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Ivan Torres

Cynthia Aradillas

English 1302

24 April 2024

The Exercise Experience: A Prescription for Enhanced Quality of Life

In today’s technologically-driven society, where sedentary lifestyles are increasingly prevalent,

the importance of exercise cannot be overstated. While modern conveniences offer ease and
comfort, the documented negative impacts of physical inactivity on health and well-being
outweigh the critical need for regular physical activity. The benefits of exercise advocate for
more than a hobby, it is an implementation that can be seen in the form of a prescription. A form
of medicine that can augment the quality of life, focusing on the sustainability of health
maintenance and enhancement. Scientific literature and empirical evidence have proved exercise
is a component that serves as a potent therapeutic modality, offering a plethora of physical,
mental, and emotional benefits. Individuals who dedicate thirty minutes to an hour of their daily
routine to exercise demonstrate a commitment to prioritizing their health and is scientifically
proven to expand one's lifespan. It is imperative to recognize the urgency in promoting exercise,
especially, among those with chronic health conditions, and to emphasize that exercise is not just
complementary but essential, often serving as a more effective treatment than prescribed
medicine.
Thompson et al. (2020) assert that exercise functions akin to medicine, capable of

mitigating the public health risks linked to physical inactivity. Their quantitative analysis of

scientific and medical literature captures the benefits linked with exercise as a supportive

treatment for preventing and managing chronic conditions. This perspective emphasizes the need

for healthcare providers to push for the importance of exercise in routine health management

practices. Exercise transcends its traditional perception as a recreational activity and emerges as

a fundamental pillar of preventive medicine. The idea of exercise as a medicine is to give a

notion to the idea that a person is in control of their well-being and if an individual becomes

aware of their well-being, it can promote a longer life expectancy. In, Exercise Sustains the

Hallmarks of Health, Qui et al. (2023) unveil exercising benefits the physical and mental aspects
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of the body, keeping an individual in homeostasis. Moreover, the authors go in-depth with the

long-term effects of exercise and how it can be a movement to push one another to breach

unhealthy traits. The article states, “ According to data from the World Health Organization, in

2016, more than one-quarter of adults worldwide were physically inactive. The worldwide

pandemic of physical inactivity should be a public health priority. It is well-known that a healthy

lifestyle is associated with a significantly lower risk of total mortality and a longer life

expectancy”(Li Y, Pan A, Wang DD, et al. 2018) To emphasize the author's claim, exercise is

meant to target a multitude of health factors with one's mental sustainability and physical

capabilities. Preserving and making sure the body is receiving its appropriate mobility and

adequate stretching can improve the way an individual perceives their day-to-day life. For

example, the research eludes the idea of positioning the benefits of exercise as more than just a

training regimen many people follow, it is a lifestyle that should be promoted more in schools,

hospitals, and community outreach. A lifestyle rich in physical activity correlates with decreased

mortality rates and promotes longer life expectancy, eluding that exercise addresses a wide range

of health benefits, adapting to mental resilience and physical vitality. The research of Vina et al.

(2012) further indicates the positive results of exercise, posting it as a pharmacological

intervention due to its myriad health-enhancing effects. Through a comprehensive review of

exercise’s impact on health and lifespan, the authors draw parallels between exercise and

traditional pharmacological drugs. The article reframes exercise as a fundamental every person

should be acceptable to apply within their day-to-day interactions. Additionally, Ross et al.

(2023) reiterate exercise’s potential as an alternative treatment for depression, elucidating its

profound impact on both physical and mental well-being. The concluding variables from the

study modulated neurotransmitter levels and immune mechanisms associated with depression,
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exercise emerges as an effective intervention targeting the intricate balance between body and

mind.

The authors Ifcher et al. (2018) encompass an analogy between neighbors’ income and

subjective well-being( SWB) having a higher concern that shapes individuals’s perceptions of

their happiness and fulfillment. By utilizing geographically-based median-income data from the

American Community Survey(ACS), the study explores how the proximity of reference groups

influences the relationship between SWB and income levels. The finding revealed a pattern,

while positive channels tend to dominate locally, negative channels become more pronounced at

the regional level. As the income of neighborhoods shrinks, the attention to physical activity

diminishes as the livelihood of these lower-income neighborhoods is more realistic of the matter.

The persistent push to address individuals to focus on exercise is a positive narrative to assert,

but it isn’t realistic to all demographics and is mindful of the bigger battle of inequality in

communities. For instance, in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods where access to

resources and opportunities for physical activity may be limited, individuals may face heightened

barriers to incorporating exercise into their daily routines. Factors such as safety concerns, lack

of affordable fitness facilities, and time constraints due to demand work schedules or caregiving

responsibilities can impede their ability to engage in regular exercise. As a closing conclusion for

the article, the study’s emphasis on the need for robustness checks and consideration of alternate

interpreters resonates with the complexities inherent in promoting exercise across diverse

populations. Strategies targeted at increasing physical activity need to be more planned to the

unique needs and contexts of different communities, taking into account factors such as cultural

norms, access to resources, and social support networks.

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While the benefits of exercise are undeniable, challenges in its implementation persist.

Ifcher et al. (2018) shed light on the cons surrounding exercise interventions, acknowledging the

variability in individual responses and contextual factors. The author’s analysis stands in

opposition to the notion of exercise as an obligatory endeavor, accepting that exercise may not be

a priority for everyone and that there are alternative ways an individual can maintain their

physical well-being. Despite the overwhelming evidence supporting the benefits of exercise,

including its positive impact on physical health, mental well-being, and longevity, the reality is

that not everyone may readily embrace it as a task or duty. Factors such as time constraints,

competing priorities, and personal preferences may influence individuals’ willingness or ability

to engage in regular exercise. Furthermore, societal norms and cultural attitudes towards physical

activity vary, complicating the narrative of exercise being seen as a universal prescription for

health. The research conducted by Ifcher et al. offers valuable variables into the channels through

which income may impact subjective well-being (SWB). In communities with lower median

incomes, residents may confront a barrage of socioeconomic barriers, ranging from limited

access to health and educational resources to higher rates of crime and environmental hazards. In

contrast, affluent neighborhoods may grapple with distinct issues such as social isolation,

pressure to maintain materialistic lifestyles, and heightened expectations for success. The author

argues that attention to exercise is widely noticed as a beneficial practice for physical and mental

health, but its uptake and efficacy do not reflect upon everyone the same. Therefore, promoting

exercise as a universal solution to enhance well-being may overlook the unique circumstances

and contexts present in diverse neighborhoods. Kawamura and Muraoka (2018) caution against

overlooking the physiological effects of exercise-induced oxidative stress. Their research targets

the physiological effects of exercising being a variable for increased stress rather than relief. On
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the contrary, in Health Benefits of Physical Exercise for Children and Adolescents, Archer

(2014) recommends that children engage in physical activity at an early age to build a great

foundation for stabilizing a healthy lifestyle. Reviewing the inverse manifestation of exercise

benefits, including effects on physical health parameters and mental well-being, the article

connects with research on the early stages of physical activity. It provides insights into why

children and adolescents should include physical activity in their lifestyles, contributing to

discussions on influencing exercise for youth health. The article can be summarized as the focus

on establishing healthy habits early in life, with exercise playing a vital role in overall physical

and mental development.

In conclusion, exercise is a controversial topic that can be seen as a positive to many and

a negative to others. A person’s health is the most important characteristic one can manage and

monitor within themselves. The implementation of exercise is meant to be seen as a method to

incorporate physical activity in everyday routines, for improved health benefits and not as a

negative outlook for certain demographics. Nonetheless, exercise serves as a vital prescription

for enhancing the quality of life, offering enhancing and natural physical, mental, and emotional

benefits, From mitigating public health risks to embracing longevity and resilience, data and

statistics support exercise in alignment with being a preventive medicine. Despite the

controversy of “pushing the agenda” with exercise and not focusing on the bigger picture of

disparities, the need to spread physical activity has no barriers. Ultimately, the positives of

exercise cannot be overstated or be overstated. The implementation of exercise is meant to be a

balance of one's lifestyle, balancing out the body to be fluid with its movement, training the mind

to be disciplined in times of uncertainty, and building a strong foundation for one’s long-term

health.
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Citation

Ifcher, J., Zarghamee, H., & Graham, C. (2018). Local neighbors as positives, regional neighbors
as negatives: Competing channels in the relationship between others’ income, health, and
happiness. Journal of Health Economics, 57, 263-276.

Kawamura, T., & Muraoka, I. (2018). Exercise-Induced Oxidative Stress and the Effects of
Antioxidant Intake from a Physiological Viewpoint. Antioxidants, 7(9), 119.

Qiu, Y., Fernández-García, B., Lehmann, H. I., Li, G., Kroemer, G., López-Otín, C., & Xiao, J.
(2023). Exercise sustains the hallmarks of health. Journal of Sport and Health Science, 12(1), 8-
35.

Ross, R. E., VanDerwerker, C. J., Saladin, M. E., & Gregory, C. M. (2023). The role of exercise
in the treatment of depression: Biological underpinnings and clinical outcomes. Molecular
Psychiatry, 28(1), 298-328.

Thompson, W. R., Sallis, R., Joy, E., Jaworski, C. A., Stuhr, R. M., & Trilk, J. L. (2020).
Exercise Is Medicine. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine.

Vina, J., Sanchis-Gomar, F., Martinez-Bello, V., & Gomez-Cabrera, M. (2012). Exercise acts as
a drug; the pharmacological benefits of exercise. British Journal of Pharmacology, 167(1), 1-12.
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