Page 54 - BBC - The Scientific Guide to a Healthier You

EXERCISE

Beat brittle bones

Regular strengthening exercise helps

your muscles and your skeleton

“The aging process can take such as a hip fracture,
its toll on your bones, joints making sure you’re doing
and muscles,” explains Dr moderately intense walking
Herbert. Medical conditions for 120 to 300 minutes a
such as arthritis of the week will cut your risk.
joints and the natural Exercise has been shown
depletion of bone density to help in the prevention
put us at greater risk of of arthritis and other
serious injury if we have conditions affecting the
accidents such as falls. joints, such as gout and
But simply taking part in osteoarthritis. Research
routine bone and muscle- also shows low-impact
strengthening aerobic aerobic activity can help
exercise can slow the loss of those suffering with joint
bone density as we age. For conditions to better manage
age-related health issues, their pain.

Keep it up

Sexual function, and problems

such as impotence, may be given
a helping hand by regular workouts

Research from the US and Nigeria shows
that for men with erectile dysfunction,
aerobic exercise can provide a natural
alternative to the little blue pills.
“Certainly major components in the
causes of impotence can be physical –
with a sedentary lifestyle often cited as
a risk factor in it occurring,” explains Prof
Brewer. Psychological issues, such as low
self-esteem and high levels of stress, are
also given as reasons for impotence –
something exercise can also help.

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54 BBC SCIENCE FOCUS MAGAZINE COLLECTION