PHYSICAL ACTIVITY Flashcards
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY: HEALTH
BENEFITS
Stronger bones and muscles
Improved endurance, balance, flexibility
Decreased falls risk
Reduces stress
FUN!!
COGNITIVE HEALTH BENEFITS:
THE EVIDENCE: Animal Studies
- Enriched environments
- Imaging
COGNITIVE HEALTH BENEFITS:
THE EVIDENCE
Human Studies
- Prospective
- Randomized Controlled
Trials (RCT) - Meta-analysis
- Imaging
THE EVIDENCE: ANIMAL STUDIES
Increased blood flow to the brain
Nerve cell growth and improved cell connections
Enhanced brain chemistry and growth factors
Reduce Beta-amyloid (hallmark of AD)
Anti-Aging effect
relationship between exercise and overall health
The key takeaway from the slide is that any amount of exercise is better than none because it helps you move away from a less healthy state. The more you exercise, the closer you get to optimal health, and the slower the progression towards chronic conditions.
The sweet spot for maximum benefits seems to be around four hours of exercise per week. This level of physical activity is shown to significantly shift individuals from a suboptimal health state to a more optimal one. So, the message is clear: incorporating some form of exercise into your routine is beneficial, and doing around four hours per week appears to be particularly advantageous for overall health.
BARRIERS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Cost
Time
(Caregiver Responsibilities)
Ageism
Transportation
Weather
Fear of injury