Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Exercise

Exercise makes me more relaxed and lifts my mood. A good workout session makes me more open to people and gives me more confidence.

High intensity interval training that generates a bit of huff and puff is excellent for the health. Interval training works both the aerobic and the anaerobic system, to help build endurance and speed. It has been found to improve mitochondrial functioning, insulin levels, and heart and lung health. Exercise of vigorous intensity is associated with cardiovascular disease and cancer mortality benefits. Implementing high intensity training has also been shown to prevent or delay ageing.

For a balanced fitness program, strength training is essential. This comprises regular resistance training using your own body weight or weights. Strength training can slow the muscle loss that comes with age, build the strength of your muscles and connective tissues, increase bone density, cut your risk of injury, and help ease arthritis pain. Studies have found that muscle-building exercise can also improve balance, reduce the likelihood of falls, improve blood-sugar control, hormone improvement, sharpen thinking and memory, and improve sleep and mental health. It helps prevent frailty, which is the number one reason people go into dependent care. The more muscle mass older people have, the less likely they are to die prematurely.

Importantly, exercising the muscles releases myokines, which reduces the low-level inflammation in the body that contributes to heart disease, type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's, as well as working as tumour suppressants. Inflammation is particularly nasty as it is a precursor to many diseases and conditions, including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, chronic pain, and arthritis. It could be argued that without inflammation, most disease would not even exist. Warding off inflammation involves proper exercise, eating a clean diet with reduced fats and sugars, reducing stress, adequate sleep, living in a good environment with good air and water quality, creating conditions of love and appreciation, and keeping positive attitudes.

In addition to cardio and strength training, it is vital to incorporate flexibility training too. Doing stretches and massaging the body loosens up the body. Flexibility training assists with posture, improves range of motion, improves circulation and blood flow, and reduces the risk of injury and pain.

Exercise can be thought of as a pill that boosts energy and strength and improves resistance to disease. Physical exercise improves appearance and confidence, keeps hormonal balance and is a critical ingredient to staying fit and healthy.

While exercise is good for the body, it is important to avoid over-exercising. This can arise in endurance sports from repetitive overuse or where the body is exhausted without sufficient rest to restore and rejuvenate. It is worth noting that females have a longer life expectancy but they don't necessarily exercise as vigorously as males.

An exercise routine does not need to take long. Thirty minutes of exercise three times a week touching on cardio, strength and flexibility, in combination with an active lifestyle, is sufficient. This could be extended further when training for a specific sport or fitness goal. 

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