15 Diseases That Can Be Prevented By Practicing Physical Exercise
Physical exercise is one of the healthiest habits that human beings can do , and there are many studies that confirm this. And practicing sports provides many benefits for general health: improves mood, reduces stress, improves sleep quality…
If you are one of those people who like to exercise regularly and you usually exercise daily, you should know that, in addition, you are doing your body a great favor, since this practice helps prevent diseases. On the other hand, if you don’t really like wearing a tracksuit, your health may suffer the negative consequences of your sedentary lifestyle.
Diseases that can be prevented by practicing physical exercise
But, What types of diseases can we prevent with regular exercise?
Below you can find a list of the 16 diseases that you can get rid of if you have an active lifestyle.
1. High blood pressure
There is a lot of research that has been carried out to try to find out what the benefits of aerobic training are. Run, Swimming or cycling have been shown to be very effective in controlling blood pressure Furthermore, if we combine this type of exercise with a healthy diet, our body will thank us.
2. Heart diseases
Another benefit that is usually associated with aerobic training is that this training system prevents heart disease (such as myocardial infarction, arrhythmias, etc.) and heart problems, in addition to the aforementioned hypertension. Moderate aerobic training is enough to improve our state of health.
Overweight and obesity have become a serious public health problem in recent years. Sedentary lifestyle and poor diet of a large part of the population of industrialized societies are some of the causative factors.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are 1.9 billion adults in the world who are overweight, of which more than 600 million suffer from obesity. Planned training can be key to reducing this disease. Of course, always accompanied by a healthy diet.
4. Type II diabetes
Diabetes is a disease with a high prevalence worldwide, and is characterized by a series of metabolic alterations that increase the level of glucose in the blood (hyperglycemia). Recent research shows that physical exercise reduces the risk of suffering from it by 42%. Among other benefits, exercise training improves the body’s ability to use insulin.
5. Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a bone disease that causes a decrease in bone mass density. And physical exercise is key to having a strong skeleton. Strength training improves bone density and prevents bone deterioration. Not only that, but reduces fractures by 17%
6. Stress
Stress, along with obesity, is also one of the epidemics of the last century , which often has its origin in the lifestyle of Western societies. According to science, physical exercise can be effective not only in preventing it but also in reducing it, as it reduces the levels of one of the hormones related to this condition: cortisol.
7. High cholesterol
High cholesterol is associated with multiple diseases. Studies show that both cardiovascular exercise and strength training are beneficial in reducing it. Both a healthy diet and physical exercise reduce bad cholesterol and increase levels of good cholesterol or HDL.
Eye diseases can also be prevented with physical training According to a study carried out by the Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual ScienceFrequent running can reduce the risk of macular degeneration by 19%.
9. Arthritis
Moderate resistance training that focuses on a full range of motion is effective in preventing and reducing arthritis by helping to strengthen the muscles surrounding the joints.
10. Alzheimer’s
One of the psychological benefits of exercising is that it improves memory and helps prevent Alzheimer’s. Practicing physical activity between the ages of 25 and 45 increases brain chemicals that prevent the degeneration of hippocampal neurons.
11. Depression
Depression is a mental illness that can be serious and may require psychological treatment. But there are different types of depression, some of them less severe. Physical exercise can be effective in reducing less pronounced depression, as it helps release chemicals in the brain that are related to mood (for example, serotonin or endorphins). Additionally, it improves self-esteem.
12. Fibromyalgia
Physical exercise helps prevent fibromyalgia from worsening and works very well for pain management. Especially those moderate resistance workouts like Tai Chi or Pilates.
13. Cancer
Cancer is a serious disease that can be prevented if you follow a series of healthy habits, including physical exercise. According to an investigation by the Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercisewomen who practice moderate physical exercise for two and a half hours a week are less likely to suffer from breast cancer.
14. Anxiety
Anxiety is another psychological disorder that can be prevented with physical training. It also reduces symptoms in less severe cases, because neurotransmitters released during and after exercise can help people with anxiety calm down.
Physical exercise has also been shown to be very effective in strengthening the immune system which helps you suffer fewer colds and even fewer flu processes.
