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Conditions

Athletic performance

BACKGROUND

Athletic performance, also called exercise performance, describes an individual's ability to use various muscles to stay physically fit.
Exercise is any form of physical activity that helps to promote overall health. Most movement of the body is considered beneficial, as long as it is done in moderation and at the skill level of the person. There are many ways for people to exercise including gardening, walking, sports activities, and dancing.
An individual's athletic performance can be measured in terms of cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, and exercise capacity.
Cardiovascular endurance refers to the body's ability to efficiently use oxygen during aerobic activities such as jogging or biking. Individuals who have strong cardiovascular endurance have strong hearts and lungs. Their hearts are able to efficiently pump oxygen to the body's muscles.
Muscle strength refers to the amount of physical force an individual can exert at one time. This can be determined by how much weight a person can lift using certain muscles.
Exercise capacity, also called physical endurance, is the amount of uninterrupted physical exercise an individual can sustain.
Individuals in poor shape have an increased risk of developing many life-threatening health conditions including heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis, and cancer.
Individuals in poor shape are also more likely to have bad posture. When the muscles become tired, individuals tend to slouch putting extra pressure on the back and neck. As a result, poor posture may cause back and neck pain or muscle soreness. Regular exercise may help improve posture because it strengthens the muscles needed for good posture.
There is extensive scientific evidence suggesting that regular exercise offers major health benefits. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the failure to exercise regularly is a significant precursor to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer. Exercising on a regular basis is one of the most inexpensive and easiest measures a person can take in order to reduce the risk and/or delay the onset of serious illnesses.
Regular exercise in the elderly may help prevent fall injuries. Falls are the leading cause of injury-related visits to emergency departments in the United States. They are also the number one cause of accidental deaths in patients older than 65 years. Exercise can help patients strengthen their muscles and improve their balance, which reduces the risk of accidental falls.

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