ABSTRACT
This chapter summarizes the various ways the physical activity can play important roles in preserving or improving the health of women. Regular physical activity plays important roles for both pregnancy and post-partum including decreased risk of excessive weight gain and improved fitness and emotional well-being. Regular physical activity can play multiple important roles in women's health. These benefits range from reducing the likelihood of dying from multiple causes to reducing specific risk factors for coronary heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and certain cancers. Physical activity can play an important role in breast health, bone health, and osteoporosis as well as the preservation of healthy body composition. Physical activity has been shown to be associated with multiple aspects of cognitive function and brain health throughout the lifespan in women. Despite its many benefits, physical activity does carry certain risks. These include musculoskeletal injuries, rare acute cardiac events, and menstrual dysfunction.
