Faithfully adhering to an exercise regimen may pose as a challenge to busy college students who rarely get thirty minutes of aerobic exercise five times a week, as advised by the American Council of Exercise.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also recommends thirty minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week to maintain good health and sixty minutes to achieve significant weight loss.
Exercise gives me energy and increases my productivity, so I lift weights approximately three times a week for about an hour a day in addition to a regular aerobic workout,” said David Casey, a junior pre-medical student from Opelousas and president of the Minority Association for Pre-Health Students.
“Physical fitness is essential to good health and awareness should be more widely promoted, especially among African-Americans, who suffer greatly from obesity-induced diseases like hypertension, Type II diabetes and some forms of cancer.”
A study conducted by the CDC released in December revealed significant relationships between obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, asthma, and arthritis due to a sedentary lifestyle.
The study also showed that African Americans had the highest rates of both diabetes and obesity-31% of blacks are overweight- compared with other ethnic groups.
Physical activity not only maintains good health but also achieves significant weight loss. Intensive workouts like aerobics burn more calories than weight training, but the muscle gained from lifting weights requires more energy to function than fat does. Consequently, more muscle burns more calories.
Both cardiovascular exercise and strength training are beneficial and effective. Cardio exercise burns more calories, strengthens the heart, and reduces cholesterol.
Strength training prevents osteoporosis, improves athleticism, increases muscle mass and burns more fat.
