Exercising regularly is important to maintain good health. According to the World Health Organization, it has been shown that physical activity contributes to the prevention and regulation of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and some types of cancer.
Along these same lines, physical activity is a key tool for losing weight. “Exercise can help prevent excessive weight gain or help maintain weight loss. When you do physical activity, you burn calories. The more intense the activity, the more calories you will burn. Indicates Mayo Clinic, a nonprofit entity dedicated to clinical practice, education and research.
To exercise it is not mandatory to go to a sports center or gym or have special machines. Walking, running or practicing a sport are some of the alternatives to exercise. “The WHO defines physical activity as any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles, with the consequent energy consumption. Physical activity refers to all movement, including during leisure time, to get to and from certain places, or as part of a person’s work. Physical activity, both moderate and intense, improves health”, explains the World Health Organization.
The website The universe explains that dancing is a healthy form of exercise, which can help burn calories more than running. “Indeed, dancing, in any of its forms, is an excellent way to burn calories and improve the health of your heart, especially if you have reached menopause “indicates the web portal.
On the other hand, according to Medline Plus, the website of the United States National Library of Medicine, dancing has multiple health benefits for people, both for physical and mental health. Some of these include:
- Better health.
- Stronger muscles.
- Better balance and coordination.
- Lower risk of dementia.
- Lower risk of dementia
- Better memory.
- Less stress.
- More energy.
- Better mood.
The calories that are burned when dancing depends on the type of dance that is practiced and the time that it is performed. There are different types of musical genres such as salsa, merengue, tango, ballet, etc. According to Medline Plus, Ballroom dancing can burn around 260 calories in an hour, which can be the equivalent of walking.
“More intense types of dance, like salsa or aerobic dancing, will give you a more vigorous workout that’s akin to jogging or swimming. You can burn up to 500 calories in an hour with these types of dance”, indicates the Library.
Benefits of physical activity
The World Health Organization stresses the importance of exercising regularly to maintain good health. Some of the benefits of physical activity include:
- 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.
Beware of excessive exercise!
Rest is one of the fundamental elements to maintain good health. Therefore, it is vital to sleep at least 7 or 8 hours a night. Also, have a balanced diet and healthy habits. Medline Plus mentions some recommendations to avoid overtraining
- Maintain a balanced diet. Enough calories should be consumed to balance them with those burned during exercise.
- Stay hydrated at all times, especially when doing physical activity.
- Exercise in extreme hot or cold conditions is not recommended.
- Take one day off a week, without doing physical activity.