Different Theories on how it works
Numerous studies have shown that moderate levels of physical activity maintained over time greatly reduces the risk of developing many chronic health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity and some types of cancers. Despite the overwhelming epidemiological and biochemical evidence of the health benefits of exercise, the underlying mechanisms of how physical activity confers these beneficial effects are not well understood.

Physical activity contributes to health in three possibly ways.
1) Exercise training has been shown to protect against heart disease and hypertension by increasing vasodilatation and the structural diameter of blood vessels and having an antiatherogenic effect.
2) Exercises reverses insulin resistance
3) Exercise reduces blood triglyceride levels after a meal

Conditions it works best for
Physical activity decreases the risk of many chronic disorders. Scientific studies have solidly demonstrated that maintaining moderate levels of physical activity greatly reduces the incidence of chronic health conditions including type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, cardiovascular disease and many types of cancers such as colon cancer.

Exercise can improve physical and mental health in many ways.
• Prevention and/or reversal of the effects of chronic health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke
• Prevention of osteoporosis
• Improvement of strength and balance
• Prevention and alleviation of depression, insomnia, stress and anxiety
• Decreased pain and disability from osteoarthritis
• Improved symptoms of pre-menopause and menopause
• Weight control – exercise increases the body’s metabolic rate for 30 minutes post exercise. Weight training leads to increased calorie burning for up to two hours after the workout is over.

Content last modified on Sep 18, 2003