Regular physical activity can improve health and reduce the risk of premature death in many ways. It can help reduce the risk of:
- heart disease
- stroke
- having a second heart attack in people who have already had one
- developing high blood pressure
- developing type 2 diabetes.
Regular physical activity can help:
- achieve and keep a healthy body weight
- lower both total blood cholesterol and triglycerides, and increase HDL (or the "good" cholesterol)
- reduce blood pressure in people who already have hypertension (high blood pressure)
- reduce the risk of developing colon cancer and possibly other cancers.
- reduce feelings of stress, anxiety and depression
- build and maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints
- keep older adults physically strong and better able to move about without falling or becoming too tired.
Sources:
- Centre for Disease Control, Atlanta
- Physical Activity and Health: a report of the US Surgeon General, US Department of Health and Human Services, Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, National Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Atlanta.
