While exercise won’t rewind the clock on ageing, it does show signs of helping slow it down. Evidence continues to mount that exercise has many benefits to help people look and feel younger. The effects of an active lifestyle are felt both internally and externally, and if started at a young age, being active will become second nature and part of your daily routine. Here are some of the main advantages of regular exercise –
Weight Loss: Exercise raises metabolism during and after the activity, while also burning calories. Keeping up with regular exercise will help manage and maintain weight loss.
Energy Booster: Inactive people often complain of having a lack of energy however this is often a result of not exercising. Walking, swimming, jogging, and cycling improve stamina and energy. As you gradually build up speed and stamina, most people find they have more energy for other activities.
Stress Buster: Plenty of studies have shown that regular physical exercise can help reduce stress, manage mild depression and anxiety, improve sleep and enhance the overall sense of well-being.
Muscle Tone: A regular strength training program can help maintain muscle mass and tone and counteract the effects of gravity and aging. Pilates is a great way to tone up and strengthen muscles at any age.
Boosts Immune System: Researchers have found that regular physical activity can improve your immune system as immune cells circulate more quickly through the body and are better at destroying viruses and bacteria.
Prevents Injury & Age-related Conditions: Regular exercise is an extremely important factor in the prevention of early development of age-related conditions. Aerobic exercise reduces the risk of heart disease by reducing body fat, lowering blood pressure and raising “good” cholesterol levels. Exercise can improve bone density and strengthen muscles, which in turn will help prevent such conditions as osteoporosis which commonly develops as a result of wear-and-tear in the joints.
Improved Mental Health: A number of studies have found that women who are physically active have higher results on mental function tests than their more inactive peers. There is much research surrounding this that suggests exercises boosts activity in the brain, which then elevates the individual’s mood.
Increases life expectancy: A number of studies have found that women who participate in regular physical activity live longer than women who are inactive. Physical activity is not only formal exercise but daily activities such as cleaning or gardening.
For information about our exercise and training programmes contact our patient services team who will arrange an assessment with one of our Chartered Physiotherapists.
