Any type of physical activity usually responds to the intrinsic motivations of those who practice it, in addition to promoting interpersonal relationships, amongst others.
Sedentary brings the risk of illnesses, such as obesity, hypertension, high cholesterol and unhealthy habits, such as alcohol and tobacco consumption, which can all lead to heart attacks and strokes. We must remember that a lot of people dies due to sedentary lifestyle.
We can say that a healthy lifestyle is everyone´s desire and that´s the way we want to live and phsyical activity can help us to achieve this. Regular physical activity promotes good feelings, increases body temperature which reduces muscle tension, and promotes relaxation, regulates biorhthms, and improves sleep, has antidepressant and tranquilising effects, brings feelings of wellbeing, eliminates stress, and helps to gain increased autonomy and self-confidence.
There are many activities that we can practise in the natural environment such as rock climbing, rappelling, hayaking or paragliding, amongst many others.
Physical exercise promotes health, and must therefore be integrated into the scheme of life, mor as a habit, without becoming a sacrifice or obligation, but rather lead to an entertanining and more rewarding experience.
Gymnastics.- its a form of physical exercise characterised by activities and systematic exercises which pursue specific therapeutic, educational and competitive purpose.
Sports.- it is any physical activity that has a competitive purpose and is subject to fixed rules. Different outdoor recreational activities such as mountain climbing and diving are also included in this category.
Physical Education.- it is the discipline that deals with the teaching and learning of the different fields of physical activity. Its purpose is to promote the development of the body and spread the benefits derived from its practice.
Physical exercise and health
The human body is designed to move and a sedentary life usually leads to diseases and even premature death.
There are many health benefits in performing regular physical activity and its impact can be seen at many levels:
- Cardiac.- reduces the risk of coronary heart disease, because it increases the size of the heart and reduces heart rate so that the organ gets less tired.
- Vascular.- the number of red blood cells, leukocytes and lymphocytes, increases and improves blood circulation and elasticity of the arteries.
- Respiratory: increases lung capacity and decreases the number of breaths per minute.
- Muscular: muscles gain strength and endurance, increase in size and elasticity and improve motor coordination.
- When we perform physical exercises, our bodies release endorphins, substances responsible for the sensation of pleasure and well-being achieved after the activity.
- Bone: increases bone density, vascularization and bone mineral retention.
- Articular: strengthens the elements constituting the joints, that is, cartilage, ligaments...
- Metabolic: increases the level of good cholesterol and lowers that of bad cholesterol, maintains glucose at adequate levels and facilitates the removal of toxins.
- Mental: brings a sense of general well-being, improves mood and emotions and increaes self-image, reduces anxity and stress, helps to fight depression and reduces the risk ot its appearance.
- Other benefits: in addition to he above, physical exercise reduces the risk of some cancers and diabetes, helps to control obesity and excess weight, increases stamina to perform physical tasks...
