Exercise Effects

Status of Americans

About 65% of Americans over age twenty, are overweight or obese.

According to the Center for Disease Control, more than 60% of adults DO NOT achieve the recommended amount of physical activity. Twenty-five percent of adults do not receive any physical activity at all (15).

Clink the following link for an article addressing excuses not to exercise (Americans and Exericse Article)

Benefits of Physical Activity

Physical activity is associated with a reduced risk of: dying prematurely, heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, and colon cancer. Exericse also helps to control weight, increase HDL cholesterol, maintain and build healthy bones, muscles, and joints. (1, 5, 6, 7, 10, 15, 16, 20, 24, 25, 33, 41, 50).

Basically, physical activity creates a more healthy and effective quality of life (50)

Physical Activity Recommendations

Image Source: http://www.aafp.org/afp/

Exericse and Stroke Risk

"One of the cheapest ways of preventing stroke is to exercise regularly"

-Michael Brainin, M.D. (15)

 

Physically active individuals are at a 40-50% reduction of risk of stroke (52).

Studies have shown that benefits are achieved from physical activity in men and women, young or old, with or without previous coronary heart disease, stroke, or stroke risk (52).

Studies are also currently showing that physical activity DOES NOT need to be vigorous to produce a benefit. Moderate physical activity such as walking and non-sport activity are enough to produce a benefit. For example brisk walking for three or more hours a week can be very beneficial (1, 5, 6, 10, 15, 20, 33, 35, 36, 41, 44, 49, 50).

Benefits of Treadmill Training: Requires the performance of an everyday task (walking), handrails can be used for support, and exercise intensity can be altered with changing the treadmill grade and/or speed (15).

Aerobic training for a stroke patient should be monitored by a doctor. In general, the patient's ability to walk and to use bikes or treadmills should be determined. The target heart rate should be 50-70% of the patient's maximal heart rate and warm-up and cool downs should always be implemented (52)