Health Benefits of Physical Activity - Research Paper Example

Health Benefits of Physical Activity The necessity of physical exercise in health and wellness has gained popularity in the world. The increase in chronic diseases that related to lifestyles has led to campaigns pushing people towards healthy living. The relationship between the lack of physical activity and the high incidence of chronic diseases has been overwhelming. High profile reports have been written to support the message that exercise is good health (Edlin and Golanty 140). Professionals have outlined how exercise helps in the prevention and management of a plethora of diseases. The paper explores the benefits accrued to physical activity. The health benefits of physical activity include management and prevention of chronic diseases like obesity, hypertension and diabetes. The significance of exercise in health and wellness is being preached in media and government institutions. Medical professionals have cited a lack of physical exercise as one of the factors that has caused an increase in the number of people suffering from chronic disease. The belief is that the world can save so much money used to treat these diseases and conditions if the population can embrace physical activity. The push is serious in developed nations because of the role played by technology in discouraging physical activity. In essence, physical activity is any form of body movement made possible by skeletal muscles that involve the use of additional energy that is above the standard energy required for the rest. Exercise is a planned set of physical activities that is guided by goals. The objective of exercise is the achievement of physical fitness. Physical fitness is characterized by muscle strength, flexibility and body composition. Physical fitness is made up of characteristics that enable one to perform physical activity. The reduction and management of cardiovascular risk factors have been partly attributed to physical activity. Enhanced physical activity helps in treat cardiovascular risk conditions like increased blood pressure, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, increased triglycerides concentrations, low levels of high-density lipoproteins and obesity. Inactive lifestyle has been cited as one of the primary causes of hypertension in many people. Exercise and weight reduction can help in reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the body. The high levels of low-density lipoprotein. The impact of exercise in reducing these risk factors will depend on its magnitude. Previous research has demonstrated that the engagement of physical exercise for leisure time and at work helps reduce the incidence of diseases. The evidence demonstrated by research has demonstrated that people who live a sedentary life are at higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease than their active counterpart (Floyd and Allen 67)s. Physical activity helps in weight management because it pushes the body to burn extra calories. Weight management helps prevent chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes and hypertension. Currently, obesity is one of the most prevalent conditions in the United States. The number of hypertension and diabetes cases associated with people suffering from obesity is very high. Physical exercise improves the amount of energy required by the body to remain active. Therefore, high levels of calories are being burnt to provide the energy to support increased physical activity. The ultimate results in weight reduction, which reduces clogging of the arteries. Arteriosclerosis is the narrowing of the cardiovascular arteries by cholesterol deposits. Arteriosclerosis leads to heart attack. It is apparent that the physical activity benefits by aiding in weight reduction, which results in positive health outcomes. Physical activity enhances the immune system to fight simple infections that are caused by bacteria and bus. Experiments involving humans and animals has shown that the amount of immune cells circulating in the blood. It is necessary to understand that the number of white blood cells will increase in the blood when one partakes in a physical activity that is moderate and continues for more than one hour. The increased physical activity will also increase the effectiveness of these immune cells. As a result, the body can easily fight simple viral infections like cold. In fact, research has confirmed that the people who regularly exercise have reduced infections of cold in comparison to people living a life void of physical activity. The effectiveness of the immune system can be connected to physical activity. The benefits of exercise have been confirmed in the management of diabetes. Positive results have been seen in both men and women. Controlled physical exercise can impede the progression of diabetes. Some studies done internationally have shown that participation in moderate physical exercise for 30 minutes on a routine basis lowers the risks of developing diabetes by approximately 58%. The results were recorded in overweigh people who were at a very high risks of developing diabetes. Moreover, physical activity improves glycemic control in diabetes patients. In some instances, improved physical activity can lead to a reduction of diabetes medication because of improved glycemic control. It has been noted that physical activity is among the most influential factors in type II diabetes incidence apart from weight changes, blood pressure and cholesterol. Furthermore, physical activity reduces the risks of diabetes patients developing heart conditions. The chances of death due to heart attacks is reduced when a diabetes patient participates in moderate physical activity. Medical doctors encourage diabetes patients to participate, in physical exercise, to improve their glycemic control. Physical activity controls blood pressure and development of type II diabetes. However, it is paramount for diabetes patients to exercise control when taking part in physical training. Physical training should be accompanied with proper dietary requirements to prevent adverse effects. The patient should consume additional amounts of carbohydrates. Energy balance in the body is influential in the fight against infections and diseases. Regular physical activity improves health by promoting psychological well-being. Research has been done to establish a connection between exercise and psychological well-being. Many professionals have criticized studies that connect mental health and physiological functions. As a result, the studies focused on observing patients under clinical conditions. It was noted that patients suffering from clinical depression showed reduced physical activity compared to other people who are healthy. Studies have emphasized the need to engage patients to engage in aerobics while undergoing therapy. It is believed that moderate physical activity helps in enhancing the mood. Physical activity improves brain activity, which keeps the brain alert. It keeps the brain learning, thinking and analyzing issues (Scully, Kremer and Keade 34). The effectiveness of exercise in keeping the brain alert is evidenced by the emphasis on physical exercise in schools. It leads to psychological wellbeing. It is all about the creation of balance. In addition, research shows that the exercise can help in the management of stress. Stress is a common occurrence in the human population. The research suggests that increased exercise is likely to help an individual to deal the stress. The effectiveness of exercise increases with routine. It is imperative to maintain a consistent regime of physical activity. Increased exercise keeps the brain active, which is why the brain produces an intense psychological response. It helps in relaxing the mind (Darren E.R. Warburton 35). The role of physical exercise in stress issues leans more towards preventive than curative. Additional research is needed to define the connection between stress prevention and physical activity. The other benefit of physical activity is muscle and bone strengthening. The effect is pronounced in older people. Age has a way of weakening the body as time passes. Physical activity helps in keeping the bones and muscles strong. It enables one to maintain independence at old age. Physical can help prevent the development of diseases like osteoporosis. It helps diseases that are likely to develop because old age. Consistent exercise help in managing arthritis and other diseases of the joints. Research has shown that moderate aerobic activity for two hours each day can help in managing the pain that comes with arthritis (Edlin and Golanty 150). Physical activity breeds endurance. In conclusion, physical activity leads to health and wellness in the society. Physical exercise aids in the prevention and management of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, arthritis and cancer. Physical exercise helps the immune system by boosting the amount of immune cells circulating the blood at one time. Exercise help in managing weight gain. Weight gain has been cited as the cause in deadly chronic diseases like hypertension and diabetes. The control of weight reduces the many health complications. Physical activity directly contributes to health and well. Works Cited Darren E.R. Warburton, Crystal Whitney Nicol, and Shannon S.D. Bredin. "Health benefits of physical activity: the evidence." Canadian Medical Association Journal (2006): 801-809. Internet. Edlin, Gordon and Eric Golanty. Health and Wellness. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2014. Print. Edlin, Gordon, Eric Golanty and Kelli McCormack Brown. Essentials for health and wellness. Sudbury, Mass.: Jones and Bartlett, 2014. Print. Floyd, Patricia A and Beverly Joyce Allen. Introduction to careers in health, physical education, and sport. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2009. Print. Scully, D., et al. "Physical exercise and psychological well being: a critical review." British Journal of Sports Medicine (1998): 111-120. PDF. Read More