Student Health Services

Exercise & Physical Fitness

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/exerciseandphysicalfitness.html

Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health. It can help

• Control your weight
• Lower your risk of heart disease
• Lower your risk for type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome
• Lower your risk of some cancers
• Strengthen your bones and muscles
• Improve your mental health and mood
• Improve your ability to do daily activities and prevent falls, if you're an older adult
• Increase your chances of living longer

Fitting regular exercise into your daily schedule may seem difficult at first. But even ten minutes at a time is fine. The key is to find the right exercise for you. It should be fun and should match your abilities.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Start Here

• Be Active Your Way: A Guide for Adults
  (Department of Health and Human Services) - PDF
• Physical Activity for Everyone
  (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
  Also available in Spanish
• Tips to Help You Get Active
  NIH (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)

Overviews

• Get Active
  Easy-to-Read (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion)
• Walking: A Step in the Right Direction
  NIH (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
  Also available in Spanish
• Warm Up, Cool Down and Be Flexible
  (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons)
• Active at Any Size From the National Institutes of Health
  NIH (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
• Target Heart Rates
  (American Heart Association)
• Measuring Physical Activity Intensity
  (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)