The Importance of Exercise in Adults

Some adults avoid exercise like some kids avoid their vegetables, even though physical activity has many positive outcomes. Approximately 21 percent of adult Americans surveyed met the recommended amounts of exercise, reports a 2013 paper from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If you want to control your weight, lengthen your life and age gracefully, get moving.

  1. Health

    • The CDC says that just 150 minutes of moderate-intensity cardio and two total-body strengthening workouts weekly can improve your health. You reduce your risk of developing chronic conditions, such as heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, some cancers, back pain and high blood pressure. Exceeding the minimum recommendations leads to even greater health benefits.

    Weight Control

    • Exercise burns calories, which helps you manage your weight. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Dietary Guidelines released in 2010, the average sedentary adult woman can eat just 1,800 to 2,000 calories to maintain her weight. Active adult women can eat up to 2,400 calories daily. Sedentary men need between 2,200 to 2,600 calories daily. Active men could need up to 3,000 calories daily.

    Quality of Life

    • A 2013 report from the National Sleep Foundation found that regular exercisers report higher sleep quality than non exercisers. Exercise boosts your mood and can reduce your risk of depression. It can reduce stress and provide you with more stamina to do activities that you enjoy.

    Muscle and Bones

    • Even if you don't aspire to be a body builder, you need some muscle to help you become an efficient calorie burner and to keep you healthy into old age. As you grow older, you naturally lose muscle mass, which can make you less capable of doing day-to-day activities, such as maintaining your home and carrying groceries. Weight-bearing exercises, such as weight training and walking, also build bone density, which reduces your risk of developing osteoporosis.