Danish researchers have published an analysis of all the scientific literature on the effects of sport on various diseases. Result: sport can treat 26 different diseases. Note that the word “treat” must be correctly interpreted; it is about improving the symptoms or putting the disease into remission, precisely as medication could do. For some of these pathologies, healing is possible through sport, but not all.
Depression
Researchers note that physical activity is effective against depression, acting on both the psychological and physical aspects (cerebral anti-inflammatory effect). They recommend strength sports or an alternation between strength and endurance sports but not endurance alone. The beneficial effect is directly proportional to the training frequency: sporadic training is ineffective.
Anxiety
As with depression, researchers note psychological and physical effects. On the other hand, only gentle endurance sports are recommended, such as walking, swimming, running, or cycling. Efforts should be as progressive as possible throughout the sessions, starting with sessions of around ten minutes up to 30 minutes.
Stress Is Also Listed Among The Diseases
The effects and advice are the same as for anxiety.
Schizophrenia
Researchers indicate that symptoms of the disease decrease significantly when the amount of weekly physical exercise totals approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity exercise. Endurance efforts are the best documented and, a priori, the best adapted.
Senile Dementia
Scientific evidence of the effect of sport is more in favor of prevention than treatment for diseases, with an improvement in cognitive abilities. One hour three times a week is well suited. There is no sport whose effects are better documented than another currently. It is recommended that you do an activity adapted to your abilities.
Parkinson’s Disease
All symptoms can be improved by practicing sports. All sports seem beneficial, but weight training and balance work give better results.
Multiple Sclerosis
The best results are obtained with bodybuilding, which is strongly recommended if the degree of disability allows it. Note that sports can cause a temporary worsening of symptoms. This is a normal phenomenon. For more information on this disease, you can turn to my book.
Obesity Is Among Most Neglected Diseases
Sport is effective. It is recommended to combine strength training and endurance activity. The desired goal should be one hour of sport every day.
Hyperlipidemia (High Cholesterol And Triglycerides)
Studies show a significant benefit from sport, independent of any weight loss. Both endurance and strength sports are adequate, but the total volume must reach a certain amount for the effects to be significant: at least 2 hours of sport per week. It is advisable to aim for physical activity for one hour per day, five days per week.
Metabolic Syndrome (Or Insulin Resistance Syndrome Or Pre-Diabetes)
The advice is the same as for hyperlipidemia.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Studies have shown that sport has a positive effect on all the symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome: insulin resistance, weight, and ease of ovulation. Normalization of hormonal production and associated symptoms. As for hyperlipidemia, it is recommended to significantly exceed the recommendations made to the “healthy” population. Researchers suggest sixty minutes of sport per day. Any activity can be done and produce results.
Type 2 Diabetes
The effects of sport are comparable to those of the reference drug, metformin. The most effective way to exercise against diabetes seems to be to do a strength sport (bodybuilding type) alternating with an endurance sport. The weekly duration must be more significant than 150 minutes.
Type 1 Diabetes
Sport does not allow you to do without insulin but can reduce the need for it, facilitate blood sugar management, and reduce complications. Moderate-intensity efforts are recommended over excessively intense efforts, which can trigger hypoglycemia more easily. Monitoring your blood sugar levels carefully and regularly in your practice is advisable.
Cerebral apoplexy
As soon as possible after the incident, it is recommended to do walking and cardiorespiratory efforts (short run, cycle, etc.). Sport acts by facilitating brain recovery.
High Blood Pressure Is Common Among Diseases
Both endurance and strength sports are effective in lowering blood pressure. Be careful, however, because intense exercise can cause an average but substantial increase in blood pressure, triggering a cardiovascular incident. If hypertension is more significant than 18/10, it is recommended to start with activities that are not too intense (endurance). Medical follow-up is also recommended in this case.
Coronary Insufficiency
The sport would profoundly affect the heart and vessels by reducing the tendency for blood clots and improving vascular health and the need for oxygen. It is recommended to carry out an exercise test with a cardiologist, in addition to checking any contraindications, before setting up a sports program whose intensity should be between 50 and 80% of the result of the stress test. ‘effort. Endurance sports are recommended for 20 to 60 minutes 3 to 5 times weekly.
Heart Attack Is Top Among Diseases
In the short term, sport reduces heart attack symptoms and improves quality of life. In the long term (more than a year), it decreases mortality. As with coronary insufficiency, a stress test with a cardiologist should be done before implementing an exercise program. He will also check the absence of contraindications. The type of sport practiced does not matter, but you should start with a low intensity and gradually increase to sessions of 30 minutes 2 to 3 times a week.
Intermittent Claudication
Sport is very effective in reducing pain and increasing walking capacity. The results are at least equal to or better than operations or angioplasty, minus the risks. Walking is recommended as follows: walk until the pain begins. Rest a little while the pain subsides, then start walking again. The duration of the training should be at least 30 minutes 3 times a week.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Sport works effectively to improve the symptoms of COPD. Exercise is even more effective when you stop smoking at the same time. Both strength and endurance sports seem adequate, with a more exciting effect from bodybuilding. Oxygen can be used simultaneously as exercise when tissue oxygen saturation is less than 90%. Otherwise, we limit its use to the end of the session.
Asthma
The sport would be effective in reducing the frequency of asthma attacks. Moderate-intensity endurance sports would be the most effective: running, cycling, ball games, and swimming. But swimming would be the most compelling sport. It is recommended to be progressive until you reach at least 45 minutes and three weekly workouts.
Cystic Fibrosis
Sport improves the fluidity of bronchial mucus and, therefore, its elimination spontaneously and during physiotherapy sessions. It also helps maintain lung capacity. All types of sports are beneficial.
Osteoarthritis
Both strength and endurance sports effectively reduce pain and increase mobility in osteoarthritis cases. Researchers note that physical activity does not necessarily have to work the painful joint to achieve benefits.
Osteoporosis
Lack of muscle activity is a direct cause of osteoporosis. Sport is, therefore, a particularly effective treatment. Training should consist of weight training sessions alternating with sessions aimed at working on balance. Muscles and bones become more robust, and the risk of falling (and therefore fracture) is significantly reduced.
Back Pain
The back pain in question here is that of “lumbago.” All sports effectively relieve this pain, but those that work the lumbar and abdominal areas are the most effective. Bodybuilding or core exercises are, therefore, excellent.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Sport is beneficial against inflammation and pain at all stages of the disease, but limiting the stress on the joints that are destroyed or attacked is recommended. Cycling or swimming are often suitable. However, researchers also recommend doing weight training, including on limbs whose joints are attacked, to limit complications and muscle loss, but in a very gradual manner.
Cancer
Sport reduces the risk of cancer or relapse after cancer. If cancer is under treatment, it can reduce side effects such as fatigue and increase the chances of treatment success, particularly by strengthening immunity. Strength sports are the most effective and can be practiced alternately with endurance sports. However, sport is not recommended when white or red blood cells are too low; medical advice is therefore recommended.
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