Physical Fitness Stats and Facts

Since when was the last time you treat your body to a rigorous workout? And, how long it's been since you last time saw a gym and participated in an aerobics class? Well, I think the answer is pretty obvious, either it was like ages ago since you've been there; you barely go to the gym, or not at all. Sad but true. That practically means that you are one of those 36 % of people who do not participate in leisure activities, as reported by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Here are some facts about physical fitness that may help you decide to furnish your body with a regular boost:

• Our body has more than 650 working muscles. So better make a good use of them now, or else fat will most likely accumulate into its tissues as they transform into a horrible, lumpy exterior.
• A routine of physical fitness activity for at least seven hours a week may prolong your lifespan for about 40% compared to those living a sedentary lifestyle.
• Obesity and physical idleness would account mostly for 25% - 35% as a high risk leading to various types of major cancers such as colon, post menopausal breast cancer, and cancer of the esophagus.
• A regular workout gives your body a natural elation. When a body is indulged in a physical activity continuously for about 20 to 30 minutes, the body releases endorphins, a protein in the brain that acts a pain reliever. It acts as your personal ecstasy, pushing you to do exercise on a daily basis. In addition, studies show that a regular exercise may actually be used as one method of treating patients suffering from depression.

Exercise is not only for young people, but for everyone, including those with physical limitations. It improves our immune system, keeps our body healthy and alert, and most of all, it lowers the probability of acquiring fatal diseases such as cancer.

The Need for Fitness Statistics

Why exercise? Why diet? Perhaps, these are the typical questions of those who cannot find time to exercise. Maybe they are too busy with their work or something else. Normally, those at their youthful stages in life, particularly from the age bracket 18 to 30 above, think they are healthy, fit and risk free. But are they really healthy?

In advertising, the usual strategy to convince and persuade people is to provide them evidences based on careful research and thorough examination. Hospital records are good examples because they pinpoint why people are confined, rushed into the Intensive Care Unit, and or lose their lives.

Likewise, they provide the demographics in order to give us an idea of how young or old people who are prone to be brought in, and other social characteristics (race, ethnicity, sex, etc.). These data are correlated with one another in order to make a sound prediction and come up with feasible preventive measures.

Let us look into the leading cause of mortality today. These are the so-called lifestyle diseases such as heart attack, diabetes, pneumonia, and stroke, which could be minimized if only people are conscious and doing something about it.

There are many aspects or dimensions when we talk about fitness statistics. We could examine the proliferation or mushrooming of gyms and wellness centers; the increase in advertising and sales of fitness equipment; employment of physical trainers and coaches; hospital admissions and utilization of health insurance.

As a parting shot, when people say that there are 40 percent doing regular exercises every morning, does it mean the remaining percentage is likely to get sick?