How Exercise Makes You Feel, Rather Than Look, Is What Matters

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How Exercise Makes You Feel, Rather Than Look, Is What Matters

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=66464

Shifting the focus from how exercise may make you look to how it

makes you feel may help people start, maintain or even appreciate an

exercise program, said R. Bracko, Ed.D., FACSM, in a

presentation today at the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)

11th-annual Health & Fitness Summit & Exposition in Dallas, Texas.

Bracko says the psychological benefits of exercise are as important,

if not more so, than the physical benefits.

" The physical needs and outcomes of exercise, whether it's to lose

weight, tone muscle, or address obesity dominates what we hear

about, but lots of people who exercise don't see stark physical

benefits, " said Bracko. " The message needs to be rewritten. When you

exercise you're going to feel better. You'll feel less stress and

more relaxed, you'll sleep better, and you'll likely be more

confident. "

Bracko points to studies that have shown physical activity and

exercise reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety and improve

mood. Stress can also be mediated with exercise. Heart rate, blood

pressure and cortisol levels, all of which are raised under stress,

can be decreased with exercise.

Research has also shown positive psychological effects of exercise

are experienced across the lifespan, by children, adults and older

adults.

A study published last year by ACSM linked vigorous physical

activity in kids to better grades in school. Bracko noted this

research shows the most active kids achieve a psychological benefit

through improved academic performance. Other research found kids who

are active are less likely to engage in negative social behaviors,

like premarital sex, smoking, or substance abuse.

For older adults especially, Bracko says the psychological benefit

of exercise is self-efficacy. " Exercise is a self-fulfilling

prophecy for all ages, but particularly for older adults, " he

said. " Improving the feeling that they can exercise by doing so

creates confidence in being active. One of the biggest reasons

people don't exercise is because they believe they physically cannot

exercise. " Some studies, says Bracko, suggest older adults who

maintain fitness are less likely to experience dementia or suffer

from symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease.

Bracko recommends certified health and fitness professionals work

with their clients to focus on the psychological benefits of

exercise. " If someone is having motivational issues with exercise

because they are trying to spot reduce their midsection, ask them if

they feel better, sleep better or have more energy during the day.

They probably have neglected to look at those positive outcomes

because they're focused on their belly. "