It is no secret that sport is beneficial for our health, both physical and mental. Physical exercise helps us keep fit, fight against diseases such as diabetes and maintain good brain functioning. Since we are used to spending most of our days behind the desk, it is crucial that we spare time for some physical activity on a regular basis.
Here we are going to look at some major sports benefits that will take effect in the long run.
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Cancer and metabolic disease prevention
Sport can help reduce the risk of cancer development, and the statistics are astonishing.
If exercising regularly, the risk of:
- breast cancer is minimized by 40%
- prostate cancer by 50%
On top of that, performing sports for at least 30 minutes a day helps combat metabolic syndromes such as cholesterol or diabetes.
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Cognitive function support
When you do sport, your muscles and brain receive a higher amount of oxygen.
This has the following impact on a human’s health:
- well-trained and oxygenated muscles require less energy to do their job
- the right level of oxygen in the brain reduces the chances of dying from brain hypoxia
Also, it has been proven that physical activity has a positive effect on a person’s mood and overall well-being, helping to get rid of stress and anxiety.
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Cardiovascular diseases prevention
These diseases are considered to be the number one cause of death. If a person has a sedentary lifestyle, the risks of having a disease of this type are even higher.
With sports exercise, the cardiovascular system becomes stronger, and that can help avoid the following problems:
- blood clots
- heart attacks
- high blood pressure
For those who already suffer from cardiovascular disease, doing sport is also recommended; however, it is necessary to consult a therapist to choose the best type and intensity of physical activities.
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Sport for a strong skeleton
Physical exercise increases bone density because when you make a physical effort, your bones pull and have a little shock. After bones repair themselves, this is what allows them to strengthen. You can see the impact of sport on your skeleton after a few months of regular physical activity.
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Movement is life
With age, people become more subject to twists and fractures, but those who do sport have a lower chance of harming their bodies in this way. Of course, it is important to keep your health conditions in mind and adapt physical activities accordingly.
However, stretching, walking and swimming are recommended at any age.