By: Zorana Jagodić |
Achieve perfect health by exercising |
|
It is a well known fact that the sport has a positive effect on human health.
However, in spite of existing knowledge about the importance of exercise, data on the percentage of people who engage in some form of physical activity in Croatia are devastating.
Research conducted at the University of Split has shown that only one in two male students is engaged in any form of sport activities, while only one in four female students is physically active.
Students participate in a sporting activity only once a week, which is insufficient to maintain their health at the desirable level.
The positive effects of sports on human health
Exercise can enhance your health and protect your body from a number of diseases and disorders such as:
- stress
- osteoporosis
- back pain
- increased blood pressure
- increased cholesterol
- increased blood sugar
- obesity
- cancer.
To combat stress, exercise helps as a way of expelling the negative energy from the body. Exercise reduces the level of "stress hormones" - cortisol and increases the level of endorphins - hormones for happiness and natural energy.
Exercising distracts us from the source of stress and allows us to achieve a state of Zen.
Researchers confirm that regular exercise reduces susceptibility to stress, but also facilitates the struggle with already existing stress.
Physical activity reduces symptoms of back pain that afflicts 80% of people. Inactivity increases the feeling of pain, muscle tension and stiffness of the sacrum and lumbar region of the back.
American Society for Cancer says physical activity is the primary component in the prevention of certain types of cancers.
This primarily relates to bowel, cervix, colon, breast and lung cancer. Doctors say that exercise strengthens the human immune system, which helps prevent cancer, but also helps slowing down the spread of malignant cells.
It is a fact that people who are actively involved in sports live longer.
Exercise stimulates the regeneration of brain cells, and positively affects the functioning of parts of the brain responsible for memory and learning.
Regular physical activity increases sexual function in both sexes.
Specifically, muscle strength and tone, endurance and overall fitness and heart functions combined have a positive effect on sexual potency in both men and women.
Exercise is a powerful antidepressant that promotes mental health. Exercising for 30 minutes a day, 3-5 days a week will significantly improve symptoms of depression.
Lack of physical activity is one of the most common risk factors for heart disease. Exercise strengthens your heart, and only a healthy heart can pump blood more easily through the body.
Exercise positively affects the proportion of HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol) versus LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and triglycerides.
Finland study on prevention of diabetes showed that moderate physical activity and a balanced diet reduce the risk of developing diabetes by as much as 50-60%.
Exercise has a positive effect on high blood pressure and reduces the risk of heart attack.
Regular exercise affects the regulation of body weight. Burning more calories that you intake will result in weight loss.
Also, exercise accelerates metabolism, which affects the slowdown in the deposition of fat.
Playing sports increases muscle mass and reduces fat.
Active engagement in some form of physical activity is healthy for human bones. Sport slows osteoporosis and bone loss, which are closely associated with aging.
If you suffer from insomnia, exercise will help in the fight against sleepless nights. The natural increase in body temperature during the period of up to 5-6 hours after exercise will help you fall asleep.
How to practice
It is recommended to engage in a sporting activity for at least 30 minutes every day.
This is the minimum recommended physical activity for all adults.
If after 30 minutes of exercise a day you can not seem to regulate or maintain weight, you can extend the training for 60 minutes a day.
What form of physical activities to choose
Michael Joyner, a professor at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester says fast pacing is the best physical activity for maintaining and improving health.
Studies show that people who regularly walk easily maintain their desired weight. Also, elderly people who walk daily have improved function of the hippocampus, a part of the brain responsible for the memory.
Aerobic training (walking, running, cycling) improves our cardiovascular system.
Strength training reduces the risk of osteoporosis and loss of muscle mass, improves stability and reduces the risk of falling in the case of elderly people.
Interval high intensity training (HIT) is also good for health.
This kind of training improves fitness and general state of your organism, reduces blood sugar levels, the risk of diabetes and helps to regulate body weight.
Liked the article?
Share it with your friends!
