Final answer:
True, physical activities contribute significantly to health-related fitness by enhancing various aspects of both physical and mental well-being, reducing disease risks, and increasing life expectancy and quality of life.
Step-by-step explanation:
True, participating in physical activities can indeed improve health-related fitness. Increased physical activity leads to numerous health benefits such as enhanced cardiovascular and muscular fitness, heightened bone density and strength, as well as cognitive function improvements. These changes are mediated through various mechanisms, including hormonal changes due to contracting muscles during exercise.
Regular physical exercise is also associated with stress reduction, improved body image, and elevated self-esteem. Additionally, it can reduce the risk of several diseases including cardiovascular diseases, certain types of cancer, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. Furthermore, maintaining a healthy level of physical activity has been shown to increase life expectancy and quality of life.
Physical exercise is not just beneficial for physical health but also has substantial mental health benefits, like the reduction of stress and promotion of psychological well-being. A sedentary lifestyle, in contrast, is associated with increased health risks, including anxiety and cardiovascular disease.