From Lowering Cancer Risk To Easing Pain, 5 Benefits Of Exercising Regularly

Being physically active is the key to good health. Patients with chronic pain, poor mental health and other diseases can improve their health by exercising regularly, according to experts.

Several studies have suggested that it is never too late to start exercising. From a toddler to an elderly, everybody can benefit from being physically active. It is also worth noting that a sick person can benefit the most by adding exercise to his daily routine. Here is how exercising can improve your health:

Lowers Lung Cancer Risk: Current and former smokers can reduce their risk of developing and dying of lung cancer by being physically fit, according to a study. The study that was published in Preventive Medicine last month suggested that aerobic exercise like walking, jogging, running and biking, can be beneficial for both current and former smokers.

Aerobic exercises at moderate to vigorous intensity for 20 to 30 minutes for at least three to five times a week "can improve the cardiorespiratory fitness of an individual," lead researcher Baruch Vainshelboim from the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System and Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, told Reuters.

Improves Health Of Obese Or Overweight People: Obesity and overweight are the two major causes of several chronic illnesses, like cardiovascular problems and cancers. In order to reduce the risk of these diseases, obese or overweight people need to keep moving.

One of the best ways to encourage them to stay fit is by involving them in several competitions, like step counting, a study stated. The research that was published in the medical journal JAMA earlier this year stated that competition gradually becomes a habit and it improves the overall health of a person.

Reduces Walking Pain Related To Arthritic Knee: Hip-strengthening exercises can be beneficial for patients of knee osteoarthritis, according to a study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine in February. It stated that exercises that involve elastic bands or weights can reduce the walking pain that is related to an arthritic knee.

A large population in the world is not well aware of the various types of exercises that can be beneficial for them, lead researcher Andrew Hislop from the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia, said. "Strengthening the hip muscles, particularly the hip abductors, might improve pelvic drop and trunk control, lightening the load on the knee," he added.

Eases Depression: Aerobic exercises can ease depression and even improve the mental health of those who are chronically ill, according to a study. The research that was published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine earlier this year suggested that people with chronic diseases can improve their mood by doing aerobic exercises.

Something is better than nothing and more is better than less. So, even a short duration of physical activity could be enough to reduce depression, senior study author Simon Bacon of Concordia University in Montreal, Canada, said. "To some degree our study reinforces this point," the researcher added.

Lowers Heat-Related Illnesses In Diabetic Patients: Diabetic patients are prone to heat strokes and other heat related illnesses. Exercising regularly can help these people in improving heart rate, sweat more and maintain a lower body temperature, a study that was published in the medical journal JAMA earlier this month suggested.

The research stated that performing physical activities outdoors in the early or late hours of the day can improve the overall health of a diabetic. "Our study findings indicate that caution should be used when performing strenuous exercise, especially in the heat. Individuals should consider exercising indoors in a cool or dry and well-ventilated environment if it is hit outdoors, " senior study author Glen Kenny from the University of Ottawa in Canada said.