What is exercise and what does it mean? Exercise is anything that gets you moving and active. It includes formal exercise such as a gym class, lifting weights or going for a jog. Exercise also occurs in everyday activities (known as incidental exercise) such as vacuuming, taking the stairs instead of the lift and walking or riding to work or school.

Why exercise? The benefits of exercise in maintaining our health and preventing disease are well established. They include:

• Exercises produces a feeling of well-being by releasing the neurotransmitters, serotonin and dopamine, which contribute to feelings of euphoria and peace. These neurotransmitters also help increase brain function while performing mental tasks. Many doctors prescribe exercise in place of antidepressants for patients who suffer from depression.
• Maintaining our hearts ability to pump blood around our body
• Building and maintaining muscle and bone strength
• Exercise can reverse the effects of aging by slowing the deterioration of muscle, brain and nerve functions. Exercise has been proven effective in slowing the rate of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
• Weight loss. Combining an exercise program with proper nutrition is essential to losing weight and keeping it off.

Please call your Physiotherapist at a2z Health Group on (03) 9798 4081 or visit our clinics in Dandenong & Noble Park and Brighton Physiotherapy for more information.