WHEN most people think of medicine, they visualise a pill to be popped, a liquid to be swallowed or an injection to be endured. But in recent years, study after study has shown that one of the most potent forms of “medicine” is movement.
Health experts now prescribe exercise to help prevent and treat a broad array of ailments, ranging from certain cancers to heart disease, stroke and even sexual dysfunction. The basic recommendation is to accumulate at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise, most days of the week. But specific advice varies, depending on an individual's fitness level and health goals.