetes and improve health outcomes for those with diabetes
- Reduce risk of depression, elevate mood
- Support restful sleep
- Reduce tension and increase energy
If you can overcome the obstacles that leave your activewear gathering dust, regular physical activity provides an impressive array of health benefits, regardless of your size. Thirty minutes of moderate activity each day (or at least 4 or 5 days a... More -
Dr. Ozgen Dogan answered:Exercise not only burns calories, it also increases your metabolism. That means after you've exercised and you're just going about your day, you're burning even more calories. Another wonderful benefit of exercise is that it reduces stress. Many nutritional bad habits are related to stress. You often hear stories like, "After my divorce I started putting on weight," or, "Now that I'm out of work, the scale has been creeping up." Many people overeat to suppress feelings of depression or failure. The endorphin rush that comes from exercising can be a great stress and depression buster.Exercise not only burns calories, it also increases your metabolism. That means after you've exercised and you're just going about your day, you're burning even more calories. Another wonderful benefit of exercise is that it reduces stress.... More -
Exercise is one of the most important things you can do to improve your levels of wellness. Regular exercise increases your energy levels, improves emotional and psychological well-being, and boosts your immune system. Regular exercise also prevents heart disease, certain types of cancer, stroke, high blood pressure, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and osteoporosis. At any age, people who exercise are also less likely to die from all causes than their sedentary peers.
Regular exercise is important!
Exercise is one of the most important things you can do to improve your levels of wellness. Regular exercise increases your energy levels, improves emotional and psychological well-being, and boosts your immune system. Regular exercise also prevents... More -
Dr. Michael T Murray answered:Benefits of regular exercise include:
Musculoskeletal System
Increases muscle strength and muscle mass
Increases flexibility of muscles and range of joint motion
Produces stronger bones, ligaments, and tendons
Lessens chance of injury
Enhances posture, poise, and physique
Prevents osteoporosisHeart And Blood Vessels
Lowers resting heart rate
Strengthens heart function
Lowers blood pressure
Improves oxygen delivery throughout the body
Increases blood supply to muscles
Enlarges the arteries that provide blood to the heart muscle
Reduces the risk of coronary heart disease
Helps lower blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels
Raises levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL), the "good" cholesterolBodily Processes
Improves immune function
Aids digestion and elimination
Increases endurance and energy levels
Increases insulin sensitivity
Promotes lean body mass; burns fat
Improves sexual function in both men and womenMental Processes
Provides a natural release from pent-up feelings
Helps reduce tension and anxiety
Improves mental outlook and self-esteem
Helps relieve moderate depression
Improves the ability to handle stress
Stimulates improved mental function
Induces relaxation and improves sleep
Benefits of regular exercise include: Musculoskeletal System Increases muscle strength and muscle massIncreases flexibility of muscles and range of joint motionProduces stronger bones, ligaments, and tendonsLessens chance of injuryEnhances posture,... More -
There is extensive scientific evidence suggesting that regular exercise offers major health benefits. According to the CDC, the failure to exercise regularly is a significant precursor to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer. Exercising on a regular basis is one of the most inexpensive and easiest measures a person can take in order to reduce their risk and/or delay the onset of serious illnesses.
Current opinion finds regular exercise to boost energy, encourage healthy sleep patterns and help individuals maintain a regular weight. All major medical organizations recommend exercise as one of the most important ways to stay healthy and recover after illness.
The American Heart Association recommends exercise for at least thirty minutes of continuous activity for at least three times a week as a way to help keep blood pressure low, and the American Cancer Association recommends exercise to keep cancer at bay.
The type of exercise is not as important as a consistent exercise schedule. Most experts today agree that burning calories should not be the goal of exercise; rather, the achievement of overall physical fitness is the important factor in remaining health. Increasing levels of physical activity even slightly may significantly benefit a person's health.
You should read product labels, and discuss all therapies with a qualified healthcare provider. Natural Standard information does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
There is extensive scientific evidence suggesting that regular exercise offers major health benefits. According to the CDC, the failure to exercise regularly is a significant precursor to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer. Exercising on... More -
Regular exercise not only can make you look and feel better, it can also help prevent and treat almost every imaginable disease and increase your life span. Numerous scientific studies show that exercise can play a significant role in preventing diseases and chronic conditions, including cancer, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, arthritis, and more. Research has also proven that exercise helps enhance brain function and independence in the aged. And combined with sensible nutrition, exercise could save billions in healthcare costs.Regular exercise not only can make you look and feel better, it can also help prevent and treat almost every imaginable disease and increase your life span. Numerous scientific studies show that exercise can play a significant role in preventing... More -
Dr. Edward Phillips answered:Strong evidence from hundreds of studies proves regular exercise strengthens your muscles, lungs, and heart. It lowers your risks for early death and serious health problems like heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, lipid imbalances, colon and breast cancers, and metabolic syndrome (a complex health problem marked by having at least three of the following risk factors: a large waistline, high blood pressure, high triglycerides, low high-density lipoprotein [HDL] cholesterol, and trouble regulating blood sugar). Staying active boosts mental sharpness in older adults and helps prevent falls that can lead to debilitating fractures and compromise independence. Getting enough exercise helps you avoid gaining weight and may help with weight loss when combined with a healthy diet.
Less compelling research suggests exercise improves everyday abilities in older adults—that is, being able to walk up stairs or through a store as you do your shopping, heft grocery bags, rise from a chair without help, and perform a multitude of other activities that permit independence or bring joy to our lives. It may help keep you from regaining weight you've managed to lose and may chip away at abdominal obesity, which plays a role in many serious ailments, including heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. Some studies have found that staying active may lower risks for lung and endometrial cancers. Weight-bearing activities, which work against gravity, may boost bone density and lower risk for hip fracture. And, finally, exercising during the day may help you sleep better at night.Strong evidence from hundreds of studies proves regular exercise strengthens your muscles, lungs, and heart. It lowers your risks for early death and serious health problems like heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure,... More -
Rose Reisman answered:Study after study indicates that exercise helps reduce the risk of serious diseases. Improving your heart rate brings several medical benefits:
- Lower blood pressure
- Lower bad cholesterol and more good cholesterol
- Reduced risk of obesity and weight loss
- Reduced risk of type 2 diabetes
- Reduced risk of heart disease and stroke
- Reduced effects of depression
- Reduced risk of certain cancers
- Reduced risk of osteoporosis
- Reduced effects of hormonal problems
- Improved digestion and bowel functioning
- Increased metabolic rate
Find out more about this book: Rose Reisman's Secrets for Permanent Weight Loss: With 150 Delicious and He...
Study after study indicates that exercise helps reduce the risk of serious diseases. Improving your heart rate brings several medical benefits: Lower blood pressure Lower bad cholesterol and more good cholesterol Reduced risk of obesity and... More
