Improving Health With Physical Activity

By La Plata Physical Therapy, Inc.

La Plata Physical Therapy, Inc.

. http://www.laplatapt.com/

More Weight Control, Nutrition & Exercise Articles

Improving Health With Physical Activity

Ladies, let's get up and get moving! For the last six years, it has been my pleasure to coach many women from adolescence to mature ages about the benefits of increasing activity.

Many of the women I meet express their increased interest in taking care of themselves because they have been a caretaker for someone else and now is their time.

Other women express that they have been working very hard independently and are seeking the proper guidance without getting lost in the gym or getting injured.

If neither of these descriptions fit you, you have at least read an article, listened to news reports, or heard a physician encourage you to add or continue exercise for improved general health and wellness.

Over the years, I have noticed that women are very conscientious about continuing their personal awareness of mental and physical well-being for a healthier lifestyle. Here are a few reminders of why women are encouraged to add or continue routine exercise activities in order to preserve and care for our unique and beautiful bodies.

Pelvic Floor activities are especially important for the female anatomy in preventing future problems or caring for current issues with the urinary, productive, and bowel systems.

Weight bearing activities are very important in increasing bone density and balance as well as decreasing fall risk and sedentary lifestyle.

Non-weight bearing activities provide lower stress levels on the spine, hips, knees, ankles and feet, promoting tolerable exercise for those individuals battling pain during weight-bearing exercise.

Though exercise in a pool is weight bearing, you may want to explore water aerobics or exercising in a pool with a submerged treadmill for reduced weight activities as an option to help transition from non-weight bearing to weight bearing on land.

Strengthening activities also promote increasing bone density, muscular endurance, muscle strength, blood flow, oxygen saturation, and caloric expenditure.

Cardiovascular activities improve bone density (walking is a great way to improve bone density), muscular endurance, muscle strength, heart health (including blood pressure and cholesterol), pulmonary function, and caloric expenditure.

Balance activities are essential in a well-rounded routine and will help promote increased bone health and spatial awareness.

Flexibility activities are also essential in a well-rounded routine and encourage a less rigid body.

Overall, even a small increase in your physical activity level will reduce the risk of osteoporosis, falls (hip fractures), heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, muscle weakness, depression, certain types of cancer, and weight gain.