Exercise is any of a number of activities done with the body which enhances and maintains one's fitness. Exercise can be a variety of physical activities. According to the American Heart Association, it is recommended that healthy individuals aged 18 to 65 should exercise a minimum of 30 minutes per day, five days a week.American Heart Association: Exercise and Fitness

The goal of exercise is to improve physical fitness and health. Exercise has been shown to decrease obesity, heart disease, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes. http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/abstract/343/1/16 In March 2009, four new studies suggested exercise could improve eye health, prevent cancer and improve brain function.LiveScience: Exercise: The Best Medicine (March 5, 2009)

Aerobic exercise targets the heart and cardiovascular system. Anaerobic exercise, also known as strength training, builds muscle mass by targeting specific muscles groups. If burning calories is an exercise goal, aerobic fitness is recommended as more calories are burned when the heart rate is high.http://www.heartmonitors.com/exercisetips/burn_calories.htm

Before exercising, it is recommended one warms up with a short walk and stretch. It is also important to cool down afterwards.Mayo Clinic: Make warming up, cooling down part of your workout

Warming up the body helps to prevent injury. Muscles and tendons (the collagen fibers that connect muscles to bone) should be worked into their activity. Warming up also prepares your cardiovascular system for undergoing the stresses of exercise. It's particularly important to warm up your body when you are exercising in a cold climate. If you're stretching to warm up your muscles, you must make sure to stretch appropriately. Many exercise related injuries are due to improper stretching. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/exercise/SM00067

Cooling down the body after exercise enables your muscles to gradually stop working, for example, walking after running. It also helps slowly decrease breathing and heart rate. Cool down periods typically last 5-10 minutes. Following the cool down period, you should consume a beverage or food item that is high in carbohydrates. At this time, your body is most ready to process and store this as glycogen in the muscles, to ready you for the next workout. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/exercise/SM00067/NSECTIONGROUP=2

Experts state that exercise is a key element in successful weight loss. This is because exercising causes the body to burn calories at a more rapid rate than when it is stationary. Weight loss occurs when more calories are burned than are consumed, and exercising can help to ensure that this happens.http://www.webmd.com/diet/exercise-weight-control

While exercise alone can help expedite weight loss, experts generally agree that it is most effective when combined with a healthy eating plan. Also, it does not matter what type of exercise is performed -- anything that provides a higher level of activity will burn more calories.http://www.webmd.com/diet/exercise-weight-control

The content on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact your doctor or pharmacist before using the information presented here.