WHY EXERCISE IS GOOD
FOR YOU
People who exercise are
stronger and have greater endurance than people who do not. Exercise has
other health benefits, too. Research has shown that exercise protects
against coronary heart disease.
Part of this protection comes from improvement in
the heart's pumping action, a person who is physically fit pumps more
bleed with each heart beat and is able to sustain demanding physical
exertion at a lower heart rate than someone who is out of shape.
Regular, moderate exercise improves your capacity
for endurance, meaning you will be able to walk (or swim or bike)
farther as you continue to work out. Exercise lowers the blood pressure
a clear benefit since high blood pressure is associated with both heart
disease and stroke. Exercise also burns up fat, controls weight, lowers
your harmful cholesterol level, and raises your good cholesterol level
(see fats and cholesterol coming pages0. Research has also shown that
people who are physically active are less susceptible to the type of
diabetes that develops in adulthood (type II diabetes).
Anyone who has been confined to bed for more than
few days knows that his or her muscles and bones became weak. This
occurs because minerals in the bones are excreted by the kidneys in
large quantities during long periods of immobility. Exercise, however,
builds up the strength of bones by stimulating bone building cells to
create new bone. Research has shown that exercise at all ages improve
bone strength. This is especially important for women after they reach
menopause, when a lack of the hormones estrogen may lead to osteoporosis
(thining and weakening of bone. (Exercise will help build up the bones
to help protect against fractures in the future.
Finally, exercise makes people feel
good. people who exercise regularly feel healthy and are less likely to
become depressed.
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