Importance of Exercise Essay

500 words essay on exercise essay.

Exercise is basically any physical activity that we perform on a repetitive basis for relaxing our body and taking away all the mental stress. It is important to do regular exercise. When you do this on a daily basis, you become fit both physically and mentally. Moreover, not exercising daily can make a person susceptible to different diseases. Thus, just like eating food daily, we must also exercise daily. The importance of exercise essay will throw more light on it.

importance of exercise essay

Importance of Exercise

Exercising is most essential for proper health and fitness. Moreover, it is essential for every sphere of life. Especially today’s youth need to exercise more than ever. It is because the junk food they consume every day can hamper their quality of life.

If you are not healthy, you cannot lead a happy life and won’t be able to contribute to the expansion of society. Thus, one needs to exercise to beat all these problems. But, it is not just about the youth but also about every member of the society.

These days, physical activities take places in colleges more than often. The professionals are called to the campus for organizing physical exercises. Thus, it is a great opportunity for everyone who wishes to do it.

Just like exercise is important for college kids, it is also essential for office workers. The desk job requires the person to sit at the desk for long hours without breaks. This gives rise to a very unhealthy lifestyle.

They get a limited amount of exercise as they just sit all day then come back home and sleep. Therefore, it is essential to exercise to adopt a healthy lifestyle that can also prevent any damaging diseases .

Benefits of Exercise

Exercise has a lot of benefits in today’s world. First of all, it helps in maintaining your weight. Moreover, it also helps you reduce weight if you are overweight. It is because you burn calories when you exercise.

Further, it helps in developing your muscles. Thus, the rate of your body will increases which helps to burn calories. Moreover, it also helps in improving the oxygen level and blood flow of the body.

When you exercise daily, your brain cells will release frequently. This helps in producing cells in the hippocampus. Moreover, it is the part of the brain which helps to learn and control memory.

The concentration level in your body will improve which will ultimately lower the danger of disease like Alzheimer’s. In addition, you can also reduce the strain on your heart through exercise. Finally, it controls the blood sugar levels of your body so it helps to prevent or delay diabetes.

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Conclusion of Importance of Exercise Essay

In order to live life healthily, it is essential to exercise for mental and physical development. Thus, exercise is important for the overall growth of a person. It is essential to maintain a balance between work, rest and activities. So, make sure to exercise daily.

FAQ of Importance of Exercise Essay

Question 1: What is the importance of exercise?

Answer 1: Exercise helps people lose weight and lower the risk of some diseases. When you exercise daily, you lower the risk of developing some diseases like obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and more. It also helps to keep your body at a healthy weight.

Question 2: Why is exercising important for students?

Answer 2: Exercising is important for students because it helps students to enhance their cardiorespiratory fitness and build strong bones and muscles. In addition, it also controls weight and reduces the symptoms of anxiety and depression. Further, it can also reduce the risk of health conditions like heart diseases and more.

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Physical Exercise Essay - 100, 200, 500 Words

A critical factor in determining health is physical exercise. Everyone benefits from physical activity, which not only keeps you healthy and robust but, when started early, can form positive habits for life. However, there are occasions when people neglect their physical health, leading to problems that harm our health. Here are a few sample essays on physical exercise.

100 Words Essay on Physical Exercise

200 word essay on physical exercise, 500 words essay on physical exercise, importance of exercise, types of exercises.

Physical Exercise Essay - 100, 200, 500 Words

"Health is Wealth" happiness comes from having good health. Physical fitness and mental alertness can be accomplished by exercise. We all should play different types of sports for physical fitness. Physical activity can help us maintain good health and keep away from diseases. Many diseases happen due to a lack of physical activity, like heart problems, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes. We should do a variety of yoga and physical exercise to stay in good physical and mental health. Yoga is one of the best forms of exercise for maintaining good health and can also help in reducing stress.

Physical exercise is essential for maintaining physical fitness and can contribute to maintaining a healthy weight, regulating the digestive system, and building and maintaining nutritional bone density.

Various Kinds of Physical Exercise

There are numerous ways to exercise, including walking, riding a bike, swimming, and playing various outdoor sports. Following are some of the activities that people can do to remain physically fit—

Yard work (mowing, raking)

Climbing stairs or hills.

Playing outdoor sports.

Importance:

People without good health cannot enjoy the abundance of wealth. Physical exercise improves our memory and brain function among all age groups. It protects against many chronic diseases. Physical activity helps in weight management and improves heart health. Most importantly, it reduces feelings of anxiety and depression and improves our quality of sleep.

Disadvantages of Not Exercising

Circulatory System Problems

Weight Gain

Joint and Bone Fragility

Lack of Endurance

Lack of Physical Strength When You Need It.

Loss of Balance

Loss of Flexibility

Loss of Mobility

Engaging in regular physical activity always produces improvements in physical health and psychological well-being. Physical exercise reduces the risk of diseases, improvements in physical functioning, and fitness, and overall improves quality of life.

Exercise is the repetitive performance of physical work or physical exercise to unwind the body and relieve mental stress. Physical Exercise should be done every day throughout everyone's life.

If someone exercises regularly, the benefits of doing so are frequently noticeable relatively fast. A person needs to be physically and intellectually fit because, as we have all heard, "A healthy mind dwells in a healthy body". So exercising every day is necessary if one wants to stay healthy and fit. In our daily lives, exercise is essential. It helps in maintaining our physical fitness.

Exercise will help you lose weight rapidly if you're overweight because it burns calories while working out. Even though you aren't exercising, your body's weight will increase as your muscles grow, which will cause you to burn more calories than usual. Exercise will also help improve our body's blood flow and oxygen levels.

Exercise causes the brain cells to release them more frequently, which helps in the hippocampus's generation of new cells. The brain's hippocampus is the area that assists in memory regulation and learning.

Reducing vital signs, which can assist in lessening the strain on your heart, is one of the additional health benefits of exercise for the soul.

Your body will have a low risk of getting cardiac ailments if you exercise regularly and eat healthily.

Exercise also helps to control our body's blood sugar levels. They will contribute to the prevention or postponement of type 2 diabetes. One of the leading causes of diabetes is being overweight, which can be managed with daily exercise.

Exercise helps in revitalising and reconditioning our entire body. It helps in the development of strong muscles. Exercise can help people lose weight or prevent obesity. It preserves the young and slows down the process of ageing.

Exercise is essential for maintaining health and fitness because it is necessary for all aspects of life.

Everyone should exercise to maintain a healthy lifestyle and stay free from diseases.

Both mental and physical development is essential for success in life . Exercise is, therefore, crucial for one's general development. We should keep a healthy balance between school, rest, and activities.

  • Morning walk

Gymnastics exercise

Free-Hand Exercises

Outdoor sports

My Experience

At the age of 16, I was too fat and unable to run for more than 5 minutes. Due to my weight, I was suffering from many types of diseases. Soon after this, my father pushed me to exercise every morning because exercise frees our body and mind from stress. Every morning my father and I started going to the garden to do activities like yoga, morning walk, flexibility, and many more. In school, our physical education teacher also took all children to the ground to exercise and play outdoor games. Later, I noticed that I was recovering slowly from several diseases and lost a lot of weight. I could see the difference in my energy levels and overall performance and realised that we all should exercise every day.

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  • Importance Of Exercises Essay

Importance of Exercise Essay

500+ words essay on the importance of exercise.

We all know that exercise is extremely important in our daily lives, but we may not know why or what exercise can do. It’s important to remember that we have evolved from nomadic ancestors who spent all their time moving around in search of food and shelter, travelling large distances on a daily basis. Our bodies are designed and have evolved to be regularly active. Over time, people may come across problems if they sit down all day at a desk or in front of the TV and minimise the amount of exercise they do. Exercise is a bodily movement performed in order to develop or maintain physical fitness and good health overall. Exercise leads to the physical exertion of sufficient intensity, duration and frequency to achieve or maintain vigour and health. This essay on the importance of exercise will help students become familiar with the several benefits of doing exercise regularly. They must go through this essay so as to get an idea of how to write essays on similar topics.

Need of Exercise

The human body is like a complex and delicate machine which comprises several small parts. A slight malfunction of one part leads to the breakdown of the machine. In a similar way, if such a situation arises in the human body, it also leads to malfunctioning of the body. Exercise is one of the healthy lifestyles which contributes to optimum health and quality of life. People who exercise regularly can reduce their risk of death. By doing exercise, active people increase their life expectancy by two years compared to inactive people. Regular exercise and good physical fitness enhance the quality of life in many ways. Physical fitness and exercise can help us to look good, feel good, and enjoy life. Moreover, exercise provides an enjoyable way to spend leisure time.

Exercise helps a person develop emotional balance and maintain a strong self-image. As people get older, exercise becomes more important. This is because, after the age of 30, the heart’s blood pumping capacity declines at a rate of about 8 per cent each decade. Exercise is also vital for a child’s overall development. Exercising helps to maintain a healthy weight by stoking our metabolism, utilizing and burning the extra calories.

Types of Exercise

There are three broad intensities of exercise:

1) Light exercise – Going for a walk is an example of light exercise. In this, the exerciser is able to talk while exercising.

2) Moderate exercise – Here, the exerciser feels slightly out of breath during the session. Examples could be walking briskly, cycling moderately or walking up a hill.

3) Vigorous exercise – While performing this exercise, the exerciser is panting during the activity. The exerciser feels his/her body being pushed much nearer its limit compared to the other two intensities. This could include running, cycling fast, and heavy-weight training.

Importance of Exercise

Regular exercise increases our fitness level and physical stamina. It plays a crucial role in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. It can help with blood lipid abnormalities, diabetes and obesity. Moreover, it can help to reduce blood pressure. Regular exercise substantially reduces the risk of dying of coronary heart disease and eases the risk of stroke and colon cancer. People of all age groups benefit from exercising.

Exercise can be effective in improving the mental well-being of human beings. It relieves human stress and anxiety. When we come back from work or school, we feel exhausted after a whole day of work. If we can go out to have a walk or jog for at least 30 minutes, it makes us feel happy and relaxed. A number of studies have found that a lifestyle that includes exercise helps alleviate depression. Those who can maintain regular exercise will also reduce their chances of seeing a doctor. Without physical activity, the body’s muscles lose their strength, endurance and ability to function properly. Regular exercise keeps all parts of the body in continuous activity. It improves overall health and fitness, as well as decreases the risk of many chronic diseases. Therefore, physical exercise is very important in our life.

Exercise can play a significant role in keeping the individual, society, community and nation wealthy. If the citizens of a country are healthy, the country is sure to touch heights in every facet of life. The country’s healthy generation can achieve the highest marks in various fields and thereby enable their country to win laurels and glory at the international level. The first step is always the hardest. However, if we can overcome it, and exercise for 21 days continuously, it will be a new beginning for a healthy life.

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Frequently Asked Questions on the Importance of Exercises Essay

What are the benefits of exercising regularly.

Regular exercise helps in the relaxation of the mind and body and keeps the body fit. It improves flexibility and blood circulation.

Which are some of the easy exercises that can be done at home?

Sit-ups, bicycle crunches, squats, lunges and planks are examples of easy exercises which can be done at home without the help of costly equipment.

Is cycling an effective form of exercise?

Cycling is a low-impact exercise and acts as a good muscle workout.

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Exercise: 7 benefits of regular physical activity.

You know exercise is good for you, but do you know how good? From boosting your mood to improving your sex life, find out how exercise can improve your life.

Want to feel better, have more energy and even add years to your life? Just exercise.

The health benefits of regular exercise and physical activity are hard to ignore. Everyone benefits from exercise, no matter their age, sex or physical ability.

Need more convincing to get moving? Check out these seven ways that exercise can lead to a happier, healthier you.

1. Exercise controls weight

Exercise can help prevent excess weight gain or help you keep off lost weight. When you take part in physical activity, you burn calories. The more intense the activity, the more calories you burn.

Regular trips to the gym are great, but don't worry if you can't find a large chunk of time to exercise every day. Any amount of activity is better than none. To gain the benefits of exercise, just get more active throughout your day. For example, take the stairs instead of the elevator or rev up your household chores. Consistency is key.

2. Exercise combats health conditions and diseases

Worried about heart disease? Hoping to prevent high blood pressure? No matter what your current weight is, being active boosts high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, the "good" cholesterol, and it decreases unhealthy triglycerides. This one-two punch keeps your blood flowing smoothly, which lowers your risk of heart and blood vessel, called cardiovascular, diseases.

Regular exercise helps prevent or manage many health problems and concerns, including:

  • Metabolic syndrome.
  • High blood pressure.
  • Type 2 diabetes.
  • Depression.
  • Many types of cancer.

It also can help improve cognitive function and helps lower the risk of death from all causes.

3. Exercise improves mood

Need an emotional lift? Or need to lower stress after a stressful day? A gym session or brisk walk can help. Physical activity stimulates many brain chemicals that may leave you feeling happier, more relaxed and less anxious.

You also may feel better about your appearance and yourself when you exercise regularly, which can boost your confidence and improve your self-esteem.

4. Exercise boosts energy

Winded by grocery shopping or household chores? Regular physical activity can improve your muscle strength and boost your endurance.

Exercise sends oxygen and nutrients to your tissues and helps your cardiovascular system work more efficiently. And when your heart and lung health improve, you have more energy to tackle daily chores.

5. Exercise promotes better sleep

Struggling to snooze? Regular physical activity can help you fall asleep faster, get better sleep and deepen your sleep. Just don't exercise too close to bedtime, or you may be too energized to go to sleep.

6. Exercise puts the spark back into your sex life

Do you feel too tired or too out of shape to enjoy physical intimacy? Regular physical activity can improve energy levels and give you more confidence about your physical appearance, which may boost your sex life.

But there's even more to it than that. Regular physical activity may enhance arousal for women. And men who exercise regularly are less likely to have problems with erectile dysfunction than are men who don't exercise.

7. Exercise can be fun — and social!

Exercise and physical activity can be fun. They give you a chance to unwind, enjoy the outdoors or simply do activities that make you happy. Physical activity also can help you connect with family or friends in a fun social setting.

So take a dance class, hit the hiking trails or join a soccer team. Find a physical activity you enjoy, and just do it. Bored? Try something new, or do something with friends or family.

Exercise to feel better and have fun

Exercise and physical activity are great ways to feel better, boost your health and have fun. For most healthy adults, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends these exercise guidelines:

Aerobic activity. Get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity. Or get at least 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity a week. You also can get an equal combination of moderate and vigorous activity. Aim to spread out this exercise over a few days or more in a week.

For even more health benefits, the guidelines suggest getting 300 minutes a week or more of moderate aerobic activity. Exercising this much may help with weight loss or keeping off lost weight. But even small amounts of physical activity can be helpful. Being active for short periods of time during the day can add up and have health benefits.

  • Strength training. Do strength training exercises for all major muscle groups at least two times a week. One set of each exercise is enough for health and fitness benefits. Use a weight or resistance level heavy enough to tire your muscles after about 12 to 15 repetitions.

Moderate aerobic exercise includes activities such as brisk walking, biking, swimming and mowing the lawn.

Vigorous aerobic exercise includes activities such as running, swimming laps, heavy yardwork and aerobic dancing.

You can do strength training by using weight machines or free weights, your own body weight, heavy bags, or resistance bands. You also can use resistance paddles in the water or do activities such as rock climbing.

If you want to lose weight, keep off lost weight or meet specific fitness goals, you may need to exercise more.

Remember to check with a health care professional before starting a new exercise program, especially if you have any concerns about your fitness or haven't exercised for a long time. Also check with a health care professional if you have chronic health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes or arthritis.

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  • AskMayoExpert. Physical activity (adult). Mayo Clinic; 2021.
  • Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. 2nd ed. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://health.gov/our-work/physical-activity/current-guidelines. Accessed June 25, 2021.
  • Peterson DM. The benefits and risk of aerobic exercise. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed June 24, 2021.
  • Maseroli E, et al. Physical activity and female sexual dysfunction: A lot helps, but not too much. The Journal of Sexual Medicine. 2021; doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2021.04.004.
  • Allen MS. Physical activity as an adjunct treatment for erectile dysfunction. Nature Reviews: Urology. 2019; doi:10.1038/s41585-019-0210-6.
  • Tips for starting physical activity. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/weight-management/tips-get-active/tips-starting-physical-activity. Accessed June 25, 2021.
  • Laskowski ER (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. June 16, 2021.

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Physical Exercises and Their Health Benefits Essay

Exercises that include physical activities are very essential to both body and mental health of human beings. In fact this is one of the areas where many studies have been conducted by scholars from different parts of the world to show that exercise is essential to all people regardless of their age, sex and occupation. Healthcare givers also recommend that patients with chronic sicknesses should do some workouts to facilitate their healing. According to the recent studies on the importance of exercise to human beings, it is evident that people have begun to realize the need for doing exercise. In fact people from different parts of the world participate in various exercises and other physical activity in order to keep fit and remain healthy. This paper highlights some of the major importance of workouts to our bodies and why people should do exercises.

One of the major benefits of exercise is that it helps in maintaining a healthy body weight. Cases of people being overweight are common in the modern society due to people shying away from physical activities and desire for junk food. Change of lifestyles has made many people to be overweight and this comes with health complications. Participating in physical activity burns calories and this promotes weight loss. Exercises also help in maintaining weight loss among those working on how to lose some of their body weight.

Exercise makes an individual stronger and boosts the body energy. Some people are very weak to an extent that they are heavily fatigued by simple duties such as doing shopping or doing basic domestic chores. Regular exercise improves bone and muscle strength and give gives the body endurance to tiring activities. When you participate in regular workouts, oxygen and other necessary nutrients are delivered to the lungs, heart and other vital body organs to ensure that they are functioning well. Consequently, a person is able to do simple routine tasks without getting easily exhausted.

Exercise also improves moods and looks. Studies show that people who do not participate in any physical activities and workouts are mostly in bad moods and gloomy. Ordinarily, people get involved in some activities that may lower their moods and exercise helps in improving moods and maintain the charming appearance. Simple workouts stimulate the brain to release some chemicals that make an individual feel happy and relaxed. This also improves the facial looks therefore raising self-esteem and confidence. For those who want to keep fit and maintain certain body looks such as models, sports people and celebrities, exercise helps in achieving the desired physical body appearances.

Exercise is also believed to promote good sleeping habits. Sometimes it becomes difficult to fall asleep or to remain asleep especially after a busy day. Regular exercise can help in promoting better sleep and ensure that it is a continuous one. To the married people, sex life is important and cannot be taken for granted. However, this has become a major challenge to the modern couples because many people retire to their beds feeling too tired to participate in physical intimacy. Exercise makes helps in maintaining a positive sex life and it promotes arousal for both women and men. Studies show that regular physical activity helps men to overcome erectile dysfunction making sex life more enjoyable.

Exercise is also paramount for maintaining better health. Regular workouts improve the immune system and this reduces the chances of getting sick. However, it is worth noting that over exercising can destroy the body immune system. Additionally, regular exercise reduces stress thereby contributing to a healthy living. Regular workouts take the body and mind from the stressing activities and this relieves the body the weight of the stress. The energy used in handling stress is therefore used for other productive processes of the body. Some people suffer from poor digestion and metabolism especially the elderly ones. Exercise helps in ensuring that digestion and absorption of food in the body take place as well. Workouts also increase the rate of metabolisms and the end result is good health. For those doing trainings such as weight lifting and muscle builders, workouts promotes muscle buildup and helps in changing the body shape to the desired body shape. Regular exercise also improves the body stamina and enhances flexibility and stability. Workouts stretch the body and ensure a good posture. This is vital for body stability and it also prevents early body aging. It also reduces the chances of getting easily injured when doing routine duties.

Generally, it is evident that exercise is good for both our mental and body health. It is also worth noting that exercise is enjoyable and can be used to bring people close to their friends. Physical activity is fun and it gives people an opportunity to participate in things that make them happy. Participating in a dance class or soccer club is very enjoyable and makes you to feel relaxed. However it is important for the people with special health conditions to ensure that they have consulted their healthcare for advice on the best workouts to avoid more harm to their body.

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Physical Exercise Essay & Paragraph

Physical exercise is important to keep the body healthy and the mind sound. It strengthens the limbs of the body, helps digestion, and keeps diseases away. There are also many other benefits to physical exercise. At school, examinees are often asked to write essays and paragraphs about physical exercise. This is why we have shared a bunch of essays and paragraphs on physical exercise here, ranging from 100 to 500 words, suitable for students of all classes.

Benefits of Physical Exercise Essay Paragraph in English

Table of Contents

Physical Exercise Essay for Class 10

Introduction:.

Physical exercise means the movement of the limbs of your body. It is good for health. Without it, none can enjoy good health.

Various kinds of Physical Exercise:

There are many kinds of physical exercises. All of them are not suitable for everybody. Those who are strong in the body can take all forms of exercise. The old and weak should not take hard exercise. Walking, swimming, rowing, and gymnastics, etc. are some good forms of exercise. Different kinds of games such as football, cricket, hockey, etc are kinds of healthy exercise. We must take physical exercise regularly. We must take it in the open air.

Benefits or Importance:

Physical exercise preserves and improves our health. It makes a man strong, active and keeps him free from diseases. Our body is like a machine. It can be kept in good condition by taking physical exercise. There is a close connection between the mind and the body. “A sound mind in a sound body” is a proverb. Physical exercise promotes our health and brings peace to our minds. Physical exercise is the key to good health. It is a cure for many diseases. For good health, it is not enough to eat only good food. The food must be digested. For this reason, some kind of physical exercise is necessary.

Its Importance for Students:

The students need to exercise much. They use their brains in their studies. Physical exercise refreshes their brain. It makes them cheerful.

Evils of not taking Physical Exercise:

Those who do not take exercise fall victim to many diseases and become unfit for any work. A man of ill health can’t enjoy life. He is a burden to the family and society. He losses all interest and happiness in life.

Effect of Over-exercise:

It should be remembered that excess of anything is bad. Exercise is good. But over-exercise is injurious to our health. Moreover, after physical exercise, one should take a rest.

Conclusion:

Health is the root of all happiness. So, we should take physical exercise regularly. It keeps the body fit and healthy.

Check also: Swimming Essay and Paragraph

Benefits of Physical Exercise Essay Physical-Exercise Paragraph in English

Physical Exercise Essay, 250 Words

Introduction/Definition: Regularly taking exercise physically is called physical exercise. It helps to have a fit body and sound mind and also saves from diseases. An unhealthy person is always uncomfortable with his body, he cannot concentrate on studies or any other work.

Various kinds of physical exercise: There are different kinds of physical exercise such as walking, riding, swimming, and all kinds of outdoor games. All of them are not suitable for all. Football, cricket, hockey, badminton, etc. are good for a healthy man and walking, swimming, riding, racing, gymnastics, etc. are good for an unhealthy man and an old man.

Usefulness/ Importance: A healthy man is a happy man. A man who has no health is unhappy and is out of all the joys of life. He finds no pleasure or interest in anything. Life is a burden and a curse to him. One needs the blessing of life in order to enjoy. So, he should make good health by taking physical exercise regularly. It should be taken as far as possible in the open air.

Evils of not taking physical exercise: Those who do not take exercise regularly lose their health very soon. They do not find interest and happiness in life.

Conclusion: Health is the root of all happiness, So, a word goes, ‘Health is wealth’. That is why we should take physical exercise regularly to keep the body fit and to have a sound mind. To take over-exercise is harmful to weak or old men.

Physical Exercise Essay, 300 Words

Write a composition about physical exercise by using the following hints: Introduction, Kinds of exercise, Importance of physical exercise, Effects of neglecting physical exercise, Conclusion.

Physical exercise means the regular movement of the limbs of our body according to certain rules. Keeping our body fit and our mind healthy is essential for viable life. Physical exercise keeps our body healthy and our mind refreshed. So, we should take physical exercise regularly. It helps to develop the growth of different organs of the body properly. Without it, none can enjoy sound health. It makes a man strong, active and keeps him free from the curse of idleness.

There are various kinds of physical exercise. Running, walking, and swimming are good forms of exercise. Gymnastics and wrestling are also good kinds of exercise. Modern outdoor and indoor games are also known as physical exercise. However, not all types of exercise are beneficial for everyone. Those who are strong can easily take all forms of exercise. But the weak and the old can’t take hard exercise.

Exercise is very important. The body and the mind are closely related. A proverb says, “a sound mind lies in a sound body”. It is a physical exercise that enables us to build good health and it is the key to success. It helps proper blood circulation in our body and increases the power of digestion.

There are people who do not take physical exercise. They are soon seen to decline in health. They fall a victim to various kinds of diseases. Life becomes dull to them. They do not find any energy. They cannot enjoy their life. In a word, life becomes meaningless to them.

Our body is just like a machine. It can be spoiled if not taken care of regularly. So, without regular exercise, we cannot expect to enjoy good health. We should take some kinds of exercise every day to improve our health and mind. It keeps our mind away from the drudgery of work and fills it with joy.

Physical exercise is a practice of parts of the body usually in an open place for keeping one’s body in good condition. It is necessary for every person to keep him fit and active. It preserves and improves our health.

There are various forms of physical exercise. Most games are good forms of exercise. They serve a double purpose – physical exercise and amusement. The playing of football, cricket, hockey, tennis, badminton, Ha-du-du, Daria-bandha, Gollachut, Kabadi, etc are good forms of physical exercise. Walking, racing, boxing, swimming, riding, cycling, wrestling, gymnastics, etc. are very common forms of physical exercise.

All forms of exercise are not suitable for people of all ages. The old can take part in light forms of exercise like walking. The women in our country have little scope to take part in physical exercise. So by doing household work like washing clothes or sweeping the floor they can keep their body fit.

Regular physical exercise gives us strength, courage, vigor, and energy. It keeps us fit, active, and mentally alive. It activates our thinking, feeling, and willing faculties. It is truly said that a healthy person processes a sound mind in a sound body. That is everyone should have good physical and mental health. The persons who do brain work need physical exercise more. A farmer or a day laborer does not need extra physical exercise because he is always engaged in physical labor. But the persons who do brainwork have little scope to do physical labor. So physical exercise is a must for them. In some cases, physical exercise prevents as well cures diseases. We depend on it for the restoration of health. Generally, it is good for digestion. It is the best medicine for some diseases. While taking exercise, one gets fresh air in open fields. It is conducive to good health. If one neglects physical exercise, he is attacked by various diseases. Life becomes a burden to him.

Nowadays our educational institutions and the government have realized the importance of physical exercise for the students. But still very much remains to be done. More facilities should be given to the students so that they can practice physical exercise.

Have a look: Essay & Paragraph on Discipline

Benefits of Physical Exercise Essay, 400 Words

Introduction: Physical exercise is an essential aspect of maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Regular physical activity has numerous benefits for both the body and mind, including improved cardiovascular health, weight management, and reduced risk of chronic diseases. In this essay, we will discuss the various benefits of physical exercise and why it is important to make it a part of our daily routine.

Physical Health Benefits: One of the most obvious benefits of regular physical exercise is its impact on physical health. Regular exercise can improve cardiovascular health by strengthening the heart and reducing the risk of heart disease. It can also help with weight management by burning calories and increasing muscle mass. Additionally, regular exercise can help to lower blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels, which are both risk factors for heart disease.

Exercise and Mental Health: Physical exercise also has a positive impact on mental health. Regular physical activity can help to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. It can also improve cognitive function and promote better sleep. Exercise releases endorphins, which are chemicals in the brain that make us feel good. Endorphins can improve mood and reduce feelings of anxiety and depression.

Preventing Chronic Diseases: Another benefit of physical exercise is its ability to reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, osteoporosis, and certain types of cancer. Regular physical activity can help to regulate blood sugar levels, strengthen bones, and increase muscle mass. This can reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases and improve overall health.

Social Benefits: Physical exercise can also have a positive impact on social well-being. Joining a sports team or exercise class can provide a sense of community and belonging. Exercise can also be a great way to meet new people and make friends. Additionally, exercise can help to improve self-esteem and body image, which can have a positive impact on social interactions and relationships.

Conclusion: In conclusion, regular physical exercise is an essential aspect of maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle. It has numerous benefits for both the body and mind, including improved cardiovascular health, weight management, and reduced risk of chronic diseases. Additionally, it can improve mental health, and reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. Making physical exercise a part of our daily routine can have a profound impact on our overall well-being.

Physical Exercise Paragraph, 150 Words

Physical exercise means moving the parts of a body in a special way. It is the precondition of good health. It is as important for good health as food and rest. There are different/various kinds of physical exercise. We can do them indoors and outdoors. We can stretch different parts of our bodies. But we need to go out for playing, swimming, or simply walking. All forms of exercise are not suitable for all. The hand form of exercise like swimming, running, playing, jumping are suitable for the young, not for the old. Physical exercise does a lot of good to us. It helps to circulate our blood correctly. It increases our digestion power. The greatest work it does is to keep us fit for work. It gives us energy, makes us strong and cheerful. It teaches us regularity and discipline. We must take physical exercise regularly to preserve our sound health.

Physical Exercise Paragraph, 100 Words

Exercise means the movement of body parts. It is a great way to maintain a healthy body and sound mind. It preserves and improves our health. So, it is important to exercise regularly. There are many ways to exercise, such as walking, running, swimming, cycling, rowing, playing, jumping, and weightlifting. Students and teenagers who play football, cricket, Hadudu, etc., or swim often, get their exercise through play. Similarly, through hard work, farmers and workers also stay healthy and strong, without exercising separately. But it is important to exercise regularly, especially for those who are lazy or do not do physical labor.

Physical Exercise Essay, 500 Words

Introduction: Physical exercise is an essential component of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Regular exercise can help to improve overall fitness, increase strength and flexibility, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. In this essay, we will discuss the benefits of physical exercise, the different types of exercise that can be done, and the importance of consistency in order to see results.

Benefits of Physical Exercise: One of the most significant benefits of regular exercise is that it can help to improve cardiovascular health. This can lower the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke. Exercise also helps to improve muscle strength and flexibility, which can help to reduce the risk of injury and improve overall mobility. Additionally, regular exercise can help to improve mental health, reducing the risk of depression and anxiety.

Physical exercise can also have a positive effect on weight management. Regular exercise can help to increase muscle mass, which in turn can help to boost metabolism. This can make it easier to maintain a healthy weight, or to lose weight if necessary.

Types of Exercise: There are many different types of exercise that can be done to achieve the benefits outlined above. Aerobic exercise, such as running, cycling, and swimming, is great for cardiovascular health. Strength training, such as weightlifting, can help to build muscle and improve bone density. Yoga and Pilates are great for flexibility and balance. And stretching and flexibility training can also be beneficial for overall fitness.

Also, those who do physical work such as farmers, sailors, fishermen, masons or day laborers get physical exercise through their work. If you are someone in a profession that requires you to sit and work most of the time, you can create a vegetable or flower garden on a piece of land in your backyard. If you dig the ground with a spade every morning, you will get excellent physical exercise.

Importance of Consistency: To see the benefits of physical exercise, it is important to be consistent with your workouts. This means committing to regular exercise, and making it a part of your daily routine. It is also important to vary your workouts to keep them interesting and challenging, and to gradually increase the intensity of your workouts as you become more fit. It is also important to consult a physician before starting a new exercise program, especially if you have any medical conditions or injuries.

Conclusion: Physical exercise is an essential component of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Regular exercise can help to improve cardiovascular health, muscle strength, flexibility, mental health and weight management. There are many different types of exercise that can be done to achieve these benefits, and it is important to be consistent with your workouts and to gradually increase the intensity as you become more fit. Consult a physician before starting a new exercise program, especially if you have any medical conditions or injuries. Exercise is not only essential for a healthy body but also for a healthy mind. Regular exercise is a great way to boost your mood and reduce stress.

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Home — Essay Samples — Nursing & Health — Physical Exercise — The Importance of Exercise for a Healthy Lifestyle

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The Importance of Exercise for a Healthy Lifestyle

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Published: Mar 16, 2024

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Impact on physical health, impact on mental health, barriers to exercise.

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essay about physical exercise

Physical Activity Is Good for the Mind and the Body

essay about physical exercise

Health and Well-Being Matter is the monthly blog of the Director of the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.

Everyone has their own way to “recharge” their sense of well-being — something that makes them feel good physically, emotionally, and spiritually even if they aren’t consciously aware of it. Personally, I know that few things can improve my day as quickly as a walk around the block or even just getting up from my desk and doing some push-ups. A hike through the woods is ideal when I can make it happen. But that’s me. It’s not simply that I enjoy these activities but also that they literally make me feel better and clear my mind.

Mental health and physical health are closely connected. No kidding — what’s good for the body is often good for the mind. Knowing what you can do physically that has this effect for you will change your day and your life.

Physical activity has many well-established mental health benefits. These are published in the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans and include improved brain health and cognitive function (the ability to think, if you will), a reduced risk of anxiety and depression, and improved sleep and overall quality of life. Although not a cure-all, increasing physical activity directly contributes to improved mental health and better overall health and well-being.

Learning how to routinely manage stress and getting screened for depression are simply good prevention practices. Awareness is especially critical at this time of year when disruptions to healthy habits and choices can be more likely and more jarring. Shorter days and colder temperatures have a way of interrupting routines — as do the holidays, with both their joys and their stresses. When the plentiful sunshine and clear skies of temperate months give way to unpredictable weather, less daylight, and festive gatherings, it may happen unconsciously or seem natural to be distracted from being as physically active. However, that tendency is precisely why it’s so important that we are ever more mindful of our physical and emotional health — and how we can maintain both — during this time of year.

Roughly half of all people in the United States will be diagnosed with a mental health disorder at some point in their lifetime, with anxiety and anxiety disorders being the most common. Major depression, another of the most common mental health disorders, is also a leading cause of disability for middle-aged adults. Compounding all of this, mental health disorders like depression and anxiety can affect people’s ability to take part in health-promoting behaviors, including physical activity. In addition, physical health problems can contribute to mental health problems and make it harder for people to get treatment for mental health disorders.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the need to take care of our physical and emotional health to light even more so these past 2 years. Recently, the U.S. Surgeon General highlighted how the pandemic has exacerbated the mental health crisis in youth .

The good news is that even small amounts of physical activity can immediately reduce symptoms of anxiety in adults and older adults. Depression has also shown to be responsive to physical activity. Research suggests that increased physical activity, of any kind, can improve depression symptoms experienced by people across the lifespan. Engaging in regular physical activity has also been shown to reduce the risk of developing depression in children and adults.

Though the seasons and our life circumstances may change, our basic needs do not. Just as we shift from shorts to coats or fresh summer fruits and vegetables to heartier fall food choices, so too must we shift our seasonal approach to how we stay physically active. Some of that is simply adapting to conditions: bundling up for a walk, wearing the appropriate shoes, or playing in the snow with the kids instead of playing soccer in the grass.

Sometimes there’s a bit more creativity involved. Often this means finding ways to simplify activity or make it more accessible. For example, it may not be possible to get to the gym or even take a walk due to weather or any number of reasons. In those instances, other options include adding new types of movement — such as impromptu dance parties at home — or doing a few household chores (yes, it all counts as physical activity).

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I built a makeshift gym in my garage as an alternative to driving back and forth to the gym several miles from home. That has not only saved me time and money but also afforded me the opportunity to get 15 to 45 minutes of muscle-strengthening physical activity in at odd times of the day.

For more ideas on how to get active — on any day — or for help finding the motivation to get started, check out this Move Your Way® video .

The point to remember is that no matter the approach, the Physical Activity Guidelines recommend that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (anything that gets your heart beating faster) each week and at least 2 days per week of muscle-strengthening activity (anything that makes your muscles work harder than usual). Youth need 60 minutes or more of physical activity each day. Preschool-aged children ages 3 to 5 years need to be active throughout the day — with adult caregivers encouraging active play — to enhance growth and development. Striving toward these goals and then continuing to get physical activity, in some shape or form, contributes to better health outcomes both immediately and over the long term.

For youth, sports offer additional avenues to more physical activity and improved mental health. Youth who participate in sports may enjoy psychosocial health benefits beyond the benefits they gain from other forms of leisure-time physical activity. Psychological health benefits include higher levels of perceived competence, confidence, and self-esteem — not to mention the benefits of team building, leadership, and resilience, which are important skills to apply on the field and throughout life. Research has also shown that youth sports participants have a reduced risk of suicide and suicidal thoughts and tendencies. Additionally, team sports participation during adolescence may lead to better mental health outcomes in adulthood (e.g., less anxiety and depression) for people exposed to adverse childhood experiences. In addition to the physical and mental health benefits, sports can be just plain fun.

Physical activity’s implications for significant positive effects on mental health and social well-being are enormous, impacting every facet of life. In fact, because of this national imperative, the presidential executive order that re-established the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition explicitly seeks to “expand national awareness of the importance of mental health as it pertains to physical fitness and nutrition.” While physical activity is not a substitute for mental health treatment when needed and it’s not the answer to certain mental health challenges, it does play a significant role in our emotional and cognitive well-being.

No matter how we choose to be active during the holiday season — or any season — every effort to move counts toward achieving recommended physical activity goals and will have positive impacts on both the mind and the body. Along with preventing diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and the additional risks associated with these comorbidities, physical activity’s positive effect on mental health is yet another important reason to be active and Move Your Way .

As for me… I think it’s time for a walk. Happy and healthy holidays, everyone!

Yours in health, Paul

Paul Reed, MD Rear Admiral, U.S. Public Health Service Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health Director, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

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Essay on Physical Fitness

Students are often asked to write an essay on Physical Fitness in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Physical Fitness

What is physical fitness.

Physical fitness is about having a body that can do many activities without getting too tired. It means your heart, muscles, and bones are strong. When you are fit, you can run, jump, and play without feeling out of breath quickly.

Why is Fitness Important?

Being fit is good for your health. It helps you stay away from sickness. Kids who are fit can focus better in school. It also makes you feel happy and gives you more energy to enjoy life.

How to Get Fit

To get fit, you should be active. Run, swim, or play sports. Also, eat healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, and grains. Drink plenty of water and sleep well to help your body grow strong.

Staying Safe While Exercising

When you exercise, it’s important to be safe. Wear the right shoes and clothes. Start slow and learn the right way to move. Always listen to your body and rest if you feel pain or are very tired.

Also check:

  • Paragraph on Physical Fitness
  • Speech on Physical Fitness

250 Words Essay on Physical Fitness

Physical fitness means being in good health and shape. It’s when your body can do activities like running, jumping, and playing games without getting too tired quickly. Being fit is important for everyone, no matter how old they are. It helps us stay strong and healthy.

Parts of Physical Fitness

There are two main parts of being fit: aerobic fitness and muscle strength. Aerobic fitness is about how well your heart and lungs work when you exercise. When you can run for a long time without stopping, that’s good aerobic fitness. Muscle strength is when your muscles can lift things or do work without getting tired fast.

Why Being Fit Matters

Being fit is great for your body. It helps you not get sick often and can make you feel happier. When you’re fit, you can play with your friends and not feel like you need to stop and rest all the time. It also means you might not get hurt as often.

Getting fit can be fun. You can play sports, dance, swim, or even just go for walks. Eating healthy foods like fruits and vegetables helps too. It’s important to exercise a few times a week and not sit around too much.

Staying Fit

Once you’re fit, you have to keep exercising to stay that way. It’s like a game where you have to keep practicing to be good at it. Remember to stay active and eat well, and being fit will become a part of your life.

500 Words Essay on Physical Fitness

Physical fitness is about keeping your body in good shape. It means having the energy and strength to do daily activities without getting too tired. Just like a car needs fuel and a good engine to run smoothly, your body needs healthy food and exercise to work well.

Why is Being Fit Important?

Being fit is key to a happy and healthy life. When you are fit, you can play, run, and do your school work better. Your body fights off sickness easier, and you feel good about yourself. It’s not just about how you look; it’s about taking care of your body so that it can take care of you.

Types of Fitness

Fitness is not just one thing. There are different types, like strength, which lets you lift things; endurance, which is the power to keep going without stopping; flexibility, which helps you move your body in different ways; and balance, which keeps you from falling. Doing a mix of activities that help all these areas is the best way to stay fit.

Getting fit can be fun. You can play sports like soccer or basketball, swim, dance, or even just walk or bike around your neighborhood. It’s important to find activities you enjoy so that you will keep doing them. Try to move your body for at least an hour every day. This doesn’t have to be all at once; it can be spread out through the day.

Eating Right

Eating healthy foods helps your fitness too. Imagine your body is like a plant. Plants need water and good soil to grow. Your body needs healthy food and water to grow strong and stay fit. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, grains, and proteins, and drink lots of water. Try to eat less junk food, which is like giving your plant the wrong kind of soil.

Rest and Sleep

Rest is just as important as exercise. Your body needs to sleep and take breaks to rebuild and get ready for the next day. Make sure you get enough sleep each night. This helps your body heal and gives you the energy to be active and fit.

Staying Motivated

Sometimes it’s hard to stay on track with fitness. Setting goals can help. Maybe you want to be able to run a mile without stopping or learn a new sport. Write down your goals and how you plan to reach them. Celebrate when you meet them, and set new ones.

Physical fitness is a big part of a healthy life. It keeps your body strong and gives you the energy to do all the things you love. Remember, being fit isn’t just about how you look. It’s about taking good care of your body by moving around, eating well, resting, and setting goals to keep yourself motivated. Start taking steps towards being fit today, and your body will thank you for years to come.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

  • Essay on Physical Development
  • Essay on Physical Bullying
  • Essay on Physical Activity

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

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Benefits of Physical Activity

Obesity and Excess Weight Increase Risk of Severe Illness; Racial and Ethnic Disparities Persist

Food Assistance and Food Systems Resources

Immediate Benefits

Weight management, reduce your health risk, strengthen your bones and muscles, improve your ability to do daily activities and prevent falls, increase your chances of living longer, manage chronic health conditions & disabilities.

Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Being physically active can improve your brain health , help manage weight , reduce the risk of disease , strengthen bones and muscles , and improve your ability to do everyday activities .

Adults who sit less and do any amount of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity gain some health benefits. Only a few lifestyle choices have as large an impact on your health as physical activity.

Everyone can experience the health benefits of physical activity – age, abilities, ethnicity, shape, or size do not matter.

Some benefits of physical activity on brain health [PDF-14.4MB] happen right after a session of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Benefits include improved thinking or cognition for children 6 to 13 years of age and reduced short-term feelings of anxiety for adults. Regular physical activity can help keep your thinking, learning, and judgment skills sharp as you age. It can also reduce your risk of depression and anxiety and help you sleep better.

Both eating patterns and physical activity routines play a critical role in weight management. You gain weight when you consume more calories through eating and drinking than the amount of calories you burn , including those burned during physical activity.

To maintain your weight:  Work your way up to 150 minutes a week of moderate physical activity, which could include dancing or yard work. You could achieve the goal of 150 minutes a week with 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week.

People vary greatly in how much physical activity they need for weight management. You may need to be more active than others to reach or maintain a healthy weight.

To lose weight and keep it off: You will need a high amount of physical activity unless you also adjust your eating patterns and reduce the amount of calories you’re eating and drinking. Getting to and staying at a healthy weight requires both regular physical activity and healthy eating.

See more information about:

  • Getting started with weight loss .
  • Getting started with physical activity .
  • Improving your eating patterns .

Benefits of Physical Activity

Learn more about the health benefits of physical activity  for children, adults, and adults age 65 and older.

See these tips  on getting started.

The good news [PDF-14.5MB]  is that  moderate physical activity , such as brisk walking, is generally  safe for most people .

Cardiovascular Disease

Heart disease and stroke are two leading causes of death in the United States. Getting at least 150 minutes a week of moderate physical activity can put you at a lower risk for these diseases. You can reduce your risk even further with more physical activity. Regular physical activity can also lower your blood pressure and improve your cholesterol levels.

Type 2 Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome

Regular physical activity can reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes  and metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is some combination of too much fat around the waist, high blood pressure, low high-density lipoproteins (HDL) cholesterol, high triglycerides, or high blood sugar. People start to see benefits at levels from physical activity even without meeting the recommendations for 150 minutes a week of moderate physical activity. Additional amounts of physical activity seem to lower risk even more.

Infectious Diseases

Physical activity may help reduce the risk of serious outcomes from infectious diseases, including COVID-19, the flu, and pneumonia. For example:

  • People who do little or no physical activity are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 than those who are physically active. A CDC systematic review [PDF-931KB] found that physical activity is associated with a decrease in COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths, while inactivity increases that risk.
  • People who are more active may be less likely to die from flu or pneumonia. A CDC study found that adults who meet the aerobic and muscle-strengthening physical activity guidelines are about half as likely to die from flu and pneumonia as adults who meet neither guideline.

Some Cancers

Being physically active lowers your risk for developing several common cancers .  Adults who participate in greater amounts of physical activity have reduced risks of developing cancers of the:

  • Colon (proximal and distal)
  • Endometrium
  • Esophagus (adenocarcinoma)
  • Stomach (cardia and non-cardia adenocarcinoma)

If you are a cancer survivor, getting regular physical activity  not only helps give you a better quality of life, but also improves your physical fitness.

Regular Physical Activity Helps Lower Your Cancer Risk

Learn more about Physical Activity and Cancer

A woman jogging in a park with her dog.

As you age, it’s important to protect your bones, joints, and muscles – they support your body and help you move. Keeping bones, joints, and muscles healthy can help ensure that you’re able to do your daily activities and be physically active.

Muscle-strengthening activities like lifting weights can help you increase or maintain your muscle mass and strength. This is important for older adults who experience reduced muscle mass and muscle strength with aging. Slowly increasing the amount of weight and number of repetitions you do as part of muscle strengthening activities will give you even more benefits, no matter your age.

Everyday activities include climbing stairs, grocery shopping, or playing with your grandchildren. Being unable to do everyday activities is called a functional limitation. Physically active middle-aged or older adults have a lower risk of functional limitations than people who are inactive.

For older adults, doing a variety of physical activity improves physical function and decreases the risk of falls or injury from a fall . Include physical activities such as aerobic, muscle strengthening, and balance training. Multicomponent physical activity can be done at home or in a community setting as part of a structured program.

Hip fracture is a serious health condition that can result from a fall. Breaking a hip have life-changing negative effects, especially if you’re an older adult. Physically active people have a lower risk of hip fracture than inactive people.

See physical activity recommendations for different groups, including:

  • Children age 3-5 .
  • Children and adolescents age 6-17 .
  • Adults age 18-64 .
  • Adults 65 and older .
  • Adults with chronic health conditions and disabilities .
  • Healthy pregnant and postpartum women .

An estimated 110,000 deaths  per year could be prevented if US adults ages 40 and older increased their moderate-to-vigorous physical activity by a small amount. Even 10 minutes more a day would make a difference.

Taking more steps a day also helps lower the risk of premature death from all causes. For adults younger than 60, the risk of premature death leveled off at about 8,000 to 10,000 steps per day. For adults 60 and older, the risk of premature death leveled off at about 6,000 to 8,000 steps per day.

Regular physical activity can help people manage existing chronic conditions and disabilities. For example, regular physical activity can:

  • Reduce pain and improve function, mood, and quality of life for adults with arthritis.
  • Help control blood sugar levels and lower risk of heart disease and nerve damage for people with type 2 diabetes.
  • Health Benefits Associated with Physical Activity for People with Chronic Conditions and Disabilities [PDF-14.4MB]
  • Key Recommendations for Adults with Chronic Conditions and Disabilities [PDF-14.4MB]

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Role of Physical Activity on Mental Health and Well-Being: A Review

Aditya mahindru.

1 Department of Psychiatry, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences, Wardha, IND

Pradeep Patil

Varun agrawal.

In addition to the apparent physical health benefits, physical activity also affects mental health positively. Physically inactive individuals have been reported to have higher rates of morbidity and healthcare expenditures. Commonly, exercise therapy is recommended to combat these challenges and preserve mental wellness. According to empirical investigations, physical activity is positively associated with certain mental health traits. In nonclinical investigations, the most significant effects of physical exercise have been on self-concept and body image. An attempt to review the current understanding of the physiological and psychological mechanisms by which exercise improves mental health is presented in this review article. Regular physical activity improves the functioning of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis. Depression and anxiety appear to be influenced by physical exercise, but to a smaller extent in the population than in clinical patients. Numerous hypotheses attempt to explain the connection between physical fitness and mental wellness. Physical activity was shown to help with sleep and improve various psychiatric disorders. Exercise in general is associated with a better mood and improved quality of life. Physical exercise and yoga may help in the management of cravings for substances, especially in people who may not have access to other forms of therapy. Evidence suggests that increased physical activity can help attenuate some psychotic symptoms and treat medical comorbidities that accompany psychotic disorders. The dearth of literature in the Indian context also indicated that more research was needed to evaluate and implement interventions for physical activity tailored to the Indian context.

Introduction and background

Physical activity has its origins in ancient history. It is thought that the Indus Valley civilization created the foundation of modern yoga in approximately 3000 B.C. during the early Bronze Age [ 1 ]. The beneficial role of physical activity in healthy living and preventing and managing health disorders is well documented in the literature. Physical activity provides various significant health benefits. Mechanical stress and repeated exposure to gravitational forces created by frequent physical exercise increase a variety of characteristics, including physical strength, endurance, bone mineral density, and neuromusculoskeletal fitness, all of which contribute to a functional and independent existence. Exercise, defined as planned, systematic, and repetitive physical activity, enhances athletic performance by improving body composition, fitness, and motor abilities [ 2 ]. The function of physical activity in preventing a wide range of chronic illnesses and premature mortality has been extensively examined and studied. Adequate evidence links medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease and individual lifestyle behaviours, particularly exercise [ 3 ]. Regular exercise lowered the incidence of cardiometabolic illness, breast and colon cancer, and osteoporosis [ 4 ]. In addition to improving the quality of life for those with nonpsychiatric diseases such as peripheral artery occlusive disease and fibromyalgia, regular physical activity may help alleviate the discomforts of these particular diseases [ 5 ]. Exercise also helps with various substance use disorders, such as reducing or quitting smoking. As physical exercise strongly impacts health, worldwide standards prescribe a weekly allowance of "150 minutes" of modest to vigorous physical exercise in clinical and non-clinical populations [ 6 ]. When these recommendations are followed, many chronic diseases can be reduced by 20%-30%. Furthermore, thorough evaluations of global studies have discovered that a small amount of physical exercise is sufficient to provide health benefits [ 7 ].

Methodology

In this review article, a current understanding of the underlying physiological and psychological processes during exercise or physical activity that are implicated in improving mental health is presented. Search terms like "exercise" or "physical activity" and "mental health", "exercise" or "physical activity" and "depression", "exercise" or "physical activity" and "stress", "exercise" or "physical activity" and "anxiety", "exercise" or "physical activity" and "psychosis," "exercise" or "physical activity" and "addiction" were used as search terms in PubMed, Google Scholar, and Medline. An overwhelming majority of references come from works published within the past decade.

The impact of physical health on mental health

There is an increasing amount of evidence documenting the beneficial impacts of physical activity on mental health, with studies examining the effects of both brief bouts of exercise and more extended periods of activity. Systematic evaluations have indicated better outcomes for mental diseases with physical activity. Numerous psychological effects, such as self-esteem, cognitive function, mood, depression, and quality of life, have been studied [ 8 ]. According to general results, exercise enhances mood and self-esteem while decreasing stress tendencies, a factor known to aggravate mental and physical diseases [ 9 ]. Studies show that people who exercise regularly have a better frame of mind. However, it should be highlighted that a consistent link between mood enhancement and exercise in healthy individuals has not been established.

Additionally, human beings produce more of these two neurochemicals when they engage in physical activity. Human bodies manufacture opioids and endocannabinoids that are linked to pleasure, anxiolytic effects, sleepiness, and reduced pain sensitivity [ 10 ]. It has been shown that exercise can improve attention, focus, memory, cognition, language fluency, and decision-making for up to two hours [ 11 ]. Researchers state that regular physical activity improves the functioning of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, lowering cortisol secretion and restoring the balance of leptin and ghrelin (Figure ​ (Figure1) 1 ) [ 12 ].

An external file that holds a picture, illustration, etc.
Object name is cureus-0015-00000033475-i01.jpg

HPA: hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal

This image has been created by the authors.

Regular exercise has immunomodulatory effects such as optimising catecholamine, lowering cortisol levels, and lowering systemic inflammation. Physical activity has been shown to increase plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is thought to reduce amyloid-beta toxicity linked to Alzheimer's disease progression [ 13 ].

Although no causal correlations have been proven, methodologically sound research has discovered a related improvement in mentally and physically ill populations. These findings are based on research and studies conducted all across the globe, particularly in the Western Hemisphere. In order to address a widespread health problem in India, it is useful to do a literature review that draws on research conducted in a variety of settings. In addition, the prevalence of these mental illnesses and the benefits of exercise as a complementary therapy might be made clear by a meta-analysis of research undertaken in India [ 14 ].

This review also analysed published literature from India to understand the effects of exercise on mental health and the implications for disease management and treatment in the Indian context. Results from Indian studies were consistent with those found in global meta-analyses. The Indian government has made public data on interventions, such as the effects of different amounts of physical exercise. Exercising and yoga have been shown to be effective adjunct therapies for a variety of mental health conditions [ 12 ]. Though yoga may not require a lot of effort to perform, other aspects of the program, such as breathing or relaxation exercises, may have an impact on a practitioner's mental health at the same time. Due to its cultural significance as a common physical practice among Indians and its low to moderate activity level, yoga would be an appropriate activity for this assessment [ 15 ].

Yoga as an adjunctive treatment 

Although yoga is a centuries-old Hindu practice, its possible therapeutic effects have recently been studied in the West. Mind-body approaches have been the subject of a lot of studies, and some of the findings suggest they may aid with mental health issues on the neurosis spectrum. As defined by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, "mind-body interventions" aim to increase the mind's potential to alter bodily functions [ 16 ]. Due to its beneficial effects on the mind-body connection, yoga is used as a treatment for a wide range of conditions. Possible therapeutic benefits of yoga include the activation of antagonistic neuromuscular systems, stimulation of the limbic system, and a reduction in sympathetic tone.

Anxiety and depression sufferers might benefit from practising yoga. Yoga is generally safe for most people and seldom causes unintended negative consequences. Adding yoga to traditional treatment for mental health issues may be beneficial. Many of the studies on yoga included meditation as an integral part of their methodology. Meditation and other forms of focused mental practice may set off a physiological reaction known as the relaxation response. Functional imaging has been used to implicate certain regions of the brain that show activity during meditation. According to a wealth of anatomical and neurochemical evidence, meditation has been shown to have far-reaching physiological effects, including changes in attention and autonomic nervous system modulation [ 17 ]. Left anterior brain activity, which is associated with happiness, was shown to rise considerably during meditation. There's also some evidence that meditation might worsen psychosis by elevating dopamine levels [ 18 - 20 ]. We do not yet know enough about the possible downsides of meditation for patients with mental illness, since this research lacks randomised controlled trials.

Physical activity and schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a debilitating mental disorder that often manifests in one's early years of productive life (late second decade). Remission of this disorder occurs in just a small fraction of cases. More than 60% will have relapses, and they might occur with or without noticeable deficits. Apart from delusions, hallucinations, and formal thought disorders, many patients exhibit cognitive deficits that emerge in the early stages of the disease and do not respond adequately to therapy [ 21 ].

Treatment for schizophrenia is challenging to master. Extrapyramidal side effects are a problem with first-generation antipsychotic drugs. Obesity and dyslipidemia have been related to second-generation drugs, which may cause or exacerbate these conditions. The majority of patients do not achieve complete remission, and many do not even experience satisfactory symptom relief. Even though certain antipsychotic medications may alleviate or even exacerbate negative and cognitive symptoms, these responses are far less common. This means that patients may benefit from cognitive rehabilitation. Because of their illness or a negative reaction to their medicine, they may also have depressive symptoms. This would make their condition even more disabling. Many patients also deal with clinical and emotional complications. Tardive extrapyramidal illnesses, metabolic syndromes, defect states, and attempted suicide are all in this category. Patient compliance with treatment plans is often poor. The caregivers take on a lot of stress and often get exhausted as a result.

Evidence suggests that increased physical activity can aid in attenuating some psychotic symptoms and treating medical comorbidities that accompany psychotic disorders, particularly those subject to the metabolic adverse effects of antipsychotics. Physically inactive people with mental disorders have increased morbidity and healthcare costs. Exercise solutions are commonly recommended to counteract these difficulties and maintain mental and physical wellness [ 22 ].

The failure of current medications to effectively treat schizophrenia and the lack of improvement in cognitive or negative symptoms with just medication is an argument in favour of utilising yoga as a complementary therapy for schizophrenia. Even without concomitant medication therapy, co-occurring psychosis and obesity, or metabolic syndrome, are possible. The endocrine and reproductive systems of drug abusers undergo subtle alterations. Numerous studies have shown that yoga may improve endocrine function, leading to improvements in weight management, cognitive performance, and menstrual regularity, among other benefits. In this context, the role of yoga in the treatment of schizophrenia has been conceptualized. However, yoga has only been studied for its potential efficacy as a therapy in a tiny number of studies. There might be several reasons for this. To begin with, many yoga academies frown against the practice being adapted into a medical modality. The second misconception is that people with schizophrenia cannot benefit from the mental and physical aspects of yoga practised in the ways that are recommended. Third, scientists may be hesitant to recommend yoga to these patients because of their lack of knowledge and treatment compliance.

In a randomised controlled experiment with a yoga group (n = 21) and an exercise group (n = 20), the yoga group exhibited a statistically significant reduction in negative symptoms [ 2 ]. In accordance with the most recent recommendations of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the above research provides substantial evidence for the use of yoga in the treatment of schizophrenia. According to a meta-analysis of 17 distinct studies [ 23 ] on the subject, frequent physical activity reduces the negative symptoms associated with schizophrenia considerably.

Physical activity and alcohol dependence syndrome

Substance abuse, namely alcohol abuse, may have devastating effects on a person's mental and physical health. Tolerance and an inability to control drinking are some hallmarks of alcoholism. Research shows that physical activity is an effective supplement in the fight against alcohol use disorder. In addition to perhaps acting centrally on the neurotransmitter systems, physical exercise may mitigate the deleterious health consequences of drinking. Evidence suggests that persons with alcohol use disorder are not physically active and have low cardiorespiratory fitness. A wide number of medical comorbidities, like diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and other cardiovascular illnesses, occur with alcohol use disorders. Physical exercise may be highly useful in aiding the management of these comorbidities [ 24 ].

Physical exercise and yoga may help in the management of cravings for substances when other forms of therapy, such as counselling or medication for craving management are not feasible or acceptable. Physical exercise has been shown to have beneficial effects on mental health, relieve stress, and provide an enjoyable replacement for the substance. However, the patient must take an active role in physical activity-based therapies rather than passively accept the process as it is, which is in stark contrast to the approach used by conventional medicine. Since most substance use patients lack motivation and commitment to change, it is recommended that physical activity-based therapies be supplemented with therapies focusing on motivation to change to maximise therapeutic outcomes.

One hundred seventeen persons with alcohol use disorder participated in a single-arm, exploratory trial that involved a 12-minute fitness test using a cycle ergometer as an intervention. Statistically, significantly fewer cravings were experienced by 40% [ 24 ]. Exercise programmes were found to significantly reduce alcohol intake and binge drinking in people with alcohol use disorder in a meta-analysis and comprehensive review of the effects of such therapies [ 25 ].

Physical activity and sleep

Despite widespread agreement that they should prioritise their health by making time for exercise and sufficient sleep, many individuals fail to do so. Sleep deprivation has negative impacts on immune system function, mood, glucose metabolism, and cognitive ability. Slumber is a glycogenetic process that replenishes glucose storage in neurons, in contrast to the waking state, which is organised for the recurrent breakdown of glycogen. Considering these findings, it seems that sleep has endocrine effects on the brain that are unrelated to the hormonal control of metabolism and waste clearance at the cellular level. Several factors have been proposed as potential triggers for this chain reaction: changes in core body temperature, cytokine concentrations, energy expenditure and metabolic rate, central nervous system fatigue, mood, and anxiety symptoms, heart rate and heart rate variability, growth hormone and brain-derived neurotrophic factor secretion, fitness level, and body composition [ 26 ].

After 12 weeks of fitness training, one study indicated that both the quantity and quality of sleep in adolescents improved. Studies using polysomnography indicated that regular exercise lowered NREM stage N1 (very light sleep) and raised REM sleep (and REM sleep continuity and performance) [ 22 ]. As people age, both short- and long-term activities have increasingly deleterious effects on sleep. In general, both short- and long-term exercise were found to have a favourable effect on sleep quality; however, the degree of this benefit varied substantially among different sleep components. On measures of sleep quality, including total sleep time, slow-wave sleep, sleep onset latency, and REM sleep reduction, acute exercise had no effect. But both moderate and strenuous exercise has been shown to increase sleep quality [ 27 ]. According to a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials, exercise has shown a statistically significant effect on sleep quality in adults with mental illness [ 28 ]. These findings emphasise the importance that exercise plays in improving outcomes for people suffering from mental illnesses.

Physical activity in depressive and anxiety disorders

Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide and is a major contributor to the global burden of disease, as per the World Health Organization. However, only 10%-25% of depressed people actually seek therapy, maybe due to a lack of money, a lack of trained doctors, or the stigma associated with depression [ 29 ]. For those with less severe forms of mental illness, such as depression and anxiety, regular physical exercise may be a crucial part of their treatment and management. Exercise and physical activity might improve depressive symptoms in a way that is comparable to, if not more effective than, traditional antidepressants. However, research connecting exercise to a decreased risk of depression has not been analysed in depth [ 30 ]. Endorphins, like opiates, are opioid polypeptide compounds produced by the hypothalamus-pituitary system in vertebrates in response to extreme physical exertion, emotional arousal, or physical pain. The opioid system may mediate analgesia, social bonding, and depression due to the link between b-endorphins and depressive symptoms (Figure ​ (Figure2 2 ).

An external file that holds a picture, illustration, etc.
Object name is cureus-0015-00000033475-i02.jpg

The "endorphin hypothesis" states that physical activity causes the brain to produce more endogenous opioid peptides, which reduce pain and boost mood. The latter reduces feelings of worry and hopelessness. A recent study that demonstrated endorphins favourably improved mood during exercise, and provided support for these theories suggested that further research into the endorphin theory is required [ 31 ].

Physical activity and exercise have been shown to improve depressive symptoms and overall mood in people of all ages. Exercise has been implicated in lowering depressive and anxious symptoms in children and adolescents as well [ 32 ]. Pooled research worldwide has revealed that physical exercise is more effective than a control group and is a viable remedy for depression [ 33 ]. Most forms of yoga that start with a focus on breathing exercises, self-awareness, and relaxation techniques have a positive effect on depression and well-being [ 34 ]. Despite claims that exercise boosts mood, the optimal kind or amount of exercise required to have this effect remains unclear and seems to depend on a number of factors [ 35 ].

Exercise as a therapy for unipolar depression was studied in a meta-analysis of 23 randomised controlled trials involving 977 subjects. The effect of exercise on depression was small and not statistically significant at follow-up, although it was moderate in the initial setting. When compared to no intervention, the effect size of exercise was large and significant, and when compared to normal care, it was moderate but still noteworthy [ 36 ]. A systematic evaluation of randomised controlled trials evaluating exercise therapies for anxiety disorders indicated that exercise appeared useful as an adjuvant treatment for anxiety disorders but was less effective than antidepressant treatment [ 37 ].

Conclusions

The effects of exercise on mental health have been shown to be beneficial. Among persons with schizophrenia, yoga was shown to have more positive effects with exercise when compared with no intervention. Consistent physical activity may also improve sleep quality significantly. Patients with alcohol dependence syndrome benefit from a combination of medical therapy and regular exercise since it motivates them to battle addiction by decreasing the craving. There is also adequate evidence to suggest that physical exercise improves depressive and anxiety symptoms. Translating the evidence of the benefits of physical exercise on mental health into clinical practice is of paramount importance. Future implications of this include developing a structured exercise therapy and training professionals to deliver it. The dearth of literature in the Indian context also indicates that more research is required to evaluate and implement interventions involving physical activity that is tailored to the Indian context.

The content published in Cureus is the result of clinical experience and/or research by independent individuals or organizations. Cureus is not responsible for the scientific accuracy or reliability of data or conclusions published herein. All content published within Cureus is intended only for educational, research and reference purposes. Additionally, articles published within Cureus should not be deemed a suitable substitute for the advice of a qualified health care professional. Do not disregard or avoid professional medical advice due to content published within Cureus.

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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April 4, 2024

How does exercise affect the health of women and men differently?

Vcu exercise physiologist danielle kirkman outlines differing factors and outcomes – and how our knowledge is evolving., share this story.

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By Sian Wilkerson

When it comes to health, regular physical activity has a huge impact on everything from reducing disease risk to improving one’s ability to do everyday activities. Now, a new study suggests that exercise may benefit women’s longevity more dramatically than men’s.

The  study , published in the  Journal of the American College of Cardiology , compared death records to survey data on leisure-time activity between 1997 and 2017 from more than 400,000 U.S. adults. The study found that compared with men, women required less exercise to get similar longevity benefits.

Current physical activity guidelines are the same for men and women, though increased inclusion of women in clinical trials and the recognition of  sex as a biological variable  in medical research could lead to more targeted guidelines for both men and women, said  Danielle Kirkman , Ph.D., an assistant professor in Virginia Commonwealth University’s  Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences  in the  College of Humanities and Sciences .

Kirkman is a clinical exercise physiologist whose research focuses on identifying physiological mechanisms at the center of cardiovascular and kidney diseases, as well as implementing interventions to prevent or manage cardiovascular disease in populations with impaired kidney function. Much of her research has investigated the health benefits of exercise for patients with chronic and end-stage kidney diseases.

VCU News spoke with Kirkman about the confluence of exercise, health and biology.

First, as a quick reminder, what are the current exercise guidelines?

For health benefits, the federal guidelines recommend 150 to 300 minutes of moderate intensity exercise or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous intensity exercise per week. In addition, muscle-strengthening exercises of at least moderate intensity are recommended on two or more days per week. The most recent guidelines also encourage adults to reduce the amount of time that is spent sitting or being sedentary.

What are some key health or biological factors that influence how exercise may affect women and men differently?

A consensus statement released from the  American College of Sport Medicine in 2023  outlines some primary physiological differences between men and women that influence exercise. These included muscular and anaerobic power, which is typically higher in men partially due to having a greater amount of muscle mass. Men also typically have a higher aerobic exercise capacity due to structural differences, such as having a larger heart and lungs, as well as having higher hemoglobin levels which results in greater oxygen transport and delivery to the muscles during exercise.

Interestingly, women have greater resilience to fatigue, particularly during isometric activities (e.g. a wall sit). In addition, women recover faster from exercise compared with their male counterparts.

What about hormones?

Sex hormones play a large role in how women and men respond and adapt to exercise. Estrogen (estrodial) is an important hormone – it facilitates the antioxidant benefits of exercise, carbohydrate utilization as a fuel during exercise and cardiovascular adaptations to exercise. Estrogen is also important for the prevention of ligament injuries that may occur with exercise. Testosterone is also an important sex hormone in the setting of exercise, having potent anabolic effects on muscle mass, bone mass and hemoglobin levels.

The effects of hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle on exercise training, adaptation and performance has recently garnered a lot of attention. Although hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle may have some physiological effects, the overall influence on exercise performance is minimal. As hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle vary greatly between individuals, some researchers suggest that recommendations encouraging syncing exercise training with the menstrual cycle is overly complex and may pose additional barriers to women looking to participate in exercise for health benefits.

How have science and research recently advanced our understanding of exercise and biology?

The recognition of sex as a biological variable and the inclusion of women in research trials have substantially improved our understanding in sex differences and exercise; however, there is still more work to be done.

Important and interesting research in postmenopausal women has provided critical insight into the importance of estrogen for the beneficial effects of exercise. In this regard, although the recent JAAC article showed that women may reap the same health benefits with less exercise compared with men, research has shown that as women transition into menopause and lose the protective effects of estrogen, the health benefits of exercise may be dampened. Furthermore, clinically low testosterone levels that may accompany aging in men may also blunt exercise adaptations.

Research over the last decade has shown that lifelong exercise appears to be more cardioprotective in older men compared with postmenopausal women. As the population over 60 years of age continues to grow, research in the field is aimed at identifying targeted strategies to support the health adaptations to exercise in older men and women.

What exercise principles would you emphasize to help us understand exercise and the human body?

  I’ll mention three:

  • Lifelong exercise plays a vital role in healthy aging and is key to improving the health span as the population lives longer.
  • With the high prevalence of chronic illnesses in the U.S. such as diabetes, cancer and heart, kidney, liver and lung disease, exercise is now more important than ever for the prevention and management of these detrimental conditions.
  • Being physically active has an array of mental health benefits. This may be particularly relevant for college-age individuals who have experienced an increase in mental health disorders in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Importantly, you can reap the health benefits of exercise with even small doses of exercise. Health benefits have recently been reported with daily step counts of 4,000 to 8,000 (fewer than the 10,000 that we originally thought). If the current physical activity guidelines seem intimidating or out of reach to you, do what you can. Keep moving – something is better than nothing.

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Physical: 100 Remains Gloriously Pointless

essay about physical exercise

When our childhood recesses turned into gym classes and adolescent sports games, we lost the unstructured hang. Gone are the days of pinwheeling around vault bars, duking it out in sandy tetherball pits, and throwing ourselves off swings then counting the seconds of hang time. Some of us turned these movements into competitions, crowning winners based on senseless points systems and ever-changing rules before running into our classrooms; the glory would matter only until lunch when we would dream up new challenges. We could fit a whole quest into 20 minutes of recess as kids.

Don’t you miss that? I don’t mean the literal swings, rickety bridges, and monkey bars, but the joy in inventing inane games that test our physicality. Today the pursuit of fitness can make one feel like a hamster. Move to any metropolitan area and the only steady co-ed fitness options tend to be gym classes , hermetic adult obstacle courses in dilapidating indoor malls, and recreational sports leagues ranging from soccer to … dodgeball. At best they can become humdrum, and at worst, embarrassing.

Isn’t this why we revel in Physical: 100 ? In its second season, the popular Korean competition show welcomes 100 Korean-speaking competitors (one of whom returns from the first season) to compete in a series of new individual and team challenges to test their strength, agility, endurance, strategy, and spirit until there is one champion left standing. The winner leaves with around $280,000, but winning this show does not yield national esteem, a meeting with the nation’s leader, or a parade. There is no advancement in one’s athletic career after participating. Contestants are fueled by community, competition, and, perhaps most of all, a sense of fun in fitness. As a result, Physical: 100 gained its popularity from the contagious delight of watching people enjoy themselves like children competing on a playground.

As a former run-amoker, I now regularly lift weights as my sentient hamster exercise of choice. I love tearing away at my sinewy stabilizer muscles while working at a bench press, and the soreness that becomes a source of pride in my movement. However, there are not many spaces for me to show off what I gain from doing deadlifts and snatches because I am not a conventional athlete. Even after triumph, my personal records are simply just that — personal and contained to the four walls of my LA Fitness. Physical: 100 allows me to imagine a more joyful, less-structured fitness environment where competition and camaraderie serve my personal growth — even if parts of the series’ culture still too closely resemble our own.

Season two’s quests continue to be imaginative, ludic, and delightfully pointless. We have seen a combination maze run-sandbag haul, an elaborate mine set with monkey bars and more sandbags, an elimination round where players painfully hang on to a bulky wooden pole, and a race lugging giant 330 pound rollers. It strikes an impressive balance of dreaming up ridiculous challenges while also taking its competitors seriously. There is none of the slapstick of Wipeout or the obnoxious pyrotechnics of American Ninja Warrior . Physical: 100 means business.

In continuing the idea of fitness as play, Physical: 100 recruited more general fitness enthusiasts — the chosen hamsters! — this season. Alongside the increase in national teams (it’s an Olympic year, after all), the show welcomed unconventional competitors like a porter, a broadcaster, a cosplayer, and an arborist, all of whom arrived without a massive social following. Other competitors included MMA fighter Kim Dong Hyun and quadruple judo champion Lee Won Hee, both of whom have retired from their sports and make a livelihood as a television personality and the head coach of the Korean Women’s Judo National Team, respectively. After reaching a certain age, retired athletes have just as many outlets as generalists do to compete. I can only imagine how exciting Physical: 100 must be for them; they don’t typically have non-competitive spaces to show off after hanging up their hats. Season two makes a meaningful step forward in the show’s commitment to showcasing different types of athleticism and bodies. We’ve since learned that fitness enthusiasts are just as entertaining as professional athletes.

As imaginative as the quests are, however, Physical: 100 hasn’t figured out how to retain fitness enthusiasts past early rounds. New rules in season two allowed for an elimination round where the winner formed a new team from a pool of 24 other contestants who were eliminated after the first team quest. Unfortunately, the recruitment strategy for teams favored conventional strength and physique over skills and strategy, which ultimately resulted in the elimination of women and generalists without well-worn fitness accomplishments. It also allowed for five of the most feared competitors to band together after Greco-Roman wrestler Jung Ji Hyun won and opted to create the human Monstars . This team is easy to hate because the alliance belies the competition, and their combined strength and agility are overshadowed by their faux humility. Yet I wholly understand Hyun’s rationale to rebuild a stronger team out of spite (a very Korean trait) for almost being kicked out of the game so early by less physically muscular teams.

My irritation lies beyond the team’s makeup, though. Just one year ago,  Physical: 100  was a show about the all-encompassing range of our bodies. The first season didn’t always reward displays of brolic feats. Part of its appeal was that men like Kim Min Su (a.k.a. Thanos) may not be as good at pushing a minecart full of 90-pound sandbags as the considerably smaller rugby player Andre Jin was. Ultimately,  Physical: 100  stays true to its twists in rules and breaks up the Monstars by episode eight, when each team has to compete among their own teammates to secure a spot in the final four, but it’s already too late for many of the more exciting and less-conventional competitors who are gone much too soon.

I must be frank here: Physical: 100 has a sexism problem. Despite the admirable and jaw-dropping, chest-tightening, life-reevaluating-ly hot male contestants, season two would be a wash without players like Lee, who was the only team leader with some sense of wisdom and class in the game. He chose a woman first to be on his team, let alone a judoka that he currently coaches. It shouldn’t be heartwarming, but it is because the other male team leaders are not looking to build a well-balanced team in the Physical: 100 world. They don’t start to pick women until they “have” to. It’s an attitude that shortchanges viewers, but also the teams themselves since many of the women are incredible competitors. Take Lim Soo Jin, a well-decorated professional bodybuilder who hoisted nearly a ton’s worth of sandbags into her minecart through a series of intense cleans, then pushed it across a track with such grace that it wowed her male rivals. So far, the answer from Physical: 100 ’s producers seems to have been to say “Oh, well!” and then move on from profiling the female contestants after putting the majority of the women’s one-on-one matches in a sped-up compilation. These are the times when I feel pretty bummed about this season. I already come in jealous of these contestants and sad that play is noticeably absent from our discourse around fitness, but I see how even seemingly progressive fitness competitions can fail bodies that look like mine.

Thankfully, this season’s small triumphs are far more resonant than its fumbles. A year from now, I won’t remember how Jung’s strategically formed team tried to steamroll the competition (I will definitely get into kabaddi, though), but I will remember how female MMA fighter Shim Yu Ri challenged and defeated U.S. federal agent Hunter Lee in a cage match. Or how Kpop idol Lee Jang Jun — immediately dismissed by others as a pretty face — exhausted fan favorite Hong Beom Seok in the agility gym. Or how high school wrestler Jang Jun Hyuk went head-to-head with Jung, who won gold in the 2004 Olympics before Jang was even born. These matchups don’t happen outside of their own cages, gyms, and dojangs. As athletes and conventionally fit contestants discover their own limits in a new arena, we are equal witnesses to the thrilling range and depth to our bodies.

So despite it all, I’m still inspired. Here I am grittily hoisting groceries from the trunk of a car to the house in one go, or pushing furniture across apartment building hallways to avoid extra labor charges from the moving van, increasingly becoming hyper aware of how all my Sisyphean movements could make for exciting games, too. In the end, Physical: 100 ’s contestants seem most fulfilled completing challenges together when they would otherwise be spinning their hamster wheels in their respective individual sports and professions. It addresses a need in our fitness community for gathering grounds without the cultishness that comes from loving a singular sport or exercise. We love to be challenged and love plot twists even more. We embrace questions like, “Can the moving van guy do more pull-ups than me?” and then actually having the space to see. These are inquiries of imagination that take the movements that we already do in real life and put them in the context of play.

Just like how much we need “third spaces” for teens and young adults to hang outside of the house, I want fitness culture to find more spaces for low-stakes, unstructured movement, where people of all bodies are welcome to stretch, sprint through, or throw someone else around. Let’s repurpose parks and public spaces to install quests that are open to the public. Let’s put a Cybertruck in the middle of a parking lot and challenge people to put the largest dent in it. From there, let’s allow new rules to unfold, and let the winner go home and say that they were celebrated for accomplishing something dumb and pointless but giving everyone a good show. I’d rather do that than join a “just moved to L.A.!!” group cloaked as an intramural sports league.

Oh, God … did I just make a tiny case for CrossFit? Congratulations to Amotti, I GUESS.

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ScienceDaily

Exercise habits in youth create better health outcomes for some

Forming a long-term recreational exercise habit as a young person has a beneficial impact on physical and mental health later in life, but some groups, such as females and academic high-achievers, miss out on these benefits disproportionately.

A University of Adelaide study found females, people with low self-efficacy, reluctant exercisers, higher academic achievers, and those experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage are all most at risk of failing to establish regular exercise patterns during the transition from adolescence to young adulthood.

The finding was made by examining data collected as part of the Longitudinal Survey of Australian Youth (LSAY), which also showed young Australians on average exercise less regularly every year after transitioning from high school to university and work.

"It is well known that sustained regular exercise in young people improves fitness, physical health, self-esteem, reduces distress and sets up long-term patterns that reduce disease risk in adulthood," said Associate Professor Oliver Schubert from the University of Adelaide's Adelaide Medical School and the Northern Adelaide Local Health Network.

"There seems to be a critical period in people's teens, around the age of 15, to establish these behaviours."

While women's sport is increasing in prominence, the researchers say multiple factors contribute to the gender disparity.

"The disadvantage experienced by females is influenced by reduced opportunity, lower access, and lack of sports diversity, but also divergent parental and cultural expectations, stereotypes, and role models," says Dr Julie Morgan, Clinical Associate Lecturer at the University of Adelaide's Discipline of Psychiatry and lead author of the study.

"Psychological factors, such as perceived sports competency and self-efficacy, may play an additional role. Our study highlights that more needs to be done to promote long-term regular of exercise to female adolescents."

Females were not the only at-risk group that came as a surprise to the researchers.

"The risk for academic high achievers was unexpected and highlights the need to promote a balance between study and self-care to this group," said Associate Professor Scott Clark, Head of the University of Adelaide's Discipline of Psychiatry.

Prior research has shown similar findings regarding the benefits of forming exercise habits, but the LSAY data provides a clearer understanding than previously possible.

"The large size and high follow-up rate of LSAY, which follows Australian youth as they transition from school to study or work, makes it an extremely valuable resource for analysing the impact of changes in society and policy that can influence educational, occupational and physical- and mental-health outcomes," says Jana Bednarz, a senior statistician from the University of Adelaide who conducted the longitudinal modelling analyses.

"Our trajectory-based analysis of repeated measurements provides more robust data than previous cross-sectional studies, where data are collected only once, and therefore provides good evidence for youth exercise policy development in Australia."

The researchers say outreach is required at an early stage to encourage the at-risk groups they've identified to develop long-term exercise habits.

"Given the predictors of these patterns are identifiable at age 15, there is a key role for secondary school, especially in the last years, when academic achievements become more central for young people," said Associate Professor Schubert.

"Equally, universities and vocational training institutions could run programs to support and encourage physical activity and sport.

"State governments and local councils need to ask whether the current leisure infrastructure supports the needs of young people. Funding and support for grass-roots community sport across gender and socioeconomic groups is critical."

  • Chronic Illness
  • Teen Health
  • Healthy Aging
  • Child Psychology
  • K-12 Education
  • Child Development
  • Gender Difference
  • Developmental disability
  • Anaerobic exercise
  • Health benefits of tea
  • Aerobic exercise
  • Hyperactivity
  • Physical exercise

Story Source:

Materials provided by University of Adelaide . Original written by Johnny von Einem. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

Journal Reference :

  • Julie Ayliffe Morgan, Jana Maria Bednarz, Ronnie Semo, Scott Richard Clark, Klaus Oliver Schubert. Long-term recreational exercise patterns in adolescents and young adults: Trajectory predictors and associations with health, mental-health, and educational outcomes . PLOS ONE , 2024; 19 (3): e0284660 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0284660

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