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As studies have shown, physical activity has a variety of well-known benefits not just to your cardiovascular system and strength, but also your bones and organs, and that includes the brain.
Various activities may outperform others in one aspect or another, but they are all generally considered to be good for you overall.
For instance, an international research collaboration led by University of Sydney found that racquet sports (squash, tennis and badminton) lowered your risk of death from any cause even more than other sports. The categories of swimming, aerobics and cycling were also in their top four.
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Meanwhile, referring to a study done by the Department of Exercise Science at the University of Georgia, BrainHQ said that "The benefits of physical exercise, especially aerobic exercise, have positive effects on brain function on multiple fronts, ranging from the molecular to behavioral level."
One reason they cited was the increased heart rate pumping more blood around the system, including to the brain; blood that contains oxygen, nutrition and beneficial hormones that get released during such activity.
As for what your many options are around Goulburn, one person who has a keen eye on the activities people of all ages participate in here is Caroline Begg from the local SportsPower store.
Caroline says the indoor pool makes swimming an option all year, and some people just like to walk or run to stay active. Goulburn Parkrun each Saturday morning is an example of this.
We have some really good personal trainers and "There are a lot of gyms in Goulburn", Caroline said. They are aimed at different demographics too, which shows lots of different locals are taking their physical health seriously.
"Women's sports are going gangbusters," Caroline said enthusiastically, noting the positive effect of greater exposure in the media such as the Matildas games this month and Ash Barty winning the French Open recently.
Through winter "girls footy here is huge. We have two or three teams playing league, at least one playing union, and then there's league tag; you name it, we've got it."
Hockey is another one popular with many age groups, and with both sexes.
Home activities like games of skill are good for social activity too. "Coits and hookies are popular, especially with grandparents who buy them to enjoy with their grandchildren," Caroline says.
Wearing the right clothing and shoes for your chosen activity, and for your individual fitment, is also important.
When doing any activity you also want to minimise your risk of injury with the right protective equipment, along with the right warm up and cool down habits. Make sure you wear the right pads, gloves, helmet and so on.
Meanwhile if you have an injury or a disability, or any form of movement restriction you can, and should, find a suitable activity that helps your rehabilitation or simply keeps you active and healthier.
"Rehab is a big one," says Caroline of the products people look for, such as resistance exercises to build strength or foam rollers and massage balls for relief of muscular aches. You can also get wrist and ankle supports, and strapping tape which you even see professional players wearing.
Orthopaedic surgeons will also tell you that the fitter and leaner you are before a joint replacement surgery, the better it will be for your recovery.
So whatever your preferred physical activity, be sure to get in and do it; safely, properly, and regularly.