A single session of moderate to vigorous physical activity provides immediate benefits for your health. In addition, regular physical activity helps prevent many chronic diseases.
Benefits
Immediate
- Sleep: improves sleep quality.
- Less Anxiety: reduces feelings of anxiety.
- Blood Pressure: reduces blood pressure.
Long-term
- Brain Health: reduces risks of developing dementia (including Alzheimer’s disease) and reduces risk of depression.
- Heart Health: lowers risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
- Cancer Prevention: lowers risk of 8 cancers (bladder, breast, colon, endometrium, esophagus, kidney, lung, and stomach).
- Healthy Weight: reduces risk of weight gain.
- Independent Living: helps people live independently longer.
- Bone Strength: improves bone health.
- Balance and Coordination: reduces risks of falls.
Emerging research suggests physical activity may also help boost immune function12.
Source: Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition.
Content Source:
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP)
- Nieman D, Wentz L. The compelling link between physical activity and the body’s defense system. J Sport Health Sci. 2019 May;8(3): 201-17.
- Jones A, Davison G . Exercise, immunity, and illness. Muscle and Exercise Physiology. 2019;317-44.
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