Sitting increases the risk for a host of diseases such as diabetes and heart disease, as well as early death. A recent study in young adults found that as little as 10 minutes of physical activity resulted in improved memory and cognition. Many of these benefits occur even after just one bout of activity. Physical activity even increases the size of your hippocampus, and a bigger brain is a good thing. 2020 doi:10.1016/j. studies indicate that people who are regularly active have improved memory and cognitive ability (how your brain functions), in addition to a lower risk for depression. Exercise benefits on Alzheimer's disease: State-of-the-science. Therapeutic Advances in Endocrinology and Metabolism. The importance of physical activity in management of type 2 diabetes and COVID-19. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The benefits and risks of aerobic exercise. If you have arthritis, for example, aquatic exercises may give you the benefits of aerobic activity without stressing your joints. If you have a condition that limits your ability to participate in aerobic activities, ask your health care provider about alternatives. Other options for aerobic exercise could include cross-country skiing, aerobic dancing, swimming, stair climbing, bicycling, jogging, elliptical training or rowing. In interval training, you alternate between short periods of intense activity and longer periods of less intense activity. Short of time? Try a high-intensity interval training workout and enjoy a great workout with similar benefits as a standard aerobic workout in less time. Also aim to sit less and move more during the day. You can gain even more benefits if you exercise more. Soon, you could be walking briskly for at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week, and reaping all the benefits of regular aerobic activity. The next day, add a few minutes to each walking session. They may also have a lower risk of dying of all causes, such as heart disease and certain cancers. Studies show that people who participate in regular aerobic exercise live longer than those who don't exercise regularly. It can even help prevent the onset of dementia and improve cognition in people with dementia. It may also improve cognitive function in children and young adults. Regular physical activity may help protect memory, reasoning, judgment and thinking skills (cognitive function) in older adults. And it can improve your quality of life.Īerobic exercise also keeps your mind sharp. Exercise can also lower the risk of falls and injuries from falls in older adults. Stay active and independent as you ageĪerobic exercise keeps your muscles strong, which can help you maintain mobility as you get older. It can improve your mental well-being and your self-esteem. This may result in less buildup of plaques in your arteries.Īerobic exercise may ease the gloominess of depression, reduce the tension associated with anxiety and promote relaxation. A stronger heart also pumps blood more efficiently, which improves blood flow to all parts of your body.Īerobic exercise boosts your high-density lipoprotein (HDL), the 'good,' cholesterol, and lowers your low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the 'bad,' cholesterol. If you have coronary artery disease, aerobic exercise may help you manage your condition.Ī stronger heart doesn't need to beat as fast. It can also improve the quality of life and fitness in people who've had cancer. It can reduce pain and improve function in people with arthritis. Weight-bearing aerobic exercises, such as walking, help lower the risk of osteoporosis.Īerobic exercise may help lower blood pressure and control blood sugar.

These conditions include obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, stroke and certain types of cancer. This may leave you less susceptible to viral illnesses, such as colds and the flu.Īerobic exercise reduces the risk of many conditions. You can also gain increased heart and lung fitness and bone and muscle strength over time.Īerobic exercise activates your immune system in a good way. But over the long term, you'll enjoy increased stamina and reduced fatigue. You may feel tired when you first start regular aerobic exercise. Increase your stamina, fitness and strength Combined with a healthy diet, aerobic exercise helps you lose weight and keep it off.Ģ.

10 benefits of physical activity