Exercise Physiology
Exercise physiology is the study of how exercise affects all our organs and systems--heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin--immune system, renal system, cardiovascular system. etc-- from the tip of our toes to the hair on our head, exercise affects our bodies and minds like medicine. The issue is that this "pill" takes time to swallow.
Just like medicine, exercise has a dose response. The "dose of exercise" considers frequency- how many days per week, intensity-how hard or light, time- how long, and type- what kind of exercise.
The possibilities are endless, exercise is not a one size fits all concept.
So, an "exercise prescription" is suggested to folks for one chronic condition. But, most of us have a combination of health issues--not just one. As a result, it is very important to consider your entire body and mind. For example, someone who has had a heart attack, and is diabetic and has osteoarthritis should not have the same exercise prescription as someone who has had a heart attack, and high blood pressure, and is overwhelmed from stress. Individuals who suffer from anxiety and have high blood pressure would require still a different "prescription". So regardless of how many or how severe your health issues may be, physical activity positively impacts those concerns. The key is knowing how to put it all together to insure that the activity program is safe, effective, and doable!
There is no pill on the market that can give you all these benefits for your health and well-being like exercise! Listed below are just a few of the positive health benefits of regular exercise (1,2 3).
Benefits
- Decreased blood pressure
- Decreased body weight
- Decreased LDL (the "bad" cholesterol)
- Increased HDL (the"good" cholesterol)
- Decreased trigylcerides
- Increased insulin sensitivity
- Decreased blood sugar
- Reduced susceptibility to arrthymia (Irregular heart beats)
- Increased size of coronary arteries
- Increased aerobic capacity
- Enhancement of coronary collateral circulation ("collateral arteries")
- Decreased anginal symptoms
- Increased energy
- Improved sleep patterns
- Improved mood and stress coping
- Improved functional fitness
- Decreased shortness of breath
- Increased muscle strength
- Improved flexibility and range of joint motion
- Improved balance
- Improved bone density
- Improved memory
- Improved immune system function
HeartChange will show you how to receive the most benefits from physical activity and regular exercise. We start at the beginning....no rigorous routines or unsafe demands..we insure that the program is safe, effective, and doable for you!!
