Physical activity is one of the most powerful health tools people have to improve mood, energy and sleep, even after just a few sessions.

But the real superpower of an active lifestyle is what it can do for health and quality of life over time. Scientific evidence repeatedly demonstrates that physical activity reduces the risk of developing chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and even some cancers. Despite this, most Americans are not getting enough physical activity in their daily lives.

So why are so few people physically active when the benefits are widely known?

As a physical therapist and rehabilitation scientist who studies how to boost movement for people living with chronic conditions and physical disabilities, I spend a lot of time thinking about that question.

The short answer is that understanding the importance of exercise usually doesn’t translate into exercising. Making it a part of your lifestyle requires believing you can do it and knowing you can do it.

Exercise is a lifestyle choice that helps reduce the likelihood of developing a chronic illness. But the good news is that if you’re one of the 194 million Americans already living with one or more chronic illnesses, beginning or maintaining an exercise routine can slow the progression, reduce symptoms and improve health outcomes.

An array of health benefits

The list of benefits from movement is long. Here are just a few examples:

Physical activity improves the heart’s efficiency to move blood to the lungs and circulate it throughout the entire body.

Physical activity improves the heart’s efficiency to move blood to the lungs and circulate it throughout the entire body.

Engaging in physical activity protects against cognitive decline over time.

Engaging in physical activity protects against cognitive decline over time.

Becoming more active contributes to improved insulin resistance, which protects against diabetes risk and helps manage diabetes symptoms.

Becoming more active contributes to improved insulin resistance, which protects against diabetes risk and helps manage diabetes symptoms.

An active lifestyle can reduce cancer risk and........

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