Physical Activity And Exercise

Jul 6, 2015
2 min read

Physical activity protects us from chronic diseases and allows us to make better recovery from unavoidable illnesses.

A physically active person responds better to medical treatment and makes better recovery after surgical procedures.

Exercise improves cognitive functioning, controls weight and reduces the risk of obesity and obesity related illnesses.

A physically inactive person; on the other hand, is a risk to his physical and mental health. A physically inactive person is at risk for cardiovascular disease(CVD), strokes, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, cancer, anxiety, depression and even premature death.

What is Physical Activity?

World Health Organization(WHO) defines PHYSICAL ACTIVITY as "any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure – including activities undertaken while working, playing, carrying out household chores, travelling, and engaging in recreational pursuits.

WHO defines EXERCISE as "a subcategory of physical activity that is planned, structured, repetitive, and aims to improve or maintain one or more components of physical fitness."

A certain amount of physical activity is required to prevent diseases and to maintain good physical and mental health. The amount; however, is over above regular household chores.

There is a recommended for all and throughout the lifespan.

Children age 5-17 require 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity each day.

Adults 18-64 and those over 65 require one of the following each week:

150 minutes of moderate-intensity
75 minutes of vigorous-intensity
A combination of moderate and vigorous-intensity.

It is recommended that everyone engages in muscle strengthening exercises that involve the major muscle groups, at least twice per week.

These recommendations are for everyone including overweight and obese people. However; because overweight and obese people need a calorie deficit to lose weight, they often require more structured physical activity to burn calories. and fat.

Other approved physical activities are aerobics steps and flexibility stretching to improve balance.

You can learn to develop a physical activity plan that will suit your needs.

Click Here.