8 reasons to start sports
1. Sport helps to improve mental health and well-being
Regular physical activity helps to improve cognitive processes, learning, memory, can reduce the risk of depression. Usually, after only 5 minutes of moderate physical activity, the effects of improving well-being are observed. The effects are not just short-term, they can help reduce long-term depression. Exercise is supposed to decrease the symptoms of chronic depression by increasing the level of serotonin (the neurotransmitter that is the target of antidepressants) or neurotrophic factors derived from the brain that support the development of neurons. Another theory suggests that sports help normalize sleep, which is known to have a protective effect on the brain.
Physical activity stimulates many chemical compounds that induce happiness and relaxation. Sport can also improve self-esteem, confidence. Also, even studies suggest that active people are less depressed than sedentary people.
2. Sport helps maintain or gain a healthy weight
Physical activity and diet play a key role in regulating body weight. The level of physical activity required varies depending on several factors, including: whether we want to maintain our weight or whether we want to lose weight. A meta-analysis published in the journal BMC Public Health (2013) shows that physical activity reduces the risk of obesity and shows a correlation between physical activity and the reduction of excessive body weight. (2. 3)
Physical training prevents overweight and promotes weight loss. The more intense the physical activity, the more calories you burn.
3. Physical activity can reduce cardiovascular risk
In the case of active people, the risk of cardiovascular disease is 20-35% lower. Caloric consumption, more precisely the combustion of about 1000 kcal. weekly can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Moderate or intense physical activity that involves burning 2000-3000 kcal seems to further reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke or hypertension. (3)
4. Exercise means stronger bones and muscles
Aerobic exercise, muscle strengthening and endurance can reduce the process of bone demineralization, reduce the risk of fractures and help with arthritis. Physical training can reduce the risk of osteoporosis due to increased bone density during training. It also has beneficial effects not only for the development of strong and healthy bones, but also for muscles.
5. Sport reduces the risk of some diseases
Sport fights cellular damage to tissues or organs, improves the immune system and protects us from germs and bacteria. Regular exercise can reduce hypertension and high cholesterol, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease or diabetes. It also improves lung capacity, reduces insulin resistance and reduces the risk of metabolic diseases.
6. Sport improves posture and reduces back pain
Prolonged sitting and lack of physical activity lead to an incorrect posture, associated with back pain. Exercise can improve the strength, flexibility and hardness of muscles, tendons and ligaments, and also support the health of the spine. Sedentary lifestyle is often the cause of back pain because it increases bone stiffness and weakens muscles.
7. Exercise helps increase intelligence
Physical activity can have a major positive impact on cognitive functions and intelligence, improving learning performance. Sport increases the level of oxygen that reaches the brain, promotes and facilitates brain neutrotransmission, increases brain-derived neutrophils that support neuronal differentiation and neuronal resistance. Neutrophils ensure the survival of neurons in the areas responsible for learning, memory and the power of thinking and concentration.
Engaging in physical activities, even of low intensity, promotes the production of cells in the hippocampus, responsible for memory and learning. The hippocampus shrinks with age, which explains decreased memory and increased risk of dementia. Regular physical activity can even lead to increased hippocampus, according to research, further preventing the risk of dementia and mental illness.
8. Sport improves sleep quality
Exercise improves sleep quality, according to research by the National Sleep Foundation. Physical activity can be used beneficially to improve sleep and to replace medications as a non-pharmaceutical alternative.
Comments