Health Benefits Of Exercise

By Ellie Sweum, PT

Gateau Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine

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Health Benefits Of Exercise

Diabetes is the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S. Obesity is the leading cause of premature, preventable death in the U.S., with an annual cost of more than 90 billion dollars to the healthcare system. There are approximately 58 million overweight Americans, 40 million obese Americans, and three million morbidly obese Americans with 78% of Americans not meeting the basic activity level recommendations and 25% who are completely sedentary. The American Heart Association estimates that high blood pressure affects approximately one in three adults in the U.S. Currently, one in four women and one in eight men over the age of 50 suffer from osteoporosis. Osteoporosis accounts for 70% of all fractures for people over the age of 45. Cancer caused just over 23% of all deaths in 2009.

Exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle, can prevent, manage, or lessen the affects of each of the previously mentioned disease processes. According to a 20-year follow-up study, regular exercise reduces the risk of dying prematurely. Researchers have found that exercise stimulates the formation of new brain cells responsible for memory and learning. Exercise can improve sexual function in both men and women and research has revealed that men who exercise regularly are less likely to have erectile dysfunction and impotence. Exercise is a powerful antidepressant and study after study has shown that regular exercise reduces the symptoms of depression.

Regular exercise makes your heart, like many other muscles of the body, stronger. A stronger heart and increased activity can reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease. Exercising can have a cholesterol lowering effect since it decreases LDL (bad) cholesterol and increases HDL (good) cholesterol levels. There is strong evidence that physical activity combined with weight loss and a balanced diet can result in a 50-60% reduction in the risk for developing diabetes and blood sugars are decreased with regular exercise. Weight control and obesity are serious concerns in our society. Exercise and a healthy lifestyle are critical to managing weight. Regular exercise also reduces the risk of stroke, increases muscle and bone strength, lowers blood pressure, and can help you get a better night's sleep.

With so much evidence supporting regular exercise, exercise and a healthy lifestyle should be a priority for everyone. Medically oriented gyms are opening to “bridge the gap between medicine and fitness” and to ensure that people are receiving the proper direction and supervision to maximize the benefits of exercise and get healthier.