Final answer:
Vascular peripheral resistance directly affects blood pressure, with increased resistance potentially leading to hypertension, thereby negatively impacting physical health.
Step-by-step explanation:
The effect of vascular peripheral resistance on physical health is significant. Specifically, increased peripheral resistance typically leads to an increase in blood pressure, which if persistent, can result in hypertension. Hypertension is a known risk factor for various cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks and strokes. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is C: Increased risk of hypertension.
Regular physical exercise has numerous benefits, including improving cardiovascular and muscular fitness, aiding in weight management, and improving cognitive function. It can also reduce blood pressure and the rate of plaque formation in arteries, which directly impacts vascular peripheral resistance. Moderate exercise is very beneficial to cardiovascular health and can decrease the likelihood of developing hypertension.