Exercise Right, a campaign the Exercise & Sports Science Australia created, explains that exercise and physical activity are important for men. As both play a vital role in achieving a healthier, happier, and longer life. It also lists the many benefits of exercise to men’s health on its website. Do you want to learn which physical activities help attain these? Read further and let’s find out how we may improve our health.
What Are the Exercises that Help Improve the Men’s Fitness?
Exercise Right recommends doing the following vigorous intense exercises.
- Jogging
- Aerobics
- Fast cycling
- Playing soccer or football
The website suggests spending a total of 1.25 to 2.5 hours on the above exercises every day or every week.
What Are the Physical Activities that Help Improve the Men’s Fitness?
Exercise Right also lists the following moderate-intensity physical activities you may incorporate.
- Brisk walk
- Golf
- Mowing the lawn
- Swimming
The same resource explains that it is ideal to spend 2.5 to 5 hours on the above.
What are the Benefits of Exercise and Physical Activity to the Men’s Fitness?
Exercise Right explains that being active benefits the quality and length of life. It also lists the following benefits of exercise for men’s health.
- Reduced risk of diabetes
- Lower levels of cholesterol
- Lower chances of depression and anxiety
- Decreased risk of high blood pressure
- Blood vessels become healthier
- Weight decreases
- Testosterone levels improve as you get older
- Lower chances of getting cancerÂ
Exercise Right also refers to statistics showing that unfortunately, many men in Australia do not enjoy the above benefits.
How is the Fitness of Men in Australia?
Exercise Right links to the 2017-2018 report of The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) showing the following details. AIHW is an independent statutory Australian Government agency that produces authoritative and accessible information and statistics.
- 1 in 2 men was sufficiently physically active
- 1 in 4 performed strength on two or more days
It also mentions the reasons why there is a low rate of physical fitness in men.
Why Are Men Refraining from Doing Exercise or Physical Activity?
The website lists the following reasons why men are not physically active.
- Insufficient time due to work and family commitments
- Lack of interest
- Age
It also mentions that an ongoing injury or illness prevents men from doing any exercise.
What are the Risks of Not Doing Exercise or Physical Activity?
AIHW explains that low levels of physical activity cause a greater risk in the following conditions.
- Cardiovascular disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- Osteoporosis
The government agency also provides information on men’s health showing how this gender category experiences more health issues than the females.
How is the Health of Australian Men?
AIHW provides the following information on the health of the country’s men.
- Almost three-quarters (69%) experienced the total burden from injuries
- A greater proportion of cardiovascular diseases (59%)
- Nearly half (46%) of the total burden of disease is from cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and mental and substance use disorders
- 1 in 2 is estimated to have one or more of the 10 selected common chronic conditions
- Leukaemia and testicular cancer were the most common cancers
- Almost 1 in 2 went through a mental health problem in their lifetime
AIHW also reports that most of these cause the death of most men in Australia.
What are the Leading Causes of Death for Men in Australia?
AIHW lists the following top 5 causes of men’s death in Australia for the year 2017.
- Coronary heart disease
- Lung cancer
- Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease
- Cerebrovascular Disease
- Prostate Cancer
As mentioned above, exercise and physical activity help improve men’s health in general. It’s also ideal to know the signs and symptoms of the above so you are able to respond properly in times of emergency.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of the Men’s Common Health Problems?
Healthdirect, a website the government supports, lists the following signs and symptoms you may want to watch out for. Know about these so you may apply for a first aid response immediately.
- Coronary heart disease
- Chest pain
- Heart attack
- Nausea
- Lung cancer
- Breathlessness
- Persistent cough
- Chest pain
- Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease
- Problems in doing daily tasks
- An issue with speaking and writing
- Confusion about time and place
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Losing interest in your hobbies
- Repeating yourself more
- Difficulty in managing your money
- Cerebrovascular Disease
- Weakness
- Loss of sensation and/or vision
- Dizziness
- Prostate Cancer
- Problems with urination
- Pain in the lower back
A doctor’s checkup helps assess if you have the above conditions while a heart attack may need an immediate response. It’s a life-saving skill that you will learn from CPR training.
Who Provides a CPR Training?
CPR First Aid (RTO NO 21903) is approved to deliver pieces training throughout Australia. It has a free online CPR course on its website and conducts affordable in-person training in its multiple centres.
Where Do You Attend a CPR Training?
If you are curious about what you will learn with CPR training, completing the online course at home may help. The in-person classes are delivered at Woodcroft Morphett Vale Community Centre 175 Bains Rd, Morphett Vale. It’s one of the training centres of CPR First Aid (RTO NO 21903).
How Can Men Start Doing Exercise and Physical Activity for Improved Fitness and Health?
Better Health Channel, a website of the Victorian government, suggests doing the following to start your fitness journey.
- Think about the types of physical activity that seem interesting for you to do
- Find a schedule in your daily routine to insert an exercise time
- Set realistic goals
- Track your improvements
- Document how your health improves over time
- See a doctor for referral, check-up, and support
The same source also suggests inserting incidental physical movements into your routine such as walking, taking the stairs, and doing chores.
Conclusion
Exercise and physical activity are very important for better fitness and health of men. There are many incidental and planned movements that are interesting and realistic for you to do. Adding these to your daily routine may help improve and lengthen your life. It may also help prevent the risks that cause danger to the man’s life which may start with signs and symptoms. Knowledge of first aid and a doctor’s checkup helps with the response, assessment, and treatment for these. But, if you want to avoid experiencing any problems with your health and fitness, you may start adding movements to your schedule. Track your progress and see how it improves your life in general.
