Guest Author - Denise Howard, M.D., M.P.H.

Regular exercise is essential to achieve and maintain physical fitness and weight control. There are however many other potential health benefits of regular exercise. This is especially important in perimenopausal, menopausal and post-menopausal women. The risk of developing chronic illnesses, disability and cancer increases with age. Some of these benefits are listed below.

1. Cardiovascular benefits
• Improves the strength of the heart allowing it to utilize oxygen more efficiently and thereby decreasing the risk of heart attack
• Lowers the blood pressure
• Slows and maybe even reverses the process of artery hardening thereby reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke

2. Control of chronic illnesses
• Improves glucose(sugar) control thereby preventing Type 2 Diabetes or allowing those who are being treated to stop their diabetic medications
• Lowers blood pressure, preventing the development of Hypertension (high blood pressure) and even allowing some to stop their blood pressure medication
• Lowers cholesterol, allowing some to stop their medication. This decreases the risk of heart attack and stroke

3. Musculoskeletal Benefits
• Increases muscle strength and improves coordination, decreasing the chance of serious falls that might cause injury
• Improves bone density, decreasing the risk of Osteoporosis and fractures
• Improves daily functioning

4. Weight Control
• Calories burned during exercise can result in weight loss
• Increases metabolism, resulting in more calories being burned throughout the day

5. Mental Benefits
• Improved cognition, including memory
• Less chance of developing depression
• Improved sense of well being
• Less hot flashes, mood swings and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) complaints

6. Other Benefits
• Decreased risk of cancer
• Improved outcome in those with cancer

Regular exercise imparts many health benefits. An exercise program should be a balanced one including aerobic conditioning, strength and flexibility training. Regular exercise should become a consistent part of daily life. This is necessary in order to take advantage of the many health benefits mentioned above.