Marks et al., (2006) state that exercise has numerous psychological benefits and these include stress adaptation through adrenal activity, an increase in neurotransmission of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, which subsequently increases mood, an increase in perceived self-efficacy, a state of preoccupation or a diversion from unpleasant emotions and cognitions, a post-state of tranquility, and an increase in positive self-perception and self esteem. Physically, exercise provides the benefits of controlling and maintaining optimal weight and fat levels, the reduction of risk for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, the strengthening of bones, ligaments, and muscles, a reduction in susceptibility to some cancers, and an increase in life duration (Schwarzenegger, 1998).
Regular Exercise and Quality of Life
Together, the physical and psychological benefits of regular exercise stand to drastically improve health and quality of life. This may be especially pertinent to individuals in late adulthood who face contrastingly different biophysical problems than younger individuals. In fact, studies show that individuals ages 75 – 99 who exercised three times a week gained a considerable amount of strength, flexibility, and mobility as well as a reversion of sarcopenia, the age related condition of muscle wasting (Ashford, LeCroy, & Lortie, 2006).
Do Men and Women Both Benefit from Physical Exercise?
Excluding disability and potential health conditions, men and women both stand to benefit from physical exercise, although their motivation for partaking in physical activity is believed to hold variance. Specifically, Marks et al., (2006) state that women pursue physical activity as a means to maintain a positive body image while men pursue physical activity through the reward of engaging in sport and maintaining fitness. To note, a San Antonio Heart Study conducted by Rainwater et al., (2010) did find that a change in physical activity over a five-year period reduced cardiovascular risk factors to a slightly greater degree in men as opposed to women. However, a majority of current research suggests that men and women both physiologically benefit from physical exercise equally.
References:
Ashford, J. B., LeCroy, C.W., & Lortie, K. L. (2006). Human behavior in the social environment
(3rd ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson, Brooks/Cole
Marks, D. F., Murray, M., Evans, B., Willig, C., Woodall, C., & Sykes, C. M. (2006). Health psychology: Theory, research, and practice. London: Sage.
Rainwater, D. L., Shi, Q., Mahaney, M.C., Hodara, V., Vandberg, J. L., & Wang X.L. (2010) Genetic regulation of endothelial inflammatory responses in baboons. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, 30,1628.
Schwarzenegger, A. (Eds.). (1998). The new encyclopedia of modern bodybuilding. New York: Simon & Schuster
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