What Major Organs Of The Body Benefit The Most From Exercising?

Regular exercise can lower your risk of heart disease, stroke and some types of cancer. It also can improve your mental health. It has positive effects on your major organs, including your heart and brain, in addition to other body systems such as your muscular and skeletal systems. Meeting basic exercise recommendations by participating in both aerobic and strength-training workouts contributes to better overall health.

Heart

Like other muscles, your heart becomes stronger as you exercise. A stronger heart is more efficient because it can pump more oxygen-rich blood to your body with fewer heartbeats. Regular exercise also promotes healthy cholesterol levels, which helps keep your arteries -- including those that supply your heart tissue with blood -- free of blockages that increase your risk of a heart attack. Keeping your blood pressure controlled though regular exercise is another important way to reduce your risk of developing heart disease.

Brain

Exercise also produces benefits for your brain and mental health. It releases feel-good brain chemicals called endorphins that boost your mood. According to the University of New Hampshire, exercise may activate proteins in your brain that help form new brain cells. You also may be more alert and able to concentrate better after exercise because of the increase in blood flow to your brain during and after your workout.

Muscles and Bones

Although not individual organs, your body's skeletal and muscular systems each benefit from regular exercise training. Muscle strength and mass decline with age, but regular exercise prevents this and also helps keep your joints healthy. Weight-bearing exercises, including running, walking and lifting weights, improve your bone strength and reduce your risk for developing osteoporosis. Increased muscle strength, balance and flexibility from exercise also reduce your risk of falling and becoming injured.

Recommendations

The American College of Sports Medicine recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise five days a week. This is enough to benefit your heart, brain and the rest of your body. Working your way up to 60 minutes or more of aerobic exercise may be necessary to promote and sustain weight loss. Muscle-strengthening exercises, including lifting weights, using resistance bands or doing exercises that use your body weight as resistance, are recommended for your major muscle groups at least two times each week.