Are you getting enough exercise?

Amanda Gomes

 

Whether you are concerned about your weight, heart, lungs, muscles, bones or brain, exercise will benefit your health.

Increasing physical activity levels by any amount can produce measurable benefits including reductions to obesity, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and hypertension. Exercise improves bone and joint health, reducing osteoporosis and arthritis. Exercise even acts on the level of the central nervous system, leading people who engage in more exercise to see improvements in cognitive function and lower levels of mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression. Reduced colon and breast cancer, cancer-related mortality, and all-cause mortality, alongside improved holistic wellness, and better self-reported health are all observable in individuals who exercise. Those who are the least active see the greatest benefit from increasing their physical activity levels.

Without implying a threshold for benefit, it is suggested that we strive towards a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise daily with stretching and strengthening exercise at least twice a week on top of regular aerobic activity.

If you are experiencing difficulties meeting physical activity guidelines or your own personal physical activity goals, the physiotherapists at the Pan Am can help. Please reach out to book an assessment at either of our two locations: Poseidon (204.927.2660) or Pembina (204.925.1030), or book online at: https://booking.medeohealth.com/panamrehab OR https://patient.medeohealth.com/booking/physiotherapy-pembina

 

 

References:

1) Warburton DER, Bredin SSD. Health Benefits of Physical Activity: A Strengths-Based Approach. J Clin Med. 2019 Nov 21;8(12):2044. doi: 10.3390/jcm8122044. PMID: 31766502; PMCID: PMC6947527.

2) Warburton DE, Nicol CW, Bredin SS. Health benefits of physical activity: the evidence. CMAJ. 2006 Mar 14;174(6):801-9. doi: 10.1503/cmaj.051351. PMID: 16534088; PMCID: PMC1402378.

3) Mandolesi L, Polverino A, Montuori S, Foti F, Ferraioli G, Sorrentino P, Sorrentino G. Effects of Physical Exercise on Cognitive Functioning and Wellbeing: Biological and Psychological Benefits. Front Psychol. 2018 Apr 27;9:509. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00509. PMID: 29755380; PMCID: PMC5934999.

4) Blair SN, LaMonte MJ, Nichaman MZ. The evolution of physical activity recommendations: how much is enough? Am J Clin Nutr. 2004 May;79(5):913S-920S. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/79.5.913S. PMID: 15113739.