Types of exercises and physical fitness

Types of exercises and physical fitness:
By Dr. Kanthimathi 

Benefits of exercise:
-Decreases the coronary artery heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers.
-Lowers blood pressure 
-Improves insulin sensitivity and weight management.

In aged individuals:
-Maintains bone density 
-Reduces the risk of dementia and cognitive decline 
-Improves depression and anxiety 
-Increases energy levels and well being.

4 types of exercises are necessary for overall physical fitness. 
They are:
-Aerobic exercises 
-Strength training exercises 
-Balance training exercises 
-Flexibility exercises 
According to experts, all the 4 types are important for maximising overall fitness. Each type is important in its own way to maximise the fitness and prevent injury. 
 In what way these different types of exercises are important?
-Aerobic exercises:-
(running , swimming, dancing etc)
Increase heart rate and blood flow and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases , type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.
-Strength training exercises:
(weight lifting, pushups and crunches)
          Help muscles to be stronger and in turn help to support and protect the joints from injury .
          Promote burning calories and increase lean muscle mass that is important for loosing weight.
-Balance training exercises:
(Shifting your weight from side to side, standing on one foot, walking heal to toe, using a balance board or stabllity ball.)
         They use muscle strength in a coordinated way to control and stabilise the movement 
-Flexibility exercises:
(Stretching the different muscles like muscles of shoulders, arms, forearm , back, leg etc.)
      Flexibility exercises lengthen the muscles and allow the Joints to move freely  and have full range of movement .     
      Also they are important in Improving running economy, preventing injury and soreness, and hastening the rehabilitation following injury.

To sum up:
 -(According to Edward Lavowski from Mayo clinic ) Doing aerobic exercises alone is not  sufficient for effective overall fitness.
-Different types of exercises emphasis on different elements of physical fitness.
 -All the 4 types need not be combined to do on the same day.
Depending on your goal these exercises can be done in different combinations on different days.
-Thus,  all the 4 types of exercises are essential for the maximum effects of overall fitness.


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