Endurance Activity: A Comprehensive Review of its Health Benefits
Endurance activity, which includes activities such as running, biking, and swimming, is an important component of a healthy lifestyle. The purpose of this article is to review the health benefits of endurance activity, as well as potential risks and how to best incorporate it into one’s lifestyle.
Health Benefits
Endurance activity has been linked to numerous health benefits, including improved cardiovascular health, improved lung function, improved insulin sensitivity, improved mental health, and decreased risk for certain cancers (Gleeson, 2017; Pescatello et al., 2018).
Cardiovascular Health: Endurance activity has been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), improve blood pressure, and reduce cholesterol levels (Gleeson, 2017). In addition, it has been found to improve arterial stiffness, which is a major risk factor for CVD (Pescatello et al., 2018).
Lung Function: Endurance activity has been shown to improve lung function, specifically by increasing airway diameter and improving lung capacity (Gleeson, 2017).
Insulin Sensitivity: Endurance activity has been associated with improved insulin sensitivity, which can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes (Gleeson, 2017).
Mental Health: Endurance activity has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood, and improve cognitive function (Gleeson, 2017).
Cancer Risk: Several studies have found that endurance activity can reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, such as colorectal cancer (Gleeson, 2017).
Potential Risks
Although endurance activity is associated with numerous health benefits, it also comes with potential risks. These include overtraining, dehydration, and injuries, such as shin splints and runner’s knee (Pescatello et al., 2018). It is important to be aware of these potential risks and take steps to prevent them.
Incorporating Endurance Activity into One’s Lifestyle
In order to reap the health benefits of endurance activity, it is important to incorporate it into one’s lifestyle in a safe and effective manner. This can be done by gradually increasing the intensity and duration of one’s workouts, as well as taking rest days when needed (Pescatello et al., 2018). It is also important to warm up and cool down properly before and after each workout, and to make sure to stay hydrated.
Conclusion
In conclusion, endurance activity is associated with numerous health benefits, including improved cardiovascular health, improved lung function, improved insulin sensitivity, improved mental health, and decreased cancer risk. However, it is important to be aware of the potential risks associated with endurance activity and to incorporate it into one’s lifestyle in a safe and effective manner.
References
Gleeson, M. (2017). Exercise, immunity and health. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 38(11), 845-856.
Pescatello, L. S., Franklin, B. A., Fagard, R., Farquhar, W. B., Kelley, G. A., & Ray, C. A. (2018). American College of Sports Medicine position stand. Exercise and hypertension. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 50(6), 1223-1234.