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The Importance of Exercise In The Maintenance Of a Long Healthy Life
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Thirty minutes of daily exercise which can be done as 10 minutes program thrice a day, can keep you fit and healthy.
Televisions, computer games, and electronic gadgetry have simply made us - Well Lazy!
Today when everything is available at the click of the button, children and adolescents have become couch and mouse potatoes leading to rise in inactivity and thus inviting overweight, obesity and other associated health problems.
Lets look at the benefits we are missing out on...
Exercise of any kind helps -
- Lowering body fat levels
- Building or preserving muscle mass
- Improving insulin sensitivity
- Increasing the body’s ability to use calories (better metabolic rate)
- Strengthens our cardiovascular system
- Aids in developing stronger bone structure
- Building musculature
- Strengthens immunity
- Helps in decreasing the frequency of cold, allergic reactions.
Daily exercise -
- Lowers blood pressure
- Raises HDL levels (good cholesterol)
- Lowers LDL levels (bad cholesterol)
- Increase blood flow to all body tissues
- Enhances the heart’s working capacity
- Builds stamina
- Helps in prevention of heart disease and stroke from the early age itself.
Most importantly, with exercise - reduction in fat levels and improvement in metabolism decreases the incidence of non insulin dependent (type 2) diabetes.
Exercise if done under guidance during pregnancy which is a period of physiological stress, strengthens heart muscles required for pushing during labor, aids in developing control over breathing thus making delivery easier. It improves spine strength, relieves backaches and thus helps in maintaining good postures. Regular exercise even reduces the chances of excessive weight gain and gestational diabetes. In addition to other benefits following a regular exercise routine during lactation quickly helps in gaining pre-pregnancy weight and shape.
Exercise for the elderly:
With the advancing age, wear and tear of the body surpasses the rate of repair especially in case of bones where demineralization takes place at a much faster rate than mineralization. Regular exercise such as brisk walk strengthens bones and promotes their growth reducing the risk of osteoporosis. It stretches the muscles and joints, improves flexibility and posture and prevents back pain. Exercise in old age increases skeletal muscle strength improving balance and coordination thus reducing the risk of injuries, especially fall injuries. (Nutrition For The Elderly)
Exercise releases endorphins (happy chemicals) in brain which reduce stress and anxiety and aid in sound sleep. Regular exercise reduces the pace of natural decline in physical, physiological and mental functioning and thus promotes healthy long life.
Maximizing genetic potential with appropriate physical and mental training is the major success determinant in sports. Besides all other benefits (increased heart’s capacity, improved stamina, concentration, flexibility, balance, coordination, strong musculature and bony framework), regular exercise helps the athlete in optimizing mental strength and physical power by improving specific skills.
Exercise along with sound nutritional practices is a powerful tool that can aid in fitness and create a more balanced and healthy lifestyle. Exercise improves both physical and mental health and making it a part of the daily routine improves the quality of life and gives a higher sense of well being.
So, quit the mouseclicks, skip the popcorn and TV, put on your walking happy feet and give your body a good workout.
By. Ritu Jain,
Dietitian, NutritionVista.com
Exercise calculator - NutritionTools- Calculate how many calories you burned today.
Reference: http://www.who.int/
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Geetanjali
writes:
Although, 10 minutes of exercise thrice a day appears to be a convenient option, if you are aiming for fat loss exercise for more than 25-30 minutes at one go is a better option. Mobolization and use of fat as a source of energy will occur only after 20 minutes of workout.
Added on
20 January, 2010
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