Physical Activity

Physical Activity Articles

Working out while angry? Just don’t do it

Anger or emotional upset may double the risk of having a heart attack. Heavy physical exertion appears to have the same effect. And people who do intense exercise while they’re upset or mad may face three times the risk of heart attack.  More »

Yes, you can stick to an exercise regimen!

Staying on an exercise regimen can be challenging, but some strategies may help people to stick to the program. Strategies include doing an enjoyable activity, setting goals and rewards, scheduling exercise in a written plan, gradually increasing intensity, exercising with a buddy, charting progress in a journal or with an activity tracker, making exercise more challenging by changing the frequency or duration, and getting back to a normal exercise routine if it falls by the wayside. (Locked) More »

It's never too late to start exercising!

The older people get in the United States, the less active they are. But it’s never too late to become physically active, and evidence shows that changing from being inactive to active benefits health. More »

Stretching: The new mobility protection

Stretching keeps muscles long and flexible. That increases range of motion, reduces the risk for muscle and joint injury, reduces joint and back pain, improves balance, reduces the risk of falling, and improves posture. An overall stretching program will focus on the calves, the hamstrings, the hip flexors in the pelvis, quadriceps in the front of the thigh, and the muscles of the shoulders, neck, and lower back. It’s best to stretch every day or at least three or four times per week. More »

To keep your heart working well, stay active as you age

As people grow older, their hearts tend to become thicker and stiffer and not pump as effectively. But those who stay physically active as they move from middle age into their 70s may be less likely to develop age-related declines in heart function. More »