Exercise and Life Quality

Leave a comment

By Terrie Johnson | UAB Community Health & Human Services Intern

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

Regular exercising is a crucial component of a healthy lifestyle since it improves physical and mental health, reducing the risk of chronic diseases and affecting overall well-being. Aside from weight loss and muscle building, exercise has several benefits that improve life quality. This blog post focuses on the impacts of regular physical activity on physical and mental health that can enhance the quality of life.

Physical activity and regular exercises have numerous benefits for physical health beyond muscle building and weight loss. In particular, regular exercising reduces the risk of chronic diseases and conditions, including high blood pressure, heart-related issues, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and breathing problems (Marques et al., 2018). Exercising also improves movement coordination and strengthens muscles and bones, reducing the chance of physical injury. Moreover, physical activity enhances the immune system, making people less susceptible to infections and diseases. Physical activity is a crucial aspect of a healthy lifestyle due to its positive impact on physical health.

Aside from positively impacting physical health, exercising enhances lifestyle by improving mental health. Regular exercise efficiently reduces anxiety and depression symptoms by stimulating the synthesis of endorphins, chemicals associated with happiness (Wang et al., 2021). Moreover, regular physical activity improves productivity during the daytime and sleep quality at night. Another benefit of exercising is that it can distract a person from everyday stressors, letting them clear their mind. Furthermore, group physical activity can enhance social connections, help find new friends, or help spend more time with family. These advantages of regular exercise can help a person improve and maintain their mental health.

Regular exercise is a powerful tool that can significantly impact a person’s health and overall well-being. The benefits of physical activity for physical and mental health cannot be overstated so that it can improve life quality. By making exercise a daily routine, a person can boost their energy levels, reduce stress, mitigate the risk of chronic diseases, and even enhance social connections. Why not start regularly exercising today?

References

Marques, A., Peralta, M., Gouveia, E.R., Martins, J., Sarmento, H., & Gomez-Baya, D. (2018). The Association between Physical Activity and Chronic Diseases in European Adults. European Journal of Sport Science 20:9, 1268-1276. DOI: 10.1080/17461391.2017.1400109

Wang, L., Sun, Y., Zhan, J., Wu, Z., Zhang, P., Wen, X., Ge, S., Han, X., & Lu, L. (2021). Effects of Exercise Therapy on Anxiety and Depression in Patients With Coronary Heart Disease: A Meta-Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Study. Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, 8:730155. DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.730155

Reducing the Risk of Heart Disease

Leave a comment

By Reginia Dodson, Intern and UAB Community Health and Human Services Student

Photo by Mikhail Nilov on Pexels.com

 

Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States, and the African American population is disproportionately affected by this disease. African Americans have a higher incidence of heart disease and a higher mortality rate from heart disease compared to other racial and ethnic groups. Several factors contribute to the higher incidence of heart disease among African Americans. These factors include socioeconomic status, lack of access to healthcare services, genetic predisposition, and lifestyle factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity (American Heart Association, 2021).

Light exercise is any activity that raises your heart rate and breathing but still allows you to carry on a conversation. Examples of light exercise include walking, cycling, swimming, and gardening. These activities can have numerous benefits for heart health. For instance, light exercise can help to lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and improve insulin sensitivity (American Heart Association, 2018). All of these factors are key contributors to the development of heart disease.

Several studies have demonstrated that light exercise can reduce the risk of heart disease. One study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, followed 24,000 women for 11 years and found that those who engaged in light physical activity, such as walking, had a 30% lower risk of developing heart disease compared to those who were sedentary (Manson et al, 2002). Similarly, another study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that light exercise, such as brisk walking, can significantly reduce the risk of developing heart disease (Kujala et al, 2003). Light exercise can also provide other health benefits, such as improving mental health, reducing the risk of obesity, and improving overall physical function (Mayo Clinic, 2018).

In conclusion, physical activity is an essential component of overall cardiovascular health, and light exercise can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease. Walking for as little as 30 minutes a day, five days a week, can reduce the risk of heart disease. Light to moderate physical activity for as little as two and a half hours per week can also provide health benefits. By incorporating light exercise into our daily routines, we can reduce our risk of heart disease and improve overall health outcomes.

References

 American Heart Association. (2021). American Heart Association Recommendations for Physical Activity in Adults and Kids. https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/fitness-basics/aha-recs-for-physical-activity-in-adults

 American Heart Association. (2018). Physical Activity Improves Quality of Life.

 Manson, J. E., Greenland, P., LaCroix, A. Z., et al. (2002). Walking Compared with Vigorous Exercise for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Events in Women. Journal of the American Heart Association, 107(24), 2999-3004.

 Kujala, U. M., Kaprio, J., Sarna, S., et al. (2003). Physical Activity and Other Health Behaviors in Men and Women: The Finnish Twin Cohort. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 37(6), 512-518.

 Mayo Clinic. (2018). Exercise: 7 Benefits of Regular Physical Activity.