Benefits

Regular exercise and physical activity are extremely important and beneficial for long-term health and well-being.

Health Benefits of Exercise and Physical Activity:

• Reduce the risk of premature death
• Reduce the risk of developing and/or dying from heart disease
• Reduce high blood pressure or the risk of developing high blood pressure
• Reduce high cholesterol or the risk of developing high cholesterol
• Reduce the risk of developing colon cancer and breast cancer
• Reduce the risk of developing diabetes
• Reduce or maintain body weight or body fat
• Build and maintain healthy muscles, bones, and joints
• Reduce depression and anxiety
• Improve psychological well-being
• Enhanced work, recreation, and sport performance

Links to other Health Organizations:

    The American Cancer Society
    The American Heart Association
    The American Diabetes Association
    National Institutes of Health
 

Benefits of Aerobic Exercise:

• Increased maximal oxygen consumption (VO₂max)
• Improvement in cardiovascular/cardio respiratory function (heart and lungs)
  • Increased maximal cardiac output (amount of blood pumped every minute)
  • Increased maximal stroke volume (amount of blood pumped with each beat)
  • Increased blood volume and ability to carry oxygen
  • Reduced workload on the heart (myocardial oxygen consumption) for any given sub maximal exercise intensity
• Increased blood supply to muscles and ability to use oxygen
• Lower heart rate and blood pressure at any level of sub maximal exercise
• Increased threshold for lactic acid accumulation
• Lower resting systolic and diastolic blood pressure in people with high blood pressure
• Increased HDL Cholesterol (the good cholesterol)
• Decreased blood triglycerides
• Reduced body fat and improved weight control
• Improved glucose tolerance and reduced insulin resistance

Benefits of Strength Training:

• Increased muscular strength
• Increased strength of tendons and ligaments
• Potentially improves flexibility (range of motion of joints)
• Reduced body fat and increased lean body mass (muscle mass)
• Potentially decreases resting systolic and diastolic blood pressure
• Positive changes in blood cholesterol
• Improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity
• Improved strength, balance, and functional ability in older adults

Courtesy of the Department of Kinesiology and Health at Georgia State University