Exercising is not just a pastime activity, but a vital component of a healthy lifestyle. Medical experts claim that exercising regularly can also help with sexual performance issues of the sexes.
An Epidemiologist of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Ismail Abdus-Salam, states that regular physical exercise improves sexual performance in both men and women, but that it also improves health in general.
He spoke on the benefits of regular physical activity on the sideline of the 4th annual “Walk For Life” exercise which is organized by the Human Concern Foundation International (HCFI), an organ of The Muslim Congress (TMC).
Exercising for Sexual Health
Dr. Abdus-Salam, who also works as a Consultant Public Health Physician explains that regular physical activity can promote sexual health by increasing testosterone levels in men and women.
Testosterone is a sex hormone that is most responsible for healthy sex drive and whose declining levels lead to sexual performance issues. Studies show that even moderate physical activity raises testosterone levels significantly and that this can, among other things, improve sex drive.
Although testosterone is considered a primarily male hormone, women also produce small amounts of this hormone because testosterone plays an important role in women’s health as much as it does in male’s.
Exercising for Overall Health
Dr. Abdus-Salam spoke on other benefits that regular exercise provides this Sunday when the 4th annual “Walk For Life” was held. He spoke of how exercise promotes overall health, increases blood flow, leads to better sleep, and in this way, prevents many chronic diseases.
According to a great number of studies examining the health benefits of daily exercising, this form of activity can prevent diabetes, cancer, obesity, hypertension, joint problems, and depression.
The exercise performed at the 4th annual “Walk For Life” organized by the Human Concern Foundation International (HCFI) involved trekking for more than five kilometers from Jibowu Bus stop to Maryland and back. Around 5000 participants joined the five kilometers walk.
The participants of the 4th annual “Walk For Life” were guarded by employees of Lagos State Traffic Management (LASMA) who also controlled the traffic on the Lagos-Ikorodu expressway so that none of the participants get injured.
Aerobic Exercising Benefits
Walking, running, hiking, and trekking belong to a group of exercises called aerobic exercises. Aerobic activities provide the most benefits for your heart and blood vessels.
An article published in Postgraduate Medicine states that regular aerobic exercise reduces the incidence and mortality of coronary artery disease by improving blood lipid profiles.
Aerobic exercise also increases weight loss, reduces stress and anxiety, and increases levels of well-being which indirectly benefits heart health. The mood-boosting effects of exercise also impact sexual satisfaction and functioning as sexual health greatly depends on psychological well-being among other things.
Public Health Awareness
Promoting exercising through the media and activities such as these can also help improve public health according to Dr. Ismail Abdus-Salam.
This can have a profound effect on a nation’s economic productivity which Dr. Abdus-Salam, being an epidemiologist, is well aware of. An active and fit nation will not have as many incidences of work absenteeism or disability.
But it is not just the working-age people that benefit from greater levels of physical activity – the elderly can benefit too.
Exercising can prevent age-related disease from affecting an older person’s health and well-being. Dr. Ismail Abdus-Salam emphasizes the importance of preventing atherosclerosis and consequently heart attacks and strokes which are the most common causes of death in the elderly.
Better quality of life for the elderly
The elderly have other ailments that reduce their quality of life such as incontinence, cancer, and respiratory problems, all of which can be prevented and reduced with engaging in regular physical activity. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends exercising for at least 150 minutes a week for moderate exercising or 75 minutes a week for vigorous exercising to prevent these chronic diseases.
Dr. Abdus-Salam also recommends similar measures saying that 140 minutes of week is more than enough to prevent chronic diseases of the heart and blood vessels. These numbers translate to anywhere between 10 and 20 minutes of exercising a day, and according to Abdus-Salam, 140 minutes a week is not asking for much. But keep in mind that regularity above all else what is needed if you want to feel the benefits of exercising.
Conclusion
Exercising regularly improves hormonal status, overall health, and increases levels of well-being. Since sexual health and functioning largely depend on the state of all three factors, it’s safe to say that exercising can indirectly benefit sexual functioning as well.
Dr. Ismail Abdus-Salam who is an Epidemiologist of the Lagos State Ministry of Health has given his word of advice regarding the 4th annual “Walk For Life” held in Nigeria’s largest city emphasizing the importance of being physically active. This event can raise public awareness of the many health benefits for the individual and the public benefits of exercising.
This article changed my life!
This article was informative.
I have a medical question.
This article contains incorrect information.
This article doesn’t have the information I’m looking for.