According to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to obtain adequate physical activity for health, Americans should perform __________.
a. 100 minutes/week of moderate-intensity activity, 55 minutes/week of vigorous-intensity activity, or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity
b. 300 minutes/week of moderate-intensity activity, 60
minutes/week of vigorous-intensity activity, or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity
c. 200 minutes/week of moderate-intensity activity, 75 minutes/week of vigorous-intensity activity, or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity
d. 150 minutes/week of moderate-intensity activity, 75 minutes/week of vigorous-intensity activity, or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity
Which of the following health benefits of regular exercise most directly affects your brain?
a. reduced anxiety, improved mood, and increased range of motion
b. increased metabolism, increased strength, and increased bone density
c. reduced stress, improved mood, and better concentration
d. reduced risk of depression, reduced risk of osteoporosis, and improved concentration
e. reduced stress, increased levels of HDL cholesterol, and improved cognitive function
Which of the following are health benefits of regular exercise?
a. decreased risk for colon cancer, leukemia, and breast cancer in women
b. improved concentration, reduced risk of type 1 diabetes, and increased resistance to the flu
c. increased levels of HDLs, more efficient heart function, and increased risk of osteoporosis
d. improved self-esteem, better sleep, and increased resistance to colds
e. improved self-esteem, improved concentration, and
reduced levels of HDL cholesterol
The four components of an aerobic exercise program are __________.
a. duration, speed, flexibility and strength
b. speed, time, type, and duration
c. frequency, intensity, duration, and type
d. strength, intensity, frequency, and time
Health-related components of physical fitness include __________.
a. strength, speed, agility, coordination, and endurance
b. power,
balance, strength, flexibility, and endurance
c. agility, body composition, flexibility, muscle endurance, and strength
d. cardiorespiratory endurance, strength, muscle endurance, flexibility, and body composition
Strengthen Your Bones and Muscles
As you age, it’s important to protect your bones, joints, and muscles – they support your body and help you move. Keeping bones, joints, and muscles healthy can help ensure that you’re able to do your daily activities and be physically active.
Muscle-strengthening activities like lifting weights can help you increase or maintain your muscle mass and strength. This is important for older adults who experience reduced muscle mass and muscle strength with aging. Slowly increasing the amount of weight and number of repetitions you do as part of muscle strengthening activities will give you even more benefits, no matter your age.
Improve Your Ability to do Daily Activities and Prevent Falls
Everyday activities include climbing stairs, grocery shopping, or playing with your grandchildren. Being unable to do everyday activities is called a functional limitation. Physically active middle-aged or older adults have a lower risk of functional limitations than people who are inactive.
For older adults, doing a variety of physical activity improves physical function and decreases the risk of falls or injury from a fall. Include physical activities such as aerobic, muscle strengthening, and balance training. Multicomponent physical activity can be done at home or in a community setting as part of a structured program.
Hip fracture is a serious health condition that can result from a fall. Breaking a hip have life-changing negative effects, especially if you’re an older adult. Physically active people have a lower risk of hip fracture than inactive people.
Increase Your Chances of Living Longer
An estimated 110,000 deaths per year could be prevented if US adults ages 40 and older increased their moderate-to-vigorous physical activity by a small amount. Even 10 minutes more a day would make a difference.
Taking more steps a day also helps lower the risk of premature death from all causes. For adults younger than 60, the risk of premature death leveled off at about 8,000 to 10,000 steps per day. For adults 60 and older, the risk of premature death leveled off at about 6,000 to 8,000 steps per day.
Manage Chronic Health Conditions & Disabilities
Regular physical activity can help people manage existing chronic conditions and disabilities. For example, regular physical activity can:
- Reduce pain and improve function, mood, and quality of life for adults with arthritis.
- Help control blood sugar levels and lower risk of heart disease and nerve damage for people with type 2 diabetes.
- Help support daily living activities and independence for
people with disabilities. Also see:
- Health Benefits Associated with Physical Activity for People with Chronic Conditions and Disabilities [PDF-14.4MB]
- Key Recommendations for Adults with Chronic Conditions and Disabilities [PDF-14.4MB]