Writer: Joanna Xu
Editors: Misha Wichita, Sophia Chen
Artists: Kevin Lin
“An apple a day keeps the doctor away” is a common saying, but whether or not it’s true remains debatable. Exercise, on the other hand, is an almost guaranteed remedy for long-term health problems. Yet, it is questioned why gym class is mandated for graduating high school. What does playing volleyball or basketball have to do with success in life? However, your daily hour of exercise is much more significant than you may think. In fact, not only does exercise help build strength, but it also contributes to decreasing bone loss and alleviating symptoms of depression, among other benefits.
Exercise itself is separated into various types and sports. For example, some types include weight-bearing exercises, strength training exercises, and balance and coordination exercises. Each type can consist of up to one hundred activities, such as weightlifting as a form of weight-bearing exercise, swimming as a form of cardiovascular exercise, and yoga as a balance exercise. Many of these exercises were created to help in the maintenance and development of healthy bones. Physical exercise stimulates bone osteogenesis, the process by which new bones are formed, particularly beneficial in osteoporotic patients with chronically weak bones.
Additionally, weight-bearing exercises such as running, dancing, and strength training put stress on bones, causing them to become denser and more robust. Staying active is especially important for groups vulnerable to bone loss, such as older people and postmenopausal women who experience increasing rates of bone loss with age. Exercise helps maintain cardiovascular health and good form, fighting obesity, and greater mobility as one ages as well. Even exercises as simple as walking have shown to slow the progressive loss of bone mass.
With its role in battling bone loss and its other benefits, regular exercise has been correlated with a longer life expectancy and a lower risk of mortality. Presently, 39.6 percent of US adults are obese, according to the Food Research & Action Center. Another prevalent health condition is diabetes, which increases the chances of heart attack, stroke, and issues with the kidneys, eyes, and nerves. Fortunately, exercise can decrease the relative risk of gestational diabetes mellitus; a type of diabetes often diagnosed during pregnancy, and type 2 diabetes; a health condition more often diagnosed in those who are not physically active. The addition of exercise into a daily routine helps individuals feel better in the present but even more so in the future when it becomes harder to stay mobile.
Exercise doesn’t solely benefit you physically; it also helps with your mental health. Exercise releases endorphins, which are natural brain chemicals that enhance your well-being and contribute to a better mood. Furthermore, endorphins are the chemical behind the “runner’s high” phenomenon athletes experience while running. Aerobic exercise triggers an increase in circulating brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels. These neurotrophic factors promote nerve cell growth in the hippocampus, a region of the brain highly involved in mood regulation, helping you get your mind off any worries. Additionally, joining any running club or just going to the gym allows you to meet many new people, who may become your long-term friends.
The benefits of exercise are endless. From bone health to heart health, and even mental health, exercise is an all-in-one deal for a long, healthy life. Regardless of age, previous health conditions, or gender, exercise benefits everyone who partakes. For the elderly, preventing bone loss through weightlifting exercises and improving balance will decrease the chances of falling and bone fractures. For pregnant women, exercise reduces the probability of developing additional health conditions on top of pregnancy, as well as providing a better mental environment when hormones are out of control. For children and young adults, developing these habits early on will make it easier to continue leading a healthy and active lifestyles in the future. Exercise is beneficial for everyone, and it is important to start creating good habits for the future.
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