The connection between exercise and improved cardiovascular health is well established — it’s commonly known that regular and consistent exercise results in greater overall heart health.
The key words being “regular” and “consistent.”
While any exercise is always better than none at all, creating, establishing and sticking to exercise habits on a consistent basis increases and sustains their benefits.
To everyone’s benefit, exercise improves bone and muscle health, helps in maintaining a proper weight and improves sleep quality.
Specific to kids, exercise helps improve cognitive functions and overall concentration. For adults, its aids in reducing a sedentary lifestyle, lowers the risk for heart disease and stroke, and for older adults, it reduces the risk for falls and injuries sustained in falls.
Running, jogging, hiking, swimming, biking, moderate weightlifting and long walks are all great forms of exercise. Water aerobics and even yard work are also acceptable sources of exercise, and they can be done with various degrees of intensity.
Guidelines for exercise (set by the Department of Health & Human Services) range in age, starting as early as 3-years old.
Encouraged to be active and participate in physical play for at least 3 hours each week.
One hour of at least moderate activity each day – aerobic or cardiovascular exercise with muscle training three times a week.
Two-and-a-half to five hours of moderate activity, or one hour and 15 minutes to two-and-a-half hours of vigorous exercise each week, with at least two days of muscle training.
Exercises should include balancing exercises to help avoid falls, and older adults should remain as active as much as they comfortably can.
Make an appointment with a McLaren primary care physician for a check-up and discuss how exercise can best benefit you.