By Angela Wilson | UAB Community Health & Human Services Intern

Engaging in physical activity on a regular basis is one of the most important things you can do to improve your health.   Many people do not realize the tremendous benefits that physical activity provides to the body.  Not only does it help with weight management, but it also improves brain health, strengthen bones and muscles, and reduces the risks of diseases (CDC, 2020). 

Physical activity is movement that consumes energy and works your muscles. Many people may think that physical activity has to be traditional activities such as jumping jacks or running on a treadmill, but physical activity is expressed in many ways including dancing, swimming, yardwork, yoga, riding a bicycle, aerobic exercise, and even ascending and descending stairs in your home. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends getting at least 150 minutes a week of moderate physical activity.  This calculates to 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week.  Being physically active can benefit everyone regardless of age, shape, ethnicity, size, or shape (CDC, 2020).

Heart disease and stroke are the two leading causes of death in the United States, and getting the proper amount of physical activity can significantly lower the risks for these diseases (CDC, 2022). The heart is a muscle that needs exercise (like all our other muscles).  Engaging in physical activity allows the heart to pump blood throughout the body freely, without straining and maximizes its optimal efficiency.   Physical activity promotes insulin sensitivity and helps control glucose levels, thereby lowering the risk of Type 2 Diabetes. Also, as people get older, they lose muscle mass and strength.  Muscle-strengthening exercises (such as lifting weights, push-ups, sit-ups, squats, and working with resistance bands), helps you maintain muscle mass and keeps your bones and joints healthy. This allows you the ability to be physically active and mobile.  Lastly, physical activity can help keep your cognitive skills crisp by improving your thinking, learning, and judgment.  It can also help with anxiety, depression, and improve the quality of sleep. 

Now that you know a few of the benefits that regular activity provides, what are you waiting for?  Let’s Get Physical (Olivia Newton John music playing)! So what do you do to exercise or improve your fitness? What activities do you regularly enjoy? Leave your comments below and join us on Facebook here.

References:

Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Benefits of Physical Activity. (2022). https://www.cdc.gov