A large body of research shows that exercise is beneficial to both the brain and body. Staying active and exercising every day -- or nearly every day -- prevents obesity and helps manage certain serious health conditions, such as diabetes, research studies show. Exercise is especially important for those with heart disease or diabetes. Check with your doctor before embarking on a new exercise regime.
Obesity and Exercise
Walking quickly or performing another regular exercise for 45 to 60 minutes per day is key if you want to lose weight and keep it off, according to John Jakicic, director of the Physical Activity and Weight Management Research Center at the University of Pittsburgh. In 2007, he and his colleagues presented a long-term study, in which 170 overweight and obese women were encouraged to increase their overall physical activity. Those who lost 10 percent or more of their body weight and were able to keep it off for two years changed their eating habits and exercised daily.
COPD and Exercise
According to the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine in 1997, patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) benefited from a doctor-supervised exercise program. In this small-scale study, by the Division of Respiratory and Critical Care Physiology and Medicine at the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, COPD patients breathed easier after participating in a training program. In addition, their tolerance to exercise increased over time.
Mood and Exercise
In a study reported by the Journal of Health Psychology in 2001, exercise helped with confusion, fatigue and total negative mood. Further analysis by researchers indicated that the improvement in mood occurred just 10 minutes after exercise. The researchers suggest that healthy adults should participate in 30 minutes of moderate physical exercise daily, broken into small bouts, if possible.
Diabetes and Exercise
In another study of almost 5,000 overweight people with type 2 diabetes, conducted by the University of Pittsburgh and published in 2007, researchers found significant benefit from a regular walking routine. The study showed that cardiovascular or aerobic fitness improved by 20 percent for those who did 175 more minutes per week of exercise beyond their regular activities.
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