Physical activity reduces the risk of nearly three dozen harmful conditions and life-threatening diseases. Medical dictionaries, fitness and exercise data sources all indicate that the following medical conditions respond positively to physical activity:
1. Low cardiovascular fitness – cardiovascular fitness is the ability of the heart and lungs to supply oxygen-rich blood to the working muscle tissues and the ability of the muscles to use oxygen to produce energy for movement.
2. Coronary heart disease – generally refers to conditions that involve narrowed or blocked blood vessels that can lead to a heart attack, chest pain (angina) or stroke. Other heart conditions, such as those that affect your heart’s muscle, valves or rhythm, also are considered forms of heart disease.
3. Endothelial dysfunction – compromise of normal function of the endothelial cells (inner lining of blood vessels) leading to the inability of arteries and arterioles to dilate fully in response to appropriate stimulus.
4. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) – plaque builds up in the arteries that carry blood to your head, organs, and limbs. Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, fibrous tissue, and other substances in the blood.
5. Hypertension
6. Stroke
7. Congestive heart failure – a weakness of the heart that leads to a buildup of fluid in the lungs and surrounding body tissues.
8. Osteoporosis – disease of the bones. Bones become weak and may break from a minor fall or another minor accident
9. Osteoarthritis – most common form of arthritis. Chronic breakdown of cartilage in the joints leading to pain, stiffness, and swelling.
10. Rheumatoid arthritis – a chronic inflammatory disorder that typically affects the small joints in your hands and feet.
11. Depression
12. Anxiety
13. Cognitive dysfunction – mental health disorders that primarily affect learning, memory, perception, and problem solving, and include dementia.
14. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease – accumulation of fat in the liver of people who drink little alcohol
15. Diverticulitis – inflammation of one or more diverticula (small bulging sacs pushing outward from the colon wall) characterized by abdominal pain, fever, and changes in bowel movements.
16. Constipation
17. Gallbladder disease
18. Accelerated biological aging/premature death
19. Type 2 diabetes (including insulin resistance and prediabetes)
20. Metabolic syndrome – the name for a group of risk factors that raises your risk for heart disease and other health problems, such as diabetes and stroke
21. Obesity
22. Colon cancer
23. Endometrial cancer
24. Breast cancer
25. Sarcopenia – loss of muscle mass and strength, which in turn affects balance, gait and overall ability to perform tasks of daily living.
26. Balance problems
27. Bone fracture/falls
28. Dyslipidemia–high total or high LDL cholesterol level, or lowHDL cholesterol.
29. Gestational diabetes – develops during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes affects how your cells use sugar, causes high blood sugar that can affect your pregnancy and your baby’s health.
30. Polycystic ovary syndrome – a condition in which a woman has an imbalance of female sex hormones. This may lead to changes in the menstrual cycle, cysts in the ovaries, trouble getting pregnant, and other health problems.
31. Preeclampsia – pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to another organ system, often the kidneys.
32. Erectile dysfunction
33. Hemostasis (blocked blood flow)–an abnormal blood flow obstruction such as plaque.
34. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) – blood clot that forms in a vein deep in the body. Most deep vein blood clots occur in the lower leg or thigh.
35. Pain
There is just not a simpler way to say it. “Move it, my friends, and if you need help, call me!”
For information about exercise classes in the Athens/Limestone County contact Janet Hunt, an ACE Personal Trainer and an ACE Group Fitness Instructor, at 256-614-3530 or jhunt9155@gmail.com .
By: Janet Hunt
Janet Hunt is a Certified Personal Trainer and can be reached at 256-614-3530 to schedule an appointment.
