Regular physical activity helps prevent high blood pressure and helps reduce blood pressure in persons with elevated levels. Increases lean muscle and helps decrease body fat. Aids in weight control and is a key part of any weight loss effort. Enhances psychological well-being and may even reduce the risk of developing depression. In addition, children and adolescents need weight-bearing exercise for normal skeletal development, and young adults need such exercise to achieve and maintain peak bone mass.
Older adults can improve and maintain strength and agility with regular physical activity.
This can reduce the risk of falling, helping older adults maintain an independent living status. Regular physical activity also increases the ability of people with certain chronic, disabling conditions to perform activities of daily living. Women generally are less active than men at all ages. People with lower incomes and less education are typically not as physically active as those with higher incomes and education. African Americans and Hispanics are generally less physically active than whites.