Evidence continues to increase supporting the idea that the inclusion of frequent exercise in our modern, 21st century lives is very important for health maintenance and improvement. One recent review study found a decrease in the development of coronary heart disease ranging from 10% to more than 60% when patients exercised regularly. Higher levels of exercise each week were associated with increased benefit. Decreased all-cause mortality also was reported from the Copenhagen City Heart Study with increasing leisure time exercise. A series of experiments in mice revealed that regular exercise prevented cellular senescence in circulating leukocytes as well as in the vascular tree. King et al demonstrated prompt benefit when middle-aged adults adopted healthier lifestyles including regular exercise. Reduced colds were reported in postmenopausal obese women who exercised 45 minutes per day, 5 days per week for 1 year. Moreover, patients with peripheral vascular disease, hypertension, and heart failure all benefited from regular exercise. Numerous other studies have supported the concept that frequent exercise can improve quality and quantity of life.
I have often wondered how and why regular exercise became so important for human beings.
To read this article in its entirety, please visit our website.
— Joseph S. Alpert, MD
Editor-in-Chief, The American Journal of Medicine
This article originally appeared in the January 2011 issue of The American Journal of Medicine.
