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What happens When I DON’T Exercise?

What happens When I DON’T Exercise?

By now, most people know that Physical Activity is important for optimal health and weight control. But what may not completely realize is that physical inactivity is a risk factor for many medical conditions and disease.

According to the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) “Adults should get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week. Exercise recommendations can be met through 30-60 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise (five days per week) or 20-60 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise (three days per week).”  A recent review from Comprehensive Physiology reported that close to 95% of adults in the U.S. do not meet these minimum guidelines for physical activity.

Below are some negative effects of living a sedentary lifestyle:

  • Proneness to visceral obesity, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome
  • Weaker immune system
  • Less executive control of the central nervous system; memory decline
  • Sarcopenia and loss of strength
  • Reduced skin-wound healing
  • Lower oxidative capacity
  • Higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, depression and anxiety
  • Artery stiffness
  • Higher risk of breast, endometrial and colon cancer
  • Elevated risk of osteoporosis
  • Loss of coordination and balance (higher risk of fracture/falls)
  • Decreased function of joints, ligaments and tendons
  • Elevated risk of stroke, coronary heart disease and peripheral artery disease
  • Hypertension, elevated LDL (bad) cholesterol, low HDL (good) cholesterol
  • Increased risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

The good news? No matter your age or gender, you can make a lifestyle change! And in time, the negative effects of physical inactivity can be reversed. Talk with your doctor or physical therapist to set you up on an exercise program that will fit your specific needs.

RET Physical Therapy Group has been “Your neighborhood physical therapy clinic,” since it was founded in 1973. The company is made up of 24 locations in the Puget Sound area that are all locally owned and operated by a team of physical therapists focused on a single purpose: to provide consistent, quality patient care within neighborhoods and communities. For more information, visit www.retptgroup.com

 

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