Does Exercise Really Matter?

Exercise is good for both body and mind. Indeed, physical activity is almost essential for good health and student success. The physical benefits of regular exercise include the following:

• Improved fitness for the whole body, not just the muscles
• Greater cardiovascular fitnessHaving a healthy heart and blood vessels. and reduced disease risk
• Increased physical endurance
• Stronger immune systemThe body system, involving many different organs and body tissues, responsible for defending the body against infection and disease., providing more resistance to disease
• Lower cholesterolA fat-like substance, made by the body and found naturally in animal foods, that when in excess levels in the body contributes to cardiovascular disease. levels, reducing the risks of cardiovascular disease
• Lowered risk of developing diabetesA disease in which the body has high levels of sugar in the blood because of an inability to manage blood glucose; diabetes is associated with a range of serious health problems.
• Weight maintenance or loss

Perhaps more important to students are the mental and psychological benefits:

• Stress reduction
• Improved mood, with less anxiety and depression
• Improved ability to focus mentally
• Better sleep
• Feeling better about oneself

For all of these reasons, it’s important for college students to regularly exercise or engage in physical activity. Like good nutrition and getting enough sleep, exercise is a key habit that contributes to overall wellnessA state of physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease. that promotes college success. First, use the Exercise and Activity Self-Assessment to consider your current habits and attitudes.

How Much Exercise and What Kind?

With aerobic exerciseBrisk physical activity that requires the heart and lungs to work harder to meet the body’s increased oxygen needs., your heart and lungs are working hard enough to improve your cardiovascular fitness. This generally means moving fast enough to increase your heart rate and breathing. For health and stress-reducing benefits, try to exercise at least three days a week for at least twenty to thirty minutes at a time. If you really enjoy exercise and are motivated, you may exercise as often as six days a week, but take at least one day of rest. When you’re first starting out, or if you’ve been inactive for a while, take it gradually, and let your body adjust between sessions. But the old expression “No pain, no gain” is not true, regardless of what some past gym teacher may have said! If you feel pain in any activity, stop or cut back. The way to build up strength and endurance is through a plan that is consistent and gradual.

For exercise to have aerobic benefits, try to keep your heart rate in the target heart rateThe level of heartbeat that gives you the best workout: about 60 to 85 percent of your maximum heart rate, which is typically calculated as 220 minus your age. zone for at least twenty to thirty minutes. The target heart rate is 60 percent to 85 percent of your maximum heart rate, which can be calculated as 220 minus your age. For example, if you are 24 years old, your maximum heart rate is calculated as 196, and your target heart rate is 118 to 166 beats per minute. If you are just starting an exercise program, stay at the lower end of this range and gradually work up over a few weeks. “Additional Resources” below includes an online calculator that estimates your target heart rate depending on your present level of fitness.

Campus Activities Can Help

Most campuses have resources to make exercise easier and more enjoyable for their students. Take a look around and think about what you might enjoy. A fitness center may offer exercise equipment. There may be regularly scheduled aerobic or spin classes. You don’t have to be an athlete to enjoy casual sports such as playing tennis or shooting hoops with a friend. If you like more organized team sports, try intramural sports.