The importance of sport and exercise

Everyone knows that exercise is important. But how much should we move in order to be healthy? And what exactly do we mean by exercise? Read on to find out all you need to know about exercise and sport!

Why is exercise so important?

Every movement, no matter how small, has a positive impact on health. All physical activities help prevent and limit joint problems. Sufficient exercise is not only good for physical health, but also for mental health.

Of course, losing weight requires more than just daily activity. A varied and healthy menu is an important addition to daily exercise. The combination of more exercise and a healthy diet is ideal for weight loss.

What do we mean by exercise?

How much should you exercise then?

• 150 to 300 minutes of moderate intensity per week
• 75 to 150 minutes of high intensity exercise per week

Those who, for certain health reasons, cannot exercise intensively can make a daily habit of walking. Walking increases your energy consumption and strengthens your muscles.

Need extra motivation while exercising/walking? An activity tracker or pedometer can certainly help!

Which sports consume the most calories?

You burn calories doing any activity. Our bodies constantly need energy to function.

Exactly how many calories you burn depends on your metabolism, age and weight. To find out approximately how many calories you burn per activity, there is a simple formula. In the table below, take the middle column (kcal/kg/hour) and multiply it by your current weight. (Below is an example for someone weighing 90kg).

Why is exercise so important in type 2 diabetes?

Many people who are overweight also suffer from type 2 diabetes. Physical exercise plays an important role both in the prevention and the treatment of diabetes. Research shows that any increase in physical activity is associated with a reduction in the risk of developing diabetes.

Exercise is important in type 2 diabetes because:

• It helps control blood sugar levels.
• It has an immediate beneficial effect on blood sugar levels.

So regular and intensive exercise is important. It is best to combine low-intensity exercises for longer periods of time with muscle-strengthening exercises. This can be, for instance, a daily walk of 30 minutes (brisk walking).