Exercise is Medicine
Exercise has many benefits. It can help reduce pain, reduce the risk of heart disease and some cancers; strengthen bones and muscles; improve balance and flexibility; help manage blood sugar levels; help with weight control; improve sleep, mood, cognition and energy levels; and boost the immune system.
How Exercise Helps Chronic Conditions
Cancers
As well as reducing the risk of some cancers, exercise has been shown to improve quality of life before, during and after cancer treatment. It improves the effectiveness of cancer treatment, reduces fatigue and improves mental health. It also reduces the risk of cancer recurrence. The Clinical Oncology Society of Australia recommends exercise as an adjunct therapy for everyone with cancer.​
Cerebral
Palsy
Exercise improves mobility, flexibility and strength to enhance quality of life in those with cerebral palsy. Regular exercise also boosts cardiovascular health, helps with weight management and reduces the risk of conditions associated with sedentary living.
Diabetes
Aerobic exercise increases glucose uptake and reduces blood glucose levels; and strength training, resulting in an increase in muscle mass, can increase the body's ability to uptake glucose. For those at risk of Type 2 Diabetes, regular exercise can prevent or delay the onset of the disease; for those already diagnosed, it can help manage blood glucose levels and reduce drug dependence.
Heart
Disease
Exercise reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke by strengthening the heart muscle and improving cardiovascular function, lowering blood pressure and improving cholesterol levels. Exercise can be prescribed at an appropriate intensity to induce improvements in cardiovascular function and tailored to the capability of each individual.
Multiple
Sclerosis
Embarking on an exercise program, or continuing to exercise soon after diagnosis maintains one's quality of life for longer. Exercise also reduces fatigue in MS, improves cardiorespiratory fitness and can improve motor control and balance.
Osteoarthritis
Regular exercise increases joint mobility and targeted strength exercises can strengthen the muscles around affected joints, providing more joint support, which reduces pain. It is also important for those with osteoarthritis to keep physically active in order to reduce the risk of conditions associated with a sedentary lifestyle.
Osteoporosis
Bone density can be improved with targeted resistance exercises. Balance exercises are also incorporated into an exercise program for those with osteoporosis, to reduce the likelihood of a fall and potential bone fracture.
Parkinson's
Disease
Evidence shows that exercise slows the progression of PD, especially when implemented early after diagnosis. Exercise also improves mood, mobility, balance and coordination in PD and protects against conditions associated with a sedentary lifestyle.
Respiratory
Disease
Exercise increases cardiorespiratory fitness by stimulating muscles to become more efficient at using oxygen. This means that activities require less oxygen as cardiorespiratory fitness improves, reducing the amount of breathlessness per task.
Rheumatoid
Arthritis
Physical activity is important in rheumatoid arthritis to keep joints moving and maintain mobility. Aerobic exercise combats the increased risk of heart disease associated with rheumatoid arthritis; and targeted strength exercises increase support around the affected joints to reduce pain, as well as reduce the risk of osteoporosis associated with rheumatoid arthritis.
Falls Prevention
Fall prevention programs can significantly reduce the risk of falls,
helping seniors to avoid injury and maintain their independence. Evidence-based designed exercise programs have been shown to increase confidence and walking ability and reduce falls by 35%. With falls being the greatest cause of accidental death in those aged over 65, the investment in a falls prevention program
can help seniors maintain an active, fulfilling life.