Physical exercise is one of the healthiest habits a human being can have , and there are many studies that confirm this. And the fact is that practising sport provides many benefits for general health: it improves mood, reduces stress, improves the quality of sleep…

If you are one of those people who likes to exercise regularly and you are used to exercising every day, you should know that you are also doing your body a great favor, since this practice helps to prevent diseases. On the other hand, if you don’t like to wear your tracksuit very much, your health can suffer the negative consequences of your sedentary lifestyle.

Diseases that can be prevented by physical exercise

But, what kind of diseases can we prevent with the practice of regular exercise?

Below is a list of 16 diseases you can get rid of if you have an active lifestyle.

1. High blood pressure

Much research has been done to try to find out what the benefits of aerobic training are. Running, swimming or cycling have been shown to be very effective in controlling blood pressure . In addition, if we combine this type of exercise with a healthy diet, our bodies will thank us.

2. Heart disease

Another benefit often associated with aerobic training is that this training system prevents heart disease (such as myocardial infarction, arrhythmias, etc.) and heart problems, in addition to the aforementioned hypertension. Moderate aerobic training is sufficient to improve our health.

3. Overweight and obesity

Overweight and obesity have become a serious public health problem in recent years. The sedentary lifestyle and poor diet of a large part of the population in industrialised societies are some of the causative factors.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) there are 1.9 billion overweight adults in the world, of which more than 600 million are obese. Planned training can be key to reducing this disease. But always accompanied by a healthy diet.

4. Type II diabetes

Diabetes is a disease with a high prevalence worldwide, and is characterized by a series of metabolic disorders that increase the level of glucose in the blood (hyperglycemia). Recent research shows that physical exercise reduces the risk of suffering from it by 42%. Among other benefits, physical training improves the body’s ability to use insulin.

5. Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease of the bones that causes a decrease in bone mass density. Physical exercise is key to a strong skeleton. Strength training improves bone density and prevents bone deterioration. Not only that, but reduces fractures by 17% .

6. Stress

Stress, together with obesity, is also one of the epidemics of the last century , which often has its origin in the lifestyle of Western societies. According to science, physical exercise can be effective not only in preventing it but also in reducing it, since it decreases the levels of one of the hormones related to this condition: cortisol.

  • You can find out more about this hormone in our article: “Cortisol: the hormone that generates stress”

7. High cholesterol

High cholesterol is associated with multiple diseases. Studies show that both cardiovascular exercise and strength training are beneficial in reducing it. Both a healthy diet and physical exercise lower bad cholesterol and increase levels of good or HDL cholesterol.

8. Eye diseases

Eye diseases can also be prevented by physical training . According to a study by the Investigative Ophtalmology & Visual Science , frequent running can decrease the risk of macular degeneration by 19%.

9. Arthritis

Moderate resistance training that focuses on a full range of motion is an effective way to prevent and reduce arthritis because it helps strengthen the muscles surrounding the joints.

10. Alzheimer’s

One of the psychological benefits of exercise is that it improves memory and helps prevent Alzheimer’s. Physical activity between the ages of 25 and 45 increases brain chemicals that prevent the degeneration of hippocampal neurons.

11. Depression

Depression is a mental illness that can be serious and may need psychological treatment. But there are different types of depression, some of which are less severe. Physical exercise can be effective in reducing less severe depression by helping to release mood-related chemicals in the brain (for example, serotonin or endorphins). It also improves self-esteem.

12. Fibromyalgia

Physical exercise helps prevent the worsening of fibromyalgia and works very well for pain management. Especially moderate resistance training such as Tai Chi or Pilates.

13. Cancer

Cancer is a serious disease that can be prevented by following a series of healthy habits, including the practice of physical exercise. According to research by Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise , women who exercise moderately for 2.5 hours a week are less likely to develop breast cancer.

14. Anxiety

Anxiety is another psychological disorder that can be prevented by physical training. It also reduces symptoms in less severe cases, because the neurotransmitters released during and after exercise can help people suffering from anxiety to calm down.

15. Colds and the Flu

Physical exercise has also been shown to be very effective in strengthening the immune system , which helps you suffer less from colds and even less from flu processes.