Benefits of activity: Health Benefits
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Maintain your health and independence as you age
Physical activity is one of the most important things you can do to maintain your physical and mental health and quality of life as you get older. Walking, stretching, and keeping your muscles in good condition will help you to maintain your independence.
Physical inactivity makes your body age faster
Independent living depends on being able to do the things you want to do when you want to do them. To stay independent you need to be able to reach, bend, lift, carry, and move around easily. Staying physically active will help you to keep moving, and stay strong.
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Here are some interesting facts:
- Inactivity is as harmful to your health as smoking
- 70% of older adults are not active enough to benefit their health
- Sitting or lying for long periods is a serious health risk (World Health Organisation)
- Inactivity leads to your bones and muscles becoming weaker, your heart and lungs don’t work as well and you lose flexibility. In later life, inactive people lose the basic strength and flexibility for daily activities. As a result, many lose their independence and have poorer mental health
- Inactivity causes heart disease, diabetes, stress and obesity
- Develop more risk of being overweight or obese: this also increases the risk of other medical conditions
- Greater risk of getting more injuries and accidents than physically active people
- Inactive employees have more days off work than active employees
- Inactive young people are at risk of poorer self-esteem, greater anxiety and higher stress levels
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Regular physical activity can reduce the risk or
incidence of the following age-related conditions: |
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- Heart attack is significantly reduced with 150 kcal of physical activity per day (100Kcal = approx. 1 mile of walking)
- Stroke reduced by 20-40%
- Diabetes Type 2 reduced by 30%
- Hip fractures reduced by 40%
- Inactivity causes heart disease, diabetes, stress and obesity
- Colon cancer reduced by 10-46%
- Stroke reduced by 20-40%
- Firmer muscle tone
- Improved sleeping patterns
- Increased metabolism
- Increased ability to manage stress
- Healthier heart and lungs
- Stronger bones, which helps prevent osteoporosis
- More energy
- Prevention and/or the elimination of lower back pain
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Source: www.ukwellness.com/medical-conditions/risk/inactivity
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