Exercise is more than just improving physical fitness. It reduces the risk of various diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. It also helps relieve stress, promotes better sleep, and improves mental health.

Experts say, "Since exercise has a significant impact on us, it is important to exercise regardless of age," and "Exercising throughout life is the most reliable way to live a healthy, long life and lead a successful life."

However, people who usually stay away from exercise often do not know what kind of exercise and at what intensity they should do. Experts say, "Even if you don't exercise like athletes, just doing light exercises that are easy for the general public can help maintain health and prevent various diseases."

 

Walking, dancing, cycling on flat ground, and gardening are representative examples of light exercise. Based on information from UPI News and American broadcaster Fox News, we looked into three research findings that reveal the health benefits of light exercise.

You should exercise even if you have arthritis.

 

The first is that light exercise is good for relieving arthritis. According to a research team at the University of North Carolina in the United States, arthritis patients who regularly engaged in light joint exercises experienced a reduction in arthritis pain.

The research team studied the correlation between an arthritis exercise program and arthritis treatment over 8 weeks in 346 arthritis patients with an average age of 70. As a result, arthritis patients who completed the exercise program experienced reduced pain, and the therapeutic effects persisted for six months even without further exercise.

 

The research team randomly divided the study participants into two groups: one group was instructed to follow an arthritis exercise program twice a week for one hour each session, while the other group was not given any exercise program and was asked to continue their usual activities. The arthritis exercise program consisted of stretching methods that could strengthen muscles without putting strain on the joints.

Sitting on the floor with legs straight and repeatedly tightening and relaxing the knees can strengthen muscles. The group participating in the arthritis exercise program stretched their arms and legs in this manner for 8 weeks.

As a result, the group that participated in the arthritis exercise program experienced relief from arthritis pain and an increased effectiveness of arthritis treatment compared to other groups. According to the study, arthritis patients who completed an 8-week arthritis exercise program maintained these effects for six months even without engaging in additional exercise after the program ended.

Experts say, "As you age, cartilage and joints wear down, leading to osteoarthritis," and recommend, "To prevent joints from stiffening due to long-standing arthritis, it is good to repeat the movement of applying and releasing force on each joint for more than 10 seconds, twice a day in the morning and evening, 10 to 15 times."

 

Lower intensity exercise alone reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease

 

The second study suggests that even light exercise of low intensity is sufficient to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. According to a research team from Montreal University in Canada, light exercise at a intensity 20% lower than the average exercise recommended for healthy individuals is enough to effectively prevent heart disease.

 

 

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Intense exercise isn't the only way to achieve good workout results.

Is a light walk also called bodyweight exercises?

 

It is effective for cardiovascular diseases.