Exercise and Its Effect on Preventative Health Care

By Jessica Nguyen, MHA Candidate, B.S. in Health Education

In recent years, health care providers have made the switch from focusing on treating ailments to focusing on preventing those ailments from happening in the first place, more commonly known as preventative care. Many people know that physical fitness and healthy nutrition are two important factors of preventative care, but how do they really prevent disease?

Weight Management

Being overweight can lead to a number of different diseases and ailments. According to Mercy Health System, “People who are overweight or obese (BMI 30 or more) are more likely to have heart disease, strokes, diabetes, cancer, and depression.” In addition, hypertension has been linked to being overweight, fat accumulation around your neck area can cause sleep apnea, heavier people are more likely to have osteoarthritis and knee problems, and overweight people have been shown to have a decrease in fertility.

Bone and Joint Health

A common ailment for our clients is their ever-aching bones and joints. And while it may seem counterproductive to use those bones and joints for strenuous exercise, activity is just what your bones and joints need to stay strong. According to Harvard Medical School, getting enough exercise can help bones maintain strength that might otherwise be lost because of age- and hormone-related changes. Some exercises that may help your bone and joint health are resistance exercises, weight bearing exercises, and, of course, stretching.

Cognitive Health

According to Cleveland Clinic, exercise may provide physical benefits to the brain, too, such as increasing the thickness of the cerebral cortex and improving the integrity of your white matter, the nerve fibers that connect areas of the brain’s nerve-cell-rich gray matter. It also promotes neuroplasticity, which is your brain’s ability to form new neural connections and adapt throughout life.

Mental Health

Of course, many studies have shown that more exercise and activity can improve one’s mental health. An article from Mayo Clinic suggests that exercise can ease the symptoms of depression and anxiety through releasing “feel-good” endorphins. It can also provide other mental and emotional benefits such as providing a healthier coping mechanism and helping one gain confidence.