Effects of physical activity on the body 

Once in the background, today it is considered a basic, integral component of healthy nutrition and lifestyle. There are dozens of reasons why we reach for it. A part of us, to have a beautiful body so much created by our culture; Some to relieve the stress of everyday life, others to do something for themselves. Do you know what I’m talking about? Yes, it’s all about physical activity. In this article, you will learn what benefits it brings to the body and mind and why without it it is difficult to talk about full health, including our psyche. Descartes and his dualism are long gone, and it has been known for a long time that our body and soul are not two separate entities, but one.

What is physical activity and why is it so important?

The classical definition defines it as any bodily movement necessary for daily life or an exercise program. This concept can be understood broadly – as professional sports, recreational physical activity, activity at home (household chores, e.g. cleaning), as well as that related to transport, i.e. movement. From a physiological point of view, physical activity is simply physical exertion, which is characterized by the work of skeletal muscles along with a set of functional changes occurring in the body. Drabik (1996) states that without it, there can be no strategy for maintaining and improving health, and in the case of children – even proper development. Our bodies were simply made to move, so regular physical activity is essential to function optimally and avoid disease.

Previous research on the importance of physical activity in human life and health has yielded many interesting findings. By undertaking recreational physical activity, we can compensate for the lack of exercise, reduce reactivity to stress and mental overload, prevent various ailments and diseases, regenerate mental and physical strength, shape the body and character, and additionally develop hobbies, integrate socially, or spend free time actively. Its role is extremely important in the prevention of civilization diseases. It is indicated that the lack of regular exercise is the cause of the development of at least 20 chronic diseases. Lack of exercise or its insufficient amount is considered to be the source of the obesity epidemic, one of the causes of ischemic heart diseases or cancer. In the WHO European Region, one million deaths per year are linked to physical inactivity. It is the fourth risk factor for death. It is impossible to be indifferent to these reports, which is why it is worth taking a closer look at its impact on human functioning.

How does it affect the body?

Already in times as distant as antiquity, the therapeutic effect of physical activity on the human body was noticed. Claudius Galenus, a physician from Rome who classified such concepts as scoliosis, lordosis and kyphosis, proved that performing physical exercise has an impact on the development of the body. Through systematic physical effort, adaptive changes in the body occur. Of course, they depend on the type of activity you undertake, as well as its intensity. From a physiological point of view, aerobic exercise, or simply aerobic exercise, leads to the most beneficial changes. It is one during which we are able to talk and our maximum heart rate is at 65-70 percent of its value. These include: walking, running, cycling, rollerblading, skating, skiing, jumping rope and all exercises for the development of specific muscle groups or weight lifting. We have a lot of choice and moderate intensity. So what exactly are the changes that take place in our body under its influence? According to Górski, physical activity accelerates the conversion of cartilage tissue into bone tissue, thus supporting the growth process. It becomes more stable and more resistant to injury. It can even cause a change in its structure – length, shape, width, and thus – it protects us from osteoporosis. The workout improves neuromuscular coordination, which results in better speed and accuracy of the movements performed. It also strengthens the strength of the muscles, mainly those responsible for the correct posture. When the circulatory and respiratory systems are affected, an increased rate of heart contractions is observed to meet the increased demand for oxygen, which directly reduces the risk of cardiac hypoxia in various activities of daily life. This is of great importance in the treatment and prevention of ischaemic heart disease. Systematic physical exercise causes an increase in the concentration of HDL cholesterol, which protects the body against atherosclerotic processes, and also reduces the concentration of LDL cholesterol, commonly known as „bad cholesterol”. Its significant impact can be seen in the endocrine system – it reduces the exercise activation of the sympathetic-adrenal system, which is confirmed by a decrease in the secretion of adrenaline and noradrenaline during exercise.

In addition, by reducing insulin secretion by the pancreas, it improves glucose tolerance by the body. This is important in the case of people with diabetes, as it reduces the need for insulin delivered by injection, and in obese people it reduces the likelihood of hypertension, diabetes and alleviates metabolic disorders. Moderate exercise brings benefits in the form of better immunity, which is especially important in the autumn and winter season. An insufficient one does not cause any changes, but what is important – an excessive one causes a decrease in the immune response, which results in overloading the body. There was also a direct relationship between physical activity and life expectancy. People who spend their time actively can enjoy a longer and better quality of life.