How Healthy Does Exercise Keep Us?

Working Out Helps, But It's Not the Answer to All Health Concerns

Nov 8, 2008

Although regular exercise is proven to be helpful in many ways, some of its aspects have been overrated for controlling all of your health concerns.

Exercise makes you have more energy and can reduce the risk of diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular problems. While it is highly recommended that people should do moderate exercise a few times a week, some people use exercise as the sole solution to all of their health concerns.

Science has shown that losing weight with exercise may not be as simple as it sounds. According to Gina Kolata of the New York Times, walking helps lower the risk of diabetes in people who have high blood sugar levels. However, in a federal study where some of the participants were assigned a diet and exercise plan, these people lost very little weight, even though far fewer of them developed diabetes than those who were not assigned to a plan.

Research is also unclear about the reduction for heart disease. While many studies have clearly shown that exercise helps sedentary people lower their risk, others are inconclusive on whether or not there is a much lower risk for people who are already active, since they are different. Kolata says that because active people are less likely to smoke and generally have better eating habits, it's hard to know if exercise truly prevents heart disease or if people who are already at a lower risk for it are more likely to exercise.

Kolata's third example of the uncertainty of exercise benefiting the body observes osteoporosis. Many exercises have not been proven to ward off osteoporosis, but those who exercise may benefit. Kolata reviews studies in exercise for the elderly with the incidence of osteoporosis. Those who worked out moderately were less likely to fall down because they had better balance and are generally stronger than those who were more sedentary. Kolata says, "Since falls can lead to fractures in people with osteoporosis, exercise may prevent broken bones — but only indirectly."

Even though lifting weights helps muscles grow and become stronger, it does not help you lose weight. However, lifting weights does turn fat into muscle and tones the body, helping the muscles grow and become stronger.

With these observations in mind, should people continue to exercise regularly? Absolutely. These examinations may show that exercise is not the only answer to your concerns about your body, but they also show some clear benefits. If your only concerns are boosting metabolism, having more energy, and toning the body, then yes, exercise is the key. However, if your concerns are weight, cholesterol and blood pressure levels, and risk of heart disease, a proper diet plan must be executed in addition to regular exercise. Any specific body and health related concerns should be discussed with your doctor before coming up with a fitness plan.

The copyright of the article How Healthy Does Exercise Keep Us? in Fitness is owned by Denise Musumeci. Permission to republish How Healthy Does Exercise Keep Us? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.