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Benefits
of Physical Activity
General Benefits
Physical activity
is essential to improved health, well being and quality of life.
Living an active lifestyle helps increase physical fitness and
muscular strength, improve endurance and flexibility, improve
general health and prevent disease, increase bone density, reduce
body fat, improve motor coordination and increase personal energy
levels.
The benefits of physical
activity go beyond just the physical and include social, emotional
and spiritual benefits as well. Individuals who are active tend
to feel better about themselves, have improved sleep habits, have
a more positive self-image and experience healthy social interactions.
Health Benefits
There is consensus
among the scientific and medical communities that physical activity
delivers substantial physical and mental health benefits, from
reducing risk of chronic disease to increased emotional well being.
Physical activity
reduces the risk of:
coronary heart disease
non-insulin dependent
diabetes
obesity
osteoporosis
colon cancer
hypertension and
stroke
Physical activity
helps:
increase resistance
to mental fatigue
manage stress
reduce anxiety
relieve depression
improve sleep
Economic Benefits
According to a recent
study (Keeler, 1989), an eight percent increase in regular physical
activity since 1981 saved the public purse more than $4.4 billion
in avoided health care costs. The same study showed additional
savings in reduced sick leave from work, as well as taxes on lost
earnings. Physical activity can also increase a person's lifespan
by as much as two years. Older active Canadians require less medical
treatment than their sedentary peers. They also avoid or delay
the need for institutional care; a financial burden for both individuals
and governments at all levels.
How Much is Enough?
According to a recent
report of the U.S. Surgeon General on physical activity and health
(July 1996), significant health benefits can be achieved by including
a moderate amount of physical activity (e.g. 30 minutes of brisk
walking or raking leaves, 15 minutes of running, or 45 minutes
of playing volleyball) on most, if not all, days of the week.
Through a modest increase in daily activity, most people can improve
their health, well being and quality of life.
The facts are clear;
physical activity benefits all individuals in a variety of ways.
So, if you are not moderately active now, give yourself a nudge.
You could be adding life to your years and years to your life.
(Adapted from
Canadian Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation
and Dance (CAHPERD) and the Muskoka-Parry Sound Health Unit.)
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