Final answer:
Physical exercise includes any activity that maintains or improves health and fitness. It provides numerous benefits, such as reducing the risk of chronic diseases including diabetes, certain cancers, and cardiovascular challenges and improving mental health. Recommended exercise guidance involves 150-300 minutes of moderate aerobic activity weekly, and muscle-strengthening activities twice per week.
Step-by-step explanation:
Physical exercise is any bodily activity that enhances or maintains physical fitness and overall health and wellness, including activities often not considered exercise like household chores. Regular physical activity has myriad health benefits, such as improving cardiovascular and muscular fitness, increasing bone density and strength, enhancing cognitive function, aiding in weight management, and potentially reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, and cardiovascular disease.
Evidence suggests that moderate exercise can boost the immune system, for instance by decreasing the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections. Furthermore, physical exercise is associated with a decrease in mortality related to cardiovascular diseases and certain cancers, such as breast and colon cancer. It plays a role in the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes and obesity as well.
Beyond these physical health benefits, exercise has positive effects on mental health, including protection from dementia, reduction in stress levels, an improved body image, and better self-esteem. It can be as effective as certain pharmaceuticals in treating mild-to-moderate depression. Conversely, living a sedentary lifestyle can increase the risk of anxiety.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that adults do at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week, along with muscle-strengthening activities at least twice a week, to reap significant health benefits.