Can Exercise Prevent Disease?

Question by Shannon S.
Posted on February 24, 2008

Does regular exercise really help to prevent disease? If so, what's the best exercise to do?

Kristi's Answer

Kristi Tuck, BS, ACSM is a certified Health/Fitness Instructor through…Read Full Bio

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that:
“ Regular physical activity reduces people’s risk for heart attack, colon cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure and may reduce their risk for stroke.”

Regular exercise has also been show to decrease fatigue, increase functional strength, reduce anxiety and depression and increase overall energy levels and stamina. However, despite the proven health benefits of physical activity, many adults and children do not get the minimum requirements of activity in their daily lives.

The American College of Sports Medicine recommends that people engage in 30 minutes of moderately-intense activity on most days of the week. The guidelines are very general so as to accommodate a wide variety of interests and abilities. It is also not necessary to do strenuous bouts of exercise to see the benefits. It has been shown that 30 minutes of accumulated activity is just as effective at increasing one’s health as continuous activity.

The bottom line is that you need to move your body at a moderate pace on most days of the week. And, the “best” exercise is one that you enjoy and will continue to do on a daily basis.