Activities designed toward muscular development and/or cardiovascular fitness.
Muscular activity, voluntary or otherwise.
Physical or mental activity, especially the active use of the muscles as a way of keeping fit, correcting a
deformity or strengthening a part.
A particular movement or action designed to use and strengthen the muscles.
Physical activity to improve the health and functioning of the body, as by increasing blood circulation and muscle strength. In response to concerns about being “unfit,” many parents and children have turned to exercise, often establishing regular exercise programs. Both pregnant women and children should use some caution, however.
Activity to condition the body, maintain fitness, or correct a deformity.
Increased energy expenditure due to muscular activity, usually resulting in movement of the body or its parts. Exercise involves one or more organs and structures of the body and is important for overall health. Regular exercise gives improved balance and coordination, improved sleep, and a longer life expectancy. The specific benefits of an ongoing exercise program throughout a lifetime include the prevention or delay of serious diseases and conditions including coronary artery disease, stroke, the most common form of diabetes, some types of cancer, age-related bone loss, and osteoporosis. Exercising regularly aids in weight management because exercise helps regulate the appetite and reduce body fat.
A physical or mental activity performed to maintain, restore, or increase normal capacity. Physical exercise involves activities that maintain or increase muscle tone and strength, especially to improve physical fitness or to manage a handicap or disability.
Planned, structured, and repetitive physical activity done to improve or maintain one or more components of physical fitness.
Exercise refers to any physical activity undertaken to enhance health. It can be pursued for leisure or as a means to mend a physical injury or deformity.
Various forms of exercise have distinct impacts on the body. Aerobic exercises, for example, enhance the health of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Other forms boost flexibility, while some boost muscular strength, and others improve physical stamina.
During aerobic activities like running or swimming, the heart and lungs operate at a quicker and more efficient rate to satisfy the heightened need for oxygen from the muscles. Consistent participation in aerobic exercises enhances the health and functionality of both the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
Activities like weight lifting enhance muscle strength and stamina. Practices like yoga and pilates, on the other hand, boost flexibility. For more details on the impact of different exercises, refer to relevant resources.
There is a correlation between engaging in high levels of aerobic exercise and experiencing a low occurrence of coronary artery disease. Regular aerobic exercise typically results in decreased blood pressure and elevates the levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in the blood. The presence of HDL is believed to safeguard against atherosclerosis – a condition where fatty deposits build up on the walls of arteries, and myocardial infarction, also known as a heart attack.
Exercise can alleviate the symptoms of peripheral vascular disease and some psychological conditions, notably depression. Regular weight-bearing exercises like running enhance bone density, thus strengthening the bones and reducing the likelihood of osteoporosis in individuals who have maintained an active lifestyle throughout their adulthood. These exercises also build up muscle mass and fortify muscles and ligaments, potentially preventing or mitigating lower back pain and reducing the vulnerability of ligaments to strains.
In certain situations, intense exercise can pose various health hazards. For instance, individuals who are not regularly active but suddenly engage in strenuous activities may face injury and an elevated risk of a heart attack. Professional athletes, like footballers, may be more prone to osteoarthritis in their later years due to the recurrent minor damage to areas such as the knee and the cervical region of the spine.