As highlighted by the World Health Organization (WHO), people with an insufficient level of physical activity have a 20% to 30% higher risk of death compared to those who achieve a sufficient level of exercise in your daily life. It is widely proven that regular exercise helps prevent non-communicable diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and several types of cancer. Likewise, it helps prevent hypertension, maintain a healthy body weight and also helps improve mental health, quality of life and general well-being.
Although the idea that we should take 10,000 steps a day to benefit our health is widespread, the truth is that the WHO does not specify a figure for this purpose, but rather focuses more on generic recommendations for physical activity. For adults, between 18 and 64 years old, they urge moderate aerobic physical activities between 150 and 300 minutes per week; or vigorous aerobic physical activities for at least 75 to 150 minutes. Or an equivalent combination of moderate and intense activities throughout the week, as well as muscle-strengthening activities that exercise all major muscle groups for two or more days a week.
For all these reasons, if walking is not entertaining or does not convince you as an activity to get in shape, there are several disciplines that you can try and that will be as beneficial or more beneficial.
Dancing is an aerobic activity that is entertaining while getting us in shape. It involves all muscle groups in the body and can be adapted to any level of physical activity and mobility. It helps improve balance, agility, coordination and flexibility, thus reducing the risk of falls.
In addition, it is very good for cardiovascular health, it helps burn calories and is good for the brain, since we exercise our memory to remember the steps. As if that were not enough, it is an excellent opportunity to interact with other people.
Tennis, paddle tennis, table tennis, squash… Racquet sports combine cardiovascular exercise with strength work, making them very complete disciplines for exercising the body. They also refine coordination, psychomotor skills, agility, flexibility and reflexes. And since these are sports that are practiced as a couple or in a group, they also serve to establish social relationships.
Pedaling, whether on the street, in the mountains, at home or in the gym, has many health benefits. Strengthens cardiovascular and lung health, as well as muscles. It also improves physical endurance, mobility, coordination, agility and balance. It is also a low-impact sport, so you can get in shape without harming your joints.
Swimming helps tone muscle mass, strengthens the cardiovascular system, is good for regulating blood pressure, and improves agility, flexibility and coordination. It is also a low-impact discipline, perfect for relieving body pain.
