EXERCISE AND HEALTH

Why do we need to exercise????

To maintain a good health

To increase adaptability

To control obesity

To maintain good body frame

To prevent diseases such as

Atherosclerosis

Hypertension

Diabetes mellitus

But are you sure all these are true? Yes, but not complete.

In a scientific point of view exercise has much broader benefits

Exercise increases the muscle strength by increasing the muscle size (This is mainly due to the hypertrophy of the muscle fibers) and prevents muscle wasting which occurs in prolonged periods of muscle inactivity.

In resistance training deposition of the bone is enhanced and the tensile strength of the bone is increased. This prevents fractures. So exercising from very young age helps to p0revent osteoporosis.

Energy burning effect of exercise oxidizes body fat stores. This prevents obesity and reduces circulating cholesterol levels. Lowered circulating cholesterol levels reduce the risk of is related atherosclerosis.

Effects on the cardiovascular system.

Increases the contractility of the heart. This provides the heart an ability to increase cardiac output without increasing the heart rate. Age related stiffening of the blood vessels are decreased and reduced risk of atherosclerosis significantly reduces the incidents of heart attack.

Effects on respiratory system

Exercise increases the volume of body oxygen reserves. This is particularly important in disease conditions associated with old age such as pneumonia.

Effects on the mental health.

Exercise changes the neurotransmitter levels in the brain and circulating hormone levels. This reduces the mental stress and consequently diseases associated with stress.