The benefits of physical activity are numerous and very well documented. Aside from substantially reducing the risk of dying of a heart attack, regular physical activity decreases the risk for stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure and certain forms of cancer. Regular physical activity helps to build and maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints and reduces the risk of arthritis and osteoporosis. Regular physical activity helps reduce the symptoms of arthritis and degenerative joint disease and reduces the falls among older adults. Regular exercise has even been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. As overwhelming as these benefits are, the sad fact is that less than half American adults do not get enough physical activity to provide health benefits. Less than 25% of adults are not active at all in their leisure time. The good news is, it's never too late to reap the benefits of an active lifestyle.
Activities performed at a higher intensity or longer duration generally offer greater health benefits; this however, may not be a realistic goal or starting point for everyone. Healthy benefits can be gained from activity as simple as a brisk 30 minute walk five or more times a week. Life can be busy and hectic but with a little creativity and planning every body can make room for physical activity. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Replace that coffee or cigarette break with a fitness break by talking a brisk walk or doing some stretches at your desk. Play with the kids or the dog. Instead of driving around to find the closest parking spot, park farther away and enjoy the walk. Remember when it comes to physical activity every little bit helps.
To reap the full health benefit of physical activity an exercise plan should address the five components of physical fitness as outlined by the Centers of Disease control. These five components include cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, muscular endurance, body composition, and flexibility. In future columns we will more specifically address these individual components, as well other pertinent topics such as nutrition, weight management and injury prevention. Information that will help you stay Looking Better, Feeling Better, and Playing Better! But in the mean time?Get Moving!
Bill Scibetta, RN, NSCA-CPT
Bill is the founder and President of Precision Fitness ? Personal Training Centers in the Charlotte, NC area and co-author of the book "Play Better Longer!" ? Peak Performance and Injury Prevention for Golf. Bill is a licensed Registered Nurse as well as a National Strength and Conditioning Association ? Certified Personal Trainer. After spending years practicing in the specialty of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Bill has dedicated his career to helping individuals identify and overcome obstacles that stand in the way of optimal wellness and peak physical performance.
While working out in the gym, I have noticed that... Read More
Salsa dancing is emerging as a refreshing replacement for conventional... Read More
Press Conference 1996 ? Lance Armstrong On Wednesday October 2,... Read More
VO2 max is defined as the maximal amount of oxygen... Read More
A recent study sponsored by the American College of Sports... Read More
So, you have decided to hire a personal trainer to... Read More
Recent studies have shown that exercise may acually help people... Read More
Different Health Problems generally do not allow us to do... Read More
Different Health Problems generally do not allow us to do... Read More
Most of us have trained at one part in our... Read More
Summer is officially here. Finally you can pack away your... Read More
The last seven years, or so, at the Tour de... Read More
You would never build a house without a site plan,... Read More
Learning Tai ChiTai Chi combines movement, meditation and breathing, to... Read More
Exercise TipsThe most effective exercise regimen includes both strength training... Read More
For many years exercise science has perpetuated the concept of... Read More
Strength training after fifty is no longer for those people... Read More
Enter any health club and a concept is very apparent,... Read More
Quite often runners and exercisers experience painful muscle cramping either... Read More
Yoga traditionally conjures up images of long hair, loin cloths... Read More
Even light exercise is good for you, so don't get... Read More
Are You Destined to Sit on the Couch?If someone mentions... Read More
There are three main types of exercises to include in... Read More
I think the real question is "How safe is it... Read More
Exercising During Commercials I'm getting up an hour earlier these... Read More
A vacation can do wonders for reducing stress levels, but... Read More
Pilates is a system of over 500 controlled exercises that... Read More
One of the main benefits of Pilates is it refreshes... Read More
When designing an aerobic or strength training exercise program, fitness... Read More
Muscles and connective tissues shorten over time and that results... Read More
Did you know that walking is the number one participation... Read More
Big weights! Wicked pump! I always get caught between two... Read More
Many people think that creating a home workout gym is... Read More
Step for step, mile for mile, walking is the best... Read More
I have to admit that I sometimes find it amusing... Read More
In fitness, as in war, you want to be on... Read More
The number one reason people say they do not exercise... Read More
In our modern day society we have moved away from... Read More
There's been a lot of buzz recently about Interval Training.... Read More
It seems like everyone is concerned about putting on the... Read More
Yoga traditionally conjures up images of long hair, loin cloths... Read More
For approximately 80-90% of people that suffer from asthma, exercise... Read More
Plateau. That dreaded word that you do not want to... Read More
Years ago when I was a professional bodybuilder, I fell... Read More
Okay?okay?okay! Enough already!!! It seems like with every new term,... Read More
A question I am frequently asked by females is, "What... Read More
When it comes to building lower pectorals, triceps and frontal... Read More
So you've begun an exercise program to get in shape... Read More
Is tennis good for you?Absolutely - tennis is a gentle... Read More
Athletics are pretty cut and dry in one regard; the... Read More
You know I have always wondered how people of yesteryear,... Read More
Do you remember when our parents used to yell at... Read More
Using The StairsNot everybody has stairs in their home, but... Read More
1. The 'Chew Then Crunch' MythCrunches are good exercises for... Read More
Most of us have trained at one part in our... Read More
Synergy: the working together of two or more things, people,... Read More
1. Begin Looking at Exercise Differently. Think of exercise as... Read More
If it's six pack abs that you're after, daily abdominal... Read More
So you want to lose weight? Chances are, you'll spend... Read More
Approach a New Exercise Program Like a New LoverHow many... Read More
Lower back pain is an increasingly common problem in fact... Read More
Yes, all I'm afraid this does play a part in... Read More
For years exercise scientists and physiologists have preached that lactate/lactic... Read More
Several sites, including this one, recommend that you take a... Read More
1. Lunges with a barbell. Properly executed, this exercise is... Read More
It's a given that effective weight loss is much more... Read More
Exercise & Fitness |