The Benefit of Exercise (Essay Sample)

The Benefits of Exercise
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The Benefits of Exercise
Exercise is normally touted as a beneficial thing, but a deep understanding of its positive impacts on individuals should be sought. Physical exercise refers to the planned and repetitive movements of the skeletal muscles using energy (Polikandrioti & Dokoutsidou, 2009). There are the aerobic exercises, such as running, swimming, or dancing, and the more physically demanding exercises like lifting weights. In spite of variation, all types of exercises have beneficial effects on people. Exercise helps to avoid diseases, attain physical fitness, enhance psychological well-being, avoid overweight and obesity, and improve the quality of life in general.
The most vital reason why exercise is beneficial is linked to the biological functioning of the body. Doing exercise triggers biological mechanisms that protect people from chronic diseases or disability. Exercising routinely is known to reduce abdominal fat deposits and reduce weight, improve lipid lipoprotein profiles, improve insulin sensitivity and glucose homeostasis, reduce blood pressure, decrease blood coagulation, and to support cardiac function, among other mechanisms (Warburton, Nicol & Bredin, 2006). These biological mechanisms are more or less related to disease, fitness, psychological state, weight, and life’s quality.
First, exercise reduces morbidity and mortality due to diseases associated with sedentary lifestyles. Observational studies have revealed that regular physical activity and high level of fitness are linked to lower risk of premature death due to chronic complications and from cardiovascular disease in particular, with the people who exercise more having the lowest risk of premature death (Warburton, Nicol & Bredin, 2006). Another disease that can be managed through exercise is type II diabetes which is characterized by lack of enough insulin to metabolize proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Exercise comes in handy to regulate blood glucose, metabolize fats and proteins, and improves the action of insulin, thereby preventing diabetes complications (Polikandrioti & Dokoutsidou, 2009).
Second, exercising leads to physical fitness that is a mark of the wellbeing of a person. Physical fitness means a physiologic state of well-being whereby one can meet the requirements of daily living or is capable of performing in sport or both (Warburton, Nicol & Bredin, 2006). Physical fitness is characterized by cardiovascular fitness, metabolism, body composition and muscoskeletal fitness. For example, children and youth gain fitness among other health benefits by engaging in vigorous aerobic exercise, weight-loading activities, and resistance exercise 3 or more days per week (Janssen & LeBlanc, 2010). Physical fitness is very desirable among people of all ages since it is a mark of their productivity.
Third, the psychological status of people who exercise regularly is better than among those who do not. Notably, the mental health of an individual is improved due to such factors like the presence of energy in the human body, improved self-esteem, and reduced depression (Polikandrioti & Dokoutsidou, 2009). Further, it is noted that exercise is important in prevention or treatment of depression, reduction of anxiety, handling stress, enhancing mood, boosting self-esteem, and enhancing body image (Scully, Kremer, Meade, Graham, & Dudgeon, 1998). Experts suggest that aerobic exercises ranging from low to moderate levels are more suitable compared to anaerobic exercises in terms of improving psychological functioning (Scully, et al., 1998).
Fourth, reduction of overweight and obesity is another benefit of exercise. There is normally a weak relation between physical activity and overweight or obesity cases. In a study conducted in Canada among school children, aerobic exercises and other forms of training such as resistance training, resulted in significant reduction in total fat, BMI, and abdominal fat (Janssen & LeBlanc, 2010). Reduction in body fats means loss of extra weight hence the individuals do not suffer from overweight or obesity. This also serves to avoid other diseases associated with overweight such as hypertension as well as negative perceptions about one’s body image, which leads to reduced self esteem.
Finally, the holistic quality of life is improved by exercise. Physical activity that is involved in exercise enables people to develop tolerance, pain management, improved flexibility, balance and reduction of risk of fall, strength, cardiovascular function among other things (Kuramoto, 2006). Besides allowing people to enjoy their lives by making them relax, interact, and participate in self-care, psych...