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Ajay Patel
Mrs. DeBock
English 4 Honors
12 November, 2015
How does Exercise Benefit People
Exercise can benefit people by preventing or curing life threatening diseases. Exercise
helps prevent and improve a number of health problems, including high blood pressure, diabetes
and arthritis. Research on anxiety, depression and exercise shows that the psychological and
physical benefits of exercise can also help reduce anxiety and improve mood. Exercise can help
prevent excess weight gain or help maintain weight loss. In addition to the benefits of physical
activity on improving health and reducing risk factors for chronic disease, it has been shown to
be effective in improving mental health.
Exercise can help prevent excess weight gain or help maintain weight loss. When
someone engages in physical activity, they burn calories. The more intense the activity, the more
calories someone burns. People do not need to set aside large chunks of time for exercise to reap
weight-loss benefits. If someone cannot do an actual workout, get more active throughout the
day in simple ways. One excellent, widely available option is walking. Its low-impact nature
means it is gentle on joints, and it can be done anywhere. Walk around in someones
neighborhood, at the local mall, while on vacation, during someones lunch break, and while
waiting for someones plane to board at the airport. Walking can raise high-density lipoprotein
cholesterol (the "good" kind) and lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (the "bad" kind). It

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can reduce blood pressure and lower the risk for type two diabetes as well as act as a natural
mood elevator (Golubovic). In addition to cardiovascular exercise to burn calories, strength
training can have weight-loss benefits. By increasing a persons muscle mass, they can increase
calorie-burning metabolism. This means that by replacing fat with muscle, a persons body will
burn more calories at rest. Regular physical activity can reduce someones risk of developing
type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a condition in which someone
has some combination of too much fat around the waist, high blood pressure, low HDL
cholesterol, high triglycerides, or high blood sugar. Research shows that lower rates of these
conditions are seen with 120 to 150 minutes (2 hours to 2 hours and 30 minutes) a week of at
least moderate intensity aerobic activity (Gho).
Research shows that doing aerobics, muscle-strengthening and bone-strengthening
physical activity of at least a moderately-intense level can slow the loss of bone density that
comes with age (Szabo). Hip fracture is a serious health condition that can have life-changing
negative effects, especially if someone an older adult. But research shows that people who do
120 to 300 minutes of at least moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week have a lower risk of
hip fracture. Regular physical activity helps with arthritis and other conditions affecting the
joints. If someone has arthritis, research shows that doing 130 to 150 (2 hours and 10 minutes to
2 hours and 30 minutes) a week of moderate-intensity, low-impact aerobic activity can not only
improve a persons ability to manage pain and do everyday tasks (World Health Organization)
In addition to the benefits of physical activity on improving health and reducing risk
factors for chronic disease, it has been shown to be effective in improving mental health, which
is also a major cause of disability worldwide. Estimates made by the World Health Organization
are that 154 million people globally suffer from depression, and mental illnesses affect and are

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affected by chronic conditions such as cancer, heart and other cardiovascular diseases, diabetes
and HIV/AIDS. The evidence on the mental health benefits of physical activity is less well
documented than for the physical effects as the editors of the journal Mental Health and Physical
Activity put it, in the journals inaugural editorial: So many research questions come to mind in
this field that have barely been considered. However, the body of evidence is growing fast, with
many studies and clinical trials having shown specific benefits including: improved mood,
reducing symptoms of stress, anger and depression, alleviating anxiety and slowing cognitive
decline (Home Exercise Can Strengthen The Heart, Lift The Spirit: The Benefits Of More
Physical Activity Extend Well Beyond Improved Cardiovascular Conditioning And Stronger
Muscles).
Much research has focused on adults, but there is evidence that among adolescents
increased leisure-time physical activity (i.e. outside structured school programs) is significantly
associated with fewer depressive symptoms over a two-year period. Some studies also show that
physical activity accelerates learning by increasing cognitive processes. Another benefit of
children exercising is an increase in lung capacity. Regular exercise helps prevent the decline in
oxygen intake that occurs naturally with age or as a result of inactivity. Another reason is as
muscles grow stronger when physically stressed, bones also respond by getting stronger.
Exercise increases bone density, which helps prevent osteoporosis, a condition in which bones
lose density, weaken, and become porous and fragile (Szabo). The World Alzheimer Report 2009
estimated that there are 35.6 million people living with dementia worldwide, with this figure set
to increase to 65.7 million people by 2030 and 115.4 million by 2050. There is also some
evidence that physical activity may help to slow the progression of Alzheimers and reduce its
risk through a number of mechanisms such as promoting vascular health by lowering blood

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pressure and reducing other risk factors that lead to the disease. Research so far in this area is
showing promising results, but further studies need to be done to show promising results.
Another disease that exercise can help cure is Parkinsons. Epidemiological studies suggest that
exercise reduces the risk of Parkinsons disease, and regular physical activity is shown to
improve the quality of life in Parkinsons disease patients and reduce their neurological
symptoms (Barfield).
Lack of exercise is a major risk factor for secondary conditions among persons dependent
upon motorized wheelchairs. Power wheelchair soccer is a unique exercise opportunity for this
population, and understanding factors that influence exercise decision-making is necessary for
clinicians to help those in motorized chairs reduce their secondary risk. Therefore, this study
examined differences in perceived benefits and barriers to exercise among power wheelchair
soccer players using a mixed-methods analysis. Persons with physical disabilities are less active
than the general population and therefore less likely to gain associated health benefits.
Fortunately, wheelchair sport can provide meaningful exercise opportunities. This option is a
growing component of rehabilitation and post rehabilitation services for persons with physical
disabilities and chronic conditions (Barfield).
A study was conducted that compared a sample of children who were assessed as
hyperactive with the same number of children rated as non-hyperactive. The findings indicated
that while overall fitness levels of both groups improved, the differences were not statistically
significant. However, improvements shown within the group of hyperactive children with regard
to coordination of the whole body, trunk strength and agility were statistically significant.
Physical activity may be associated with enhanced levels of some aspects of physical fitness.

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This article helps support my thesis because it shows that kids who have a hard time focusing
can improve that by exercising (Golubovic).
Researchers found that at-home exercises can help people with coronary heart disease
feel more hopeful about their future. This is especially important, as hopelessness is associated
with worsening heart disease and death. The study was presented at the American Heart
Associations Scientific Sessions. The benefits of exercise include the natural boost in feelgood chemicals in the brain, increased energy and fitness, and a sense of accomplishment.
These mood-enhancing benefits can be especially important for heart patients, who are more
prone to depression and anxiety following a diagnosis of heart disease or a procedure such as
stenting or bypass surgery. In the study, patients who walked or biked at least three days a week
reduced their hopelessness scores (as measured by questionnaires created by the researchers) by
an average of 12 percent. This article helps support my thesis because it shows that people with
illnesses or disabilities can increase their self-confidence through exercise (Szabo).
Exercise can benefit people by preventing or curing life threatening diseases. Exercise
helps prevent and improve a number of health problems, including high blood pressure, diabetes
and arthritis. Research on anxiety, depression and exercise shows that the psychological and
physical benefits of exercise can also help reduce anxiety and improve mood.

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Works Cited

Barfield, J. P., and Laurie A. Malone. "Perceived Exercise Benefits And Barriers Among Power
Wheelchair Soccer Players." Journal Of Rehabilitation Research & Development 50.2
(2013): 231. Advanced Placement Source. Web. 29 Oct. 2015.
Gho, Sheridan A., et al. "Perceived Exercise Barriers Explain Exercise Participation In
Australian Women Treated For Breast Cancer Better Than Perceived Exercise Benefits.
Physical Therapy 94.12 (2014): 1765. Advanced Placement Source. Web. 29 Oct. 2015.
Golubovic, A ., D. Milutinovic, and B. Golubovic. "Benefits Of Physical Exercises In
Developing Certain Fitness Levels In Children With Hyperactivity." Journal Of
Psychiatric And Mental Health Nursing 7 (2014): 594. Academic OneFile. Web. 29 Oct.
2015.
"Home Exercise Can Strengthen The Heart, Lift The Spirit: The Benefits Of More Physical
Activity Extend Well Beyond Improved Cardiovascular Conditioning And Stronger
Muscles." Heart Advisor 4 (2015): 10. Academic OneFile. Web. 29 Oct. 2015.
Szabo, Attila. "Acute Psychological Benefits Of Exercise: Reconsideration Of The Placebo
Effect." Journal Of Mental Health 22.5 (2013): 449-455. Psychology and Behavioral
Sciences Collection. Web. 29 Oct. 2015.

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World Health, Cherie, et al. "Indications, Benefits, and Risks Of Pilates Exercise For People
With Chronic Low Back Pain: A Delphi Survey Of Pilates-Trained Physical Therapists."
Physical Therapy 94.6 (2014): Advanced Placement Source. Web. 29 Oct. 2015.