The benefits for the life of the exercise

Feel younger, live longer. It is not a password - they are the real benefits of regular exercise. According to a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, people with a high level of fitness are less likely to die from various causes.

Fitness: what the benefits of exercise mean to you

There is other good news. Research also shows that exercise improves sleep, prevents weight gain and reduces the risk of hypertension, stroke, type 2 diabetes and even depression.

"A study found that physical activity, strength, weight maintenance and social well-being were significantly improved when athletes operated with breast cancer survivors," says Drs. Rachel Permuth-Levine, Deputy Director, Office of Strategic and Innovative Measurement Programs, National Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood, National Institutes of Health.

"Another study looked at patients with stable heart failure and found that physical activity relieved symptoms, improved quality of life, reduced the number of hospitalizations and in some cases reduced the risk of death." adds Dr. Permuth-Levine added. Emphasize that exercise is not only important for people who already have health problems: "Recognizing the benefits of moderate exercise for people who are recovering can bring even greater benefits to those we see are usually affected" .

Fitness: basic notions of exercise

Physical activity does not have to be tiring to get results. Even moderate training five to six times a week can have lasting health benefits.

Consider three simple guidelines to integrate more physical activity into your life:

Moderate intensity exercise for at least 2 hours and 30 minutes for a week.
Avoid periods of inactivity. Some exercises at any intensity are better than nothing.
Add aerobic exercise (cardio) at least twice a week to supporting activities that strengthen all the major muscle groups.
Fitness: make it a habit

The main reason most people say they don't exercise is the lack of time. If you are struggling to include longer physical activities in your program, remember that short physical activities at 10 minute intervals will still help you improve your health. Permuth-Levine recommends: "Even without weight loss, relatively short periods of daily exercise reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease".

Set realistic goals and take small steps to train more in your daily life. For example, take the stairs instead of the elevator and go to the grocery store instead of driving. "The key is to start gradually and prepare," says Permuth-Levine. "Prepare shoes, pedometers and music so you have no excuses."

To help you maintain your new training habits, change your routine, for example: B. swims one day and walks next. Go out and start a baseball or soccer game with your kids. Even if the weather does not work, you should have a plan B: use an exercise bike at home, look for gym equipment at a nearby community center or consider joining a fitness club. The trick is to do sports like brushing your teeth and getting enough sleep, which is essential for your well-being.

Remember that physical fitness is attainable. Even with small changes, you can make big profits that will be profitable for years to come.