Physical exercise is a key factor in maintaining a good state of health; at the same time that it helps to manage some diseases such as diabetes and high cholesterol.
“Regular physical activity has been shown to help prevent and control noncommunicable diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and various types of cancer. It also helps prevent hypertension, maintain a healthy body weight, and can improve mental health, quality of life, and well-being.”explains the World Health Organization.
Exercising regularly has multiple health benefits. These include the following:
- Reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety.
- Improves the general well-being of the organism.
- Helps prevent non-communicable diseases.
- It guarantees the good growth and development of young people.
- Reduces the risk of falls, fractures and injuries.
- Helps maintain a healthy weight.
Along the same lines, it should also be noted that exercise has positive effects on memory. According to studies, regular physical activity is beneficial for brain health. This is how he explains it Mayo Clinica non-profit entity dedicated to clinical practice, education and research.
Although the practice of exercise has many benefits, one of the great doubts of many people is how much time of physical activity is necessary to live healthy. This concern was resolved by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and stated that, with “300 minutes a week of moderate activity (60 minutes a day for 5 days a week), or 150 minutes a week of vigorous activity (30 minutes a day for 5 days a week), or an equivalent combination, you will still get more benefits for your health.
The biggest myths regarding the practice of physical exercise
Andrés Hernández, Colsanitas sports doctor, explains and clarifies some of the myths associated with physical activity.
- Sweating indicates that the exercise is effective. False. Sweating is the most effective way for the body to show that it is generating heat, in addition to regulating body temperature and cleaning impurities. “It does not mean that the exercise is effective, but that it is the way in which the organism dissipates the heat that is produced by the exercise”, affirms Hernández.
- Dynamic stretches are better than static ones for warming up. It depends. In most cases, dynamic stretching is recommended to activate and stimulate muscles, increase blood flow throughout the body, and prevent injury.
- Cardiovascular exercises are enough to burn fat. False. Cardio is beneficial for burning calories and creating a deficit. However, to lower the percentage of fat in the body, you must consume fewer calories than you expend, maintain a balanced diet, and perform cardio and strength exercises.
- Fat can be reduced in specific areas. False. When there is a caloric deficit, the body resorts to the energy sources that it has stored in general, it does not do so specifically, even if more work is done in some area of the body. “Of course, the body will get more energy from where there is a greater amount accumulated”says Dr. Hernández.
- Exercising with thermal belts helps to lose weight. False. The girdles fulfill the function of dehydrating, increasing the temperature of the area and generating sweating. According to the specialist, “what really happens is that the fat is being distorted inside the fat cell, that is, it is simply being crushed.”
