Page 200 - Mind Games The Aging Brain and How to Keep it Healthy

184 • Chapter 6

• Burns calories
• Maintains

Muscular strength
Joint structure
Joint function

• Improves
Balance
Posture
The condition of the heart
The condition of the lungs
The condition of the blood vessels
• Reduces

Risk of falling
Rate of bone loss in women with osteoporosis
Risk of having a heart attack
Blood pressure in people with hypertension
Risk of developing non—insulin dependent diabetes
Risk of developing colon cancer
Depression
Anxiety
• Prevents or delays high blood pressure

• Prevents or relieves constipation
• May improve body-fat distribution
• May help rebuild bone density
• May reduce the rate of bone calcium loss in post-
menopausal women who don’t take estrogen

The Surgeon General’s Report — Conclusions

• Inactive people can improve their health and well-being
by becoming moderately active on a regular basis.
• Physical activity need not be strenuous to achieve
health benefits.