n the abdominal muscles such as partial sit-ups, which maintain the back's normal curve and help support the body's weight, can alleviate stress on the lower back. Cardiovascular disease is a leading killer. Cardiovascular disease refers to a variety of diseases and conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels, high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Accounting for more than 40% of all deaths. Heart disease is the leading cause of permanent disability among working adults. Stroke alone accounts for disability among more than 1 million people nationwide. Almost 6 million hospitalizations each year are due to cardiovascular disease. [18] Physical activity reduces the risk for heart disease and helps reduce blood pressure. People who are sedentary have twice the risk for heart disease of those who are physically active. Unfortunately, many do not achieve the recommended level of physical activity, and more than one-fourth reports no leisure-time physical activity. People who maintain an active lifestyle have a 45% lower risk of developing coronary heart disease than do sedentary people. A recent study reported that moderate dietary changes improve cholesterol levels and so lower the risk for coronary artery disease only when an aerobic exercise program is also followed [10]. Diabetes, particularly type 2, is reaching epidemic proportions. Aerobic exercise is proving to have significant and particular benefits for people with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes; it increases sensitivity to insulin, lowers blood pressure, improves cholesterol levels, and decreases body fat. Regular exercise, even of moderate intensity, improves insulin sensitivity. In fact, studies of older people who engage in regular, moderate, aerobic exercise (e.g., brisk walking, biking) lower their risk for diabetes even if they don't lose weight. Anyone on insulin or who has complications from diabetes must take special precautions before embarking on a worko...
