Why we need to get fit for more than just summer
Today Longevity Exercise Physiology Drummoyne, Edgecliff, Marrickville, Bella Vista, Randwick, Pymble and Balmain, and Neutral Bay discuss the importance of cardiovascular exercise and resistance training for good health and to reduce the risk of all-cause mortality.
It is easy to get distracted by the perceived need to “Get fit in time for summer”. The weather is warmer, and everyone is outside enjoying the sunshine and people may feel that they aren’t able to hide behind the many layers of clothes that winter entails.
What people commonly miss is the fact that even though they may be focused on getting fit in time for summer, they are engaging in many more benefits for good health than they may realise and decreasing their risk of all cause mortality.
Research shows that inadequate physical activity has been estimated to be responsible for 6-10% of the global burden of major chronic non-communicable diseases and 9% of preventable deaths.
Research shows that inadequate physical activity has been estimated to be responsible for 6-10% of the global burden of major chronic non-communicable diseases and 9% of preventable deaths. Numerous observational studies have shown that exercise has a statistically significant preventative effect on all-cause mortality and that the risk of mortality progressively lowers as physical activity increases.
Cardiovascular or aerobic exercise refers to exercise that increases your breathing or heart rate for a sustained period. This includes running, brisk walking, swimming, or cycling. It plays a role in the management and prevention of medical conditions including:
- Coronary artery disease
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Depression
Benefits of regular aerobic exercise includes:
- Decreased blood pressure
- Decrease in HDL (good) and LDL (bad) cholesterol in the bloodstream
- Increased breathing efficiency & oxygen utilisation in the muscles
- Improvement in the body’s ability to use glucose in the bloodstream
- Decreased heart rate as the heart becomes more efficient at pumping blood around the body
Resistance training refers to increasing muscle strength through the muscles working against a weight or external force. For example, using equipment including dumbbells, weight machines, resistance bands or cable machines. This type of training is beneficial in preventing or managing conditions such as:
- Arthritis
- Lower Back Pain
- Depression
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Coronary Heart Disease
Benefits of Resistance Training include:
- Weight management
- Improved muscle strength
- Increased bone density and strength
- Reduced risk of osteoporosis
- Improved insulin sensitivity
- Decreased blood pressure
- Increase metabolic rate
So whether or not you may be exercising specifically to “Get fit for summer”, next time you are exercising, remember that you are giving your body more benefits to your health than you realise and that you are taking proactive steps to decrease your risk of all-cause mortality.
If you need someone to keep you on track with your exercise program, contact Longevity Personal Training and Exercise Physiology on 1300 964 002 to enquire today.
Written by Ellen Spencer
References
Department of Health, S. G. (2018, Aug 26). Resistance training – health benefits. Retrieved from Better Health channel.
Exercise Right. (n.d.). Why Aerobic Fitness is the Best Predictor of Health. Retrieved from Exercise Right: https://exerciseright.com.au/aerobic-fitness-best-predictor-of-health/
Shephard, R. J., & Balady, G. J. (1999). Exercise as Cardiovascular Therapy. Circulation, 963-972.
Zhao, M., Veeranki, S. P., Magnussen, C. G., & Xi, B. (2020). Recommended physical activity and all cause and cause specific mortality in US adults: prospective cohort study. BMJ.