UC Merced Undergraduate Research Journal

The rates of physical inactivity in America have skyrocketed in the past several decades, and still appear to be increasing. This has led to a slew of illnesses, both physiological and psychological, and it is critical that it be reversed. More and more in recent times, health professionals are turning to pharmaceuticals to treat the ailments of their patients, when instead they should first look at how their patients can help themselves with exercise. In this paper, I have outlined a small selection of the vast positive effects that can come from regular physical activity. These effects include improvements in mood, the reduction of mental illness such as depression, and benefits to cognition. The collection of findings in this paper can be used to demonstrate to health professionals and policy makers alike that physical activity is a critical key to solving America’s health crisis.