The Role of Physical Activity in Disease Prevention

Physical activity plays a vital role in preventing a wide range of diseases and is a cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle. At NMPC, we deeply care about your well-being, which is why we’re committed to sharing valuable insights on how staying active can help safeguard your health and enhance your quality of life 

Taking more steps, a day also helps lower the risk of premature death from all causes. In one study, for adults younger than 60, the risk of premature death leveled off at about 8,000 to 10,000 steps per day. For adults 60 and older, the risk of premature death leveled off at about 6,000 to 8,000 steps per day. 

Manage chronic health conditions & disabilities. 

Regular physical activity can help people manage existing chronic conditions and disabilities. For example, regular physical activity can: 

• Reduce pain and improve function, mood, and quality of life for adults with arthritis. 

• Help control blood sugar levels and lower risk of heart disease and nerve damage for people with type 2 diabetes. 

Perform daily activities and prevent falls: 

Everyday activities include climbing stairs, grocery shopping, or cleaning the house. Being unable to perform everyday activities is called functional limitation. Physically active middle-aged or older adults have a lower risk of functional limitations than people who are inactive. 

For older adults, doing a variety of physical activities improves physical function and decreases the risk of falls or injury from a fall. Older adults need to include aerobic, muscle strengthening, and balance activities in their physical activity routines. This multicomponent physical activity can be done at home or in a community setting as part of a structured program. 

Hip fracture is a serious health condition that can result from a fall. Breaking a hip can have life-changing negative effects, especially if you’re an older adult. Physically active people have a lower risk of hip fracture than inactive people. 

We have all heard it many times before — regular exercise is good for you, and it can help you manage your weight. But if you are like many Americans, you are busy, you sit most of the day at your job, and you haven’t yet changed your exercise habits. The good news is that it’s never too late to start. You can start slowly and find ways to fit more physical activity into your life. To get the most benefit, you should try to get the recommended amount of physical activity for your age. If you can do that, the payoff is that you will feel better, may help prevent or control many diseases, and will likely even live longer.