Physical Exercise Benefits: Disease Prevention & Cognitive Function

This essay examines the significant benefits of physical exercise, particularly for the aging population, in mitigating the decline of motor and cognitive functions. It highlights the role of physical activity as a modulator that stimulates structural and functional changes in the brain, contributing to disease prevention and enhanced cognitive abilities. The essay focuses on the advantages of physical exercise for adults in preventing cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, and improving both physical and cognitive functions. Regular physical activity is emphasized as a crucial component of a healthy lifestyle for the elderly, with discussions on how exercise helps prevent cardiovascular risk factors, manage blood glucose levels, and facilitate the release of neurotrophic factors. The essay concludes by recommending regular exercise, such as walking and dancing, to improve cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness, along with cognitive functions, and underscores the importance of physical activity as a cost-effective and natural approach to preventing lifestyle-related diseases.

Running head: PHYSICAL EXERCISES 1
Physical exercises
Students name
Institution affiliation

PHYSICAL EXERCISE 2
Beneficial effects of physical activities on disease prevention and improved physical
and cognitive function
The decline in motor and cognitive function with age has a significant impact on the
performance and wellbeing of the aging population. Physical exercise can mitigate this decline
and improve the motor and cognitive abilities in the aging population. Physical activity is a
strong modulator that encourages structural and functional fluctuations in the brain, contributing
to numerous benefits not only in disease prevention but also in the improvement of cognitive
functions and wellbeing of an individual. This essay will discuss the benefits of Physical exercise
for adults in cardiovascular and diabetes disease prevention and improved physical and cognitive
functions.
Regular physical activities has been proven to support mental and physical functions and
reverse some effects of chronic disorders keeping the aging population independent. In diabetes
care and cardiovascular care and management, physical activity is a fundamental part of a
lifestyle that should be embraced by the elderly population (Zhao, O’Sullivan & Singh, 2018).
Cardiovascular disease has been named as a significant cause of death attributed to lifestyle
changes. Sedentary behavior is linked to numerous disorders, including adverse cardiovascular
health, obesity, diabetes mellitus, and cancer (Agarwal, 2012). Physical activities not only help
in the prevention of these disorders but also in their management.
Through regular exercise, various cardiovascular risk factors are prevented, including
dyslipidemia, obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and metabolic syndrome. Exercise is
attributed to weight loss and plays a significant role in blood pressure reduction. High cholesterol
levels in the body are reduced through exercise, reducing the chances of developing a
cardiovascular disorder (Lear & Yusuf, 2017). Regular activities can help elderly individuals in

PHYSICAL EXERCISE 3
controlling the blood glucose level. The body muscles use the glucose without insulin when one
is exercising hence decreasing the glucose levels, which is a major factor leading to diabetes
(Mandolesi et al., 2018). Physical activities facilitate the release of neurotrophic factors, for
instance, Brain-derived neurotrophic influence, increase blood circulation, improves
cerebrovascular wellbeing and defines the benefit on lipid and glucose metabolism transporting
nutrients into the brain (Lear & Yusuf, 2017).
The best physical exercise practices in the elderly population in order to improve
cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness, improve bone, and cognitive function individuals should
engage in activities such as walking, dancing, sports, games among other activities. In the elderly
population, physical activity should be of at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic
exercises on a weekly basis or at least 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic exercises every
week. Regular assessment and counseling should be carried out to support an increase in the
intensity of exercise.
In conclusion, physical activities determine the psychological and biological effects that
have an impact on the brain and the cognitive functioning and influence a state of health and
welfare. Regular physical activities offer numerous health benefits to the elderly population
through the maintenance of good balance and muscle strength. To reduce and prevent risks
associated with the development of diabetes and cardiovascular disorders, elderly individuals
should indulge in regular physical activities. Physical activity has been indicated as a natural,
effective, and cheap way to avoid cardiovascular diseases and diabetes among other lifestyle
attributed diseases.

PHYSICAL EXERCISE 4
References
Agarwal, S. K. (2012). Cardiovascular benefits of exercise. International journal of general
medicine, 5, 541.
Lear, S. A., & Yusuf, S. (2017). Physical Activity to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease: A Simple,
Low-Cost, and Widely Applicable Approach for All Populations. JAMA
cardiology, 2(12), 1358-1360.
Mandolesi, L., Polverino, A., Montuori, S., Foti, F., Ferraioli, G., Sorrentino, P., & Sorrentino,
G. (2018). Effects of physical exercise on cognitive functioning and wellbeing: biological
and psychological benefits. Frontiers in psychology, 9, 509.
Zhao, R. R., O'Sullivan, A. J., & Singh, M. A. F. (2018). Exercise or physical activity, and
cognitive function in adults with type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance or impaired glucose
tolerance: a systematic review. European Review of Aging and Physical Activity, 15(1), 1.