The 4 Types Of Physical Exercise To Maintain Your Health

 

Combining different types of exercise can limit the risk of injury and multiply the benefits of physical activity. A look back at 4 types of exercises to keep in shape and regain motivation. Each type of exercise is essential and brings a complete essential to maximize the benefits of the session and limit the risk of injury. 

By strengthening the muscles, for example, we protect the joints, and by working on balance, we use muscle strength and coordination to stabilize movements. It is impossible to practice these exercises when you lack flexibility, which is why it is better to vary each workout. Some sports, such as yoga, allow you to incorporate all of these exercises. Otherwise, here are other ideas to combine at will.

When we think of sport, we sometimes have extreme images that come to mind. Effort, perspiration, suffering… these negative ideas can weigh heavily on our motivation. However, activities that increase our heart rate are not the only ones that keep us in shape. Three other types of exercise are just as important: strength training, balance and stretching.

Cardiovascular exercise 

Physical activities such as running, swimming or dancing make the cardiovascular system work and thus increase our heart rate and our breathing. This type of exercise reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension and certain cancers.

Strength training

Lifting weights, doing push-ups and sit-ups, and working resistance can increase and strengthen muscle mass. Muscles burn more calories than any other organic tissue, which is why it is important to exercise when you want to lose weight and watch your diet.

The balance exercise 

By working on our balance, we help our body to maintain a good position and better control its stability. This type of exercise is especially important for the elderly, pregnant women and people who have gained weight, in order to refocus their gravity.

The stretching exercise 

Stretching exercises can be static (you strike a pose and hold it for several seconds or even minutes) or dynamic (the limbs and joints remain in motion). They help stretch the muscles and improve movement in the joints. They also reduce the risk of injury during sports or other activities.

Exercising is good for mental health too 

If everyone agrees on the importance of practicing physical activity, a recent study (March 2021) provides additional advice. This research, conducted by the University of Basel (Switzerland), focused on the importance of diversity in physical activity. The findings were published in the journal BMC Psychiatry. "Little was known about whether naturally chosen daily movement patterns also influence mental health," says Professor Andrew Gloster. 

The team collected GPS data from 106 mentally ill patients. All participants received smartphones which they took with them for a week. Using this device, the researchers tracked the movements and compared the data. The results showed that the more people moved, the more varied their movements and the greater their sense of well-being. "Our results suggest that activity alone is not enough to reduce symptoms of mental disorders but may at least improve subjective well-being," the authors note.