Why Is Exercise Important

Why is exercise important? There are a number of interesting answers to this question.

In order to understand the answer to the question, "why is exercise important?" one must comprehend the holistic nature of physical fitness. In other words, while it may be tempting to focus exclusively on the physical benefits of exercise, research studies have shown that fitness can also have a profound influence on memory, learning abilities and psychological disposition. Additionally, exercise can increase self confidence and self esteem. However, all of these benefits are interrelated. For example,losing weight through exercise can lead to increased self esteem. Likewise, the enhanced memory that is gained through exercise can increase self confidence, which can in turn enhance mood.

As we age, our metabolic rate has a tendency to slow down. As a result, we may begin to gain weight, even if we do not increase the number of calories that we consume. In fact, if we are not exercising on a regular basis, we might begin to gain weight, even if we are eating less. Exercise helps control weight in two distinct ways:

• You can burn calories by participating in an aerobic exercise program. Aerobic exercise not only burns calories. For up to two hours after an aerobic workout session, your metabolism will be elevated, which means that you are burning an increased number of calories while at rest.
• You can speed up your metabolism by performing a weight training. Although strength training does not burn as many calories as aerobic exercise, toned muscles burn more calories in their sedentary state than muscles that have not been exercised.

The Encyclopedia of International Sports Studies explains an intrinsic connection between exercise and mental well being. The authors speculate that on a physiological level, the mood enhancing benefits of exercise may be due to increased blood flow to the brain, as well as increased secretions of neurotransmitters such as endorphins and serotonin. However, the authors also suggest that feelings of competency, as well as the opportunities for social interaction contribute to the mood enhancing benefits of exercise.

In his book entitled Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain, author John Ratey discusses the connection between exercise, learning and memory retention. According to Ratey, exercise causes the brain to produce a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which is also known as BDNF. Ratey cites a study performed by kinesiology and neuroscience professor Charles Hillman, which was published in the Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology. Apparently, Hillman and his research team put 259 Illinois third-graders through a typical physical fitness regimen and measured their body mass. When he checked their math and reading scores, he discovered a distinct correlation between high scores on the physical tests and high scores in math and reading.

Exercise can help control blood pressure. It will also increase your "good" cholesterol, known as HDL, while reducing your "bad" cholesterol, known as LDL. Exercise has also been shown to be effective in preventing heart disease. Since exercise can be sleep-inducing, it can also provide a cure for insomnia.

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