Wellness, Fitness and Longevity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Wellness, Fitness and Longevity - Essay Example Physical activity varies from formal exercise, as it is basic human movement for example climbing the stairs. Its benefits are far-reaching and more so for people who do not undertake planned exercises, or those that would like to start doing planned exercises. These benefits include weight control, minimizing risk of cardio-vascular diseases, type 2 diabetes and some cancers, strengthening one’s muscles and bones and improving one’s mental health and mood (â€Å"Physical Activity and Health†, 2011). To achieve these benefits fully, one is encouraged to graduate their physical activities to a moderate level where a common chore such as washing a car should be done continuously for 40 minutes before taking a break; and they should be carried out more frequently. Therefore, this means a moderate activity is aimed at reaching a targeted heart rate first and then resting (Your Guide to Lowering High Blood Pressure). The federal strategies of physical activity in adults, as stipulated in the 2008 Americans Physical Activity procedure should include aerobics and muscle-strengthening activities. All of which should take 150 minutes per week, spread out between the two groups where aerobic activities would include brisk walking and muscle-strengthening includes weight-lifting and should be done less often. The aerobic activities vary as either moderate or vigorous where the more vigorous an activity, for instance jogging, less time should be taken to avoid injury. On the other hand, muscle-strengthening activities should involve each main muscle groups; on average, the latter group of activities should be carried out on at least two days each week. However, as one goes along and adapts to a routine of these activities, the time may be increased in order to attain even greater health benefits (â€Å"Activity for Adults†, 2008). In children, the guidelines state that they should undertake at least 60 minutes every day of aerobic activity such as running. For the