Physical Exercise

Physical exercise is any bodily activity that enhances or maintains physical fitness and overall health and wellness. It is performed for various reasons. These include strengthening muscles and the cardiovascular system, honing athletic skills, weight loss or maintenance and for enjoyment. Frequent and regular physical exercise boosts the immune system, and helps prevent the “diseases of affluence” such as heart disease, cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes and obesity. It also improves mental health, helps prevent depression, helps to promote or maintain positive self-esteem

Types of exercise

Physical exercises are generally grouped into three types,depending on the overall effect they have on the human body:

  • Flexibility exercises, such as stretching, improve the range of motion of muscles and joints.
  •  Aerobic exercises, such as cycling, swimming, walking, skipping rope, rowing, running, hiking or playing tennis, focus on increasing cardiovascular endurance.
  •  Anaerobic exercises, such as weight training, functional training, eccentric training or sprinting, increase short-term muscle strength.
  • Strength training
  • Agility training
  • Eccentric Training

Categories of physical exercise

Sometimes the terms ‘dynamic’ and ‘static’ are used. ‘Dynamic’ exercises such as steady running, tend to produce a lowering of the diastolic blood pressure during exercise, due to the improved blood flow. Conversely, static exercise (such as weight-lifting) can cause the systolic pressure to rise significantly (during the exercise).

May 10, 2011 · administrator · No Comments
Posted in: Exercise, Health and Fitness

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