The Importance of Exercise

The Importance of Exercise

In this article, we discussed the importance of exercise, we started by defining the meaning of exercise and starting the types.

Definition

Exercise is a subset of physical activity that is planned, structured, and repetitive and has as a final or an intermediate objective the improvement or maintenance of physical fitness.

Exercises are a series of movements or actions which you do in order to get fit, remain healthy, or practice for a particular physical activity. It is the training of the body to improve its function and enhance its fitness.

Types of Exercise

Aerobic exercise

Aerobic exercise aims to improve the body’s use of oxygen. Most aerobic exercise takes place at moderate intensity over longer periods.

An aerobic exercise session involves warming up, exercising for at least 20 minutes, and then cooling down. Aerobic exercise mostly uses large muscle groups.

Some examples of aerobic exercise include:

running

cycling

walking

swimming

Anaerobic exercise

Anaerobic  does not use oxygen for energy. People use this type of exercise to build power, strength, and muscle mass.

These are high intensity activities that should last no longer than around 2 minutes before taking a short rest. Anaerobic exercises include:

weightlifting

sprinting

intensive and fast skipping with a rope

interval training

isometrics

any rapid burst of intense activity

Agility training

Agility training aims to improve a person’s ability to maintain control while speeding up, slowing down, and changing direction.

In tennis, for example, agility training helps players maintain control over their court positioning by helping them recover well after each shot.

People who participate in sports that heavily rely on positioning, coordination, speed, and balance need to regularly engage in agility training.

The following sports are examples of ones that require agility:

tennis

American football

hockey

badminton

volleyball

basketball

soccer

martial arts

boxing

wrestling

Stretching and flexibility

Some exercises combine stretching, muscle conditioning, and balance training. A popular and effective example is yoga, which can improve balance, flexibility, posture, and circulation.

Pilates is another stretching option that promotes flexibility and core strength. Tai chi is also an effective exercise that promotes calm stretching rather than intensity.

Importance of Exercise

Boosts mood and mental health

it  can improve a person’s mood and decrease feelings of depression, anxiety, and stress.

Helps with weight management

particularly aerobic, burns calories and can help a person achieve and maintain a healthy weight for them.

Although they burn fewer calories,  this such as weightlifting can build muscle and improve strength.

Increasing muscle mass causes the body to burn more fat, even when resting. Muscle is the most efficient tissue for burning fat.

Reduces the risk of chronic conditions

Much research associates lifelong, regular exercise with a longer health span and a delayed onset of at least 40 chronic conditions Trusted Source.

it  has been shown to reduce the risk Trusted Source of diabetes, stroke, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). It can also improve life expectancy Trusted Source and symptoms for people with coronary artery diseases.

Helps brain health and memory

it promotes brain health and can help preserve a person’s cognitive function, or their ability to think.

Improves relaxation and sleep quality 

This can help Trusted Source with relaxation, including helping people sleep better and easing symptoms of sleep disorders.

Conclusion

Whether people engage in light exercises, such as walking, or high intensity activities, such as uphill cycling or weight training, regular exercise provides many benefits for the body and mind.

Having a clear goal in mind, choosing activities that bring excitement and enjoyment, and exercising with friends and family can all help build motivation to exercise.

READ: The Importance of Listening to Your Body

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