A person’s physical activity requirements depend on a number of variables, including their current health status and personal goals. The simple answer is that some is better than none, and more is usually better than some. That sentiment doesn’t change as we age.
In other words, if you aren’t currently performing any physical activity, incorporating even just a few minutes of movement into your daily routine can yield important health benefits. And, if you are physically active, but maybe not as consistently as you’d like, adding more movement to your routine will typically increase those benefits.
It’s important to note that these suggestions involve health benefits only, not the fitness- or performance-related benefits that may come with more structured and intense exercise. Also, the benefits are greater for those who add physical activity to a previously sedentary lifestyle. So if you are currently performing little or no physical activity, adding short bouts of simple movement to your day can drive pretty dramatic results. If you add more physical activity to an already somewhat active lifestyle, you will still see benefit, but not as much as someone who has been living a sedentary lifestyle.
Benefits of Staying Physically Active
The health benefits of physical activity include:
Reduced risk of dementia and depression.
Lowered incidence of hypertension and diabetes.
Improved bone and cardiovascular health.
Improved sleep quality.
Reduced risk of death from heart disease, cancer and all other causes.
Yes, you read that right: all other causes. Research into what is called “all-cause mortality risk,” meaning a person’s risk of dying for any reason, revealed that people who were somewhat active had a 30% lower risk of dying than those who were inactive. And that percentage climbed as people performed more physical activity.
As you can see, the stakes are high, so let’s explore what just a little movement can do for you.