Chapter 1: The Health Benefits of Physical Activity

Physical Activity

Bodily movements that result in energy expenditure

Exercise

subset of physical activity

Physical fitness

set of attributes relating to physical activity performance

sedentary behavior

sitting or reclined while engaging in less or equal to 1.5 METS

Physical inactivity

Not meeting the following activity recommendations (30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity on at least 5 days per week, equivalent combination achieving 600 MET- minutes per week)

Light-intensity physical activity is less than 3.0 METs

example: walking

Moderate-intensity physical activity is 3.0-5.9 METs

example jogging

Vigorous-intensity physical activity is more than or equal to 6.0 METs

example: running

Four physical activity domains

Recreation, transport, occupation and household

Physical activity recommendations #1

adults should avoid inactivity

physical activity guidelines for Americans #2

Adults should engage in at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes per week of vigorous-intensity activity

physical activity guidelines for Americans #3

For more extensive benefits, this recommendation should be extended to 300 minutes per week of moderate-intensity or 150 minutes per week of vigorous-intensity

physical activity guidelines for Americans#4

adults should engage in muscle strengthening activities on at least 2 or more days per week

physical activity recommendations #1

The nation’s health agenda sets a goal to improve health, fitness and quality of life

physical activity recommendations #2

Includes delineated objectives related to the promotion of physical activity across the lifespan

physical activity recommendations #3

Objectives are categorized based upon the target population (adults and/or children)

physical activity recommendations #4

American heart association (AHA) and ACSM’s recommendations

physical activity recommendations #5

All adults (18-65yr) need moderate-intensity aerobic activity for 30 minutes on at least 5 days per week

physical activity recommendations #6

combinations of moderate and vigorous activity can be used to meet this goal

physical activity recommendations #7

Exceeding the minimum recommendations may help to: further improve fitness, reduce risk of chronic disease, prevent unhealthy weight gain

Prevalence of physical activity #1

physical inactivity is considered a global pandemic: one in 4 adults are insufficiently physically active

Prevalence of physical activity #2

Health equity: every individual has the opportunity to attain his or her full health potential

Prevalence of physical activity #3

Health disparities: national physical activity data reveals health disparities exist due to all of the following: sex,race/ethnicity, age, educational attainment, family income, family type, country of birth, disability status, geographic location, health insurance status, sexual orientation and marital status

Benefits of physical activity and chronic disease #1

regular physical activity can attenuate the prevalence, mortality or morbidity of many leading causes of death

Benefits of physical activity and chronic disease #2

Physical activity and all-cause mortality: numerous studies underscore the relationship between physical activity and reduced all-cause mortality, ex Havard alumni health study

Benefits of physical activity and chronic disease #3

physical activity and chronic diseases: chronic diseases, diseases that develop overtime and are not infectious, the world health organization (WHO) promotes physical activity for the improvement or maintenance of chronic diseases

Benefits of physical activity and chronic disease #4

physical activity and stroke: meta analysis data displays an 11% reduction in the risk of stroke with moderate-intensity exercise and a 19% reduction with vigorous-intensity exercise

Benefits of physical activity and chronic disease #5

Physical activity and cardiovascular disease (CVD): the positive relationship between physical activity and cardiovascular health has been well established

Benefits of physical activity and chronic disease #6

Physical activity and cancer: exercise has been shown to benefit individuals with several types of cancer, including lung, breast, colon, and pancreatic

Benefits of physical activity and chronic disease#7

Physical activity and diabetes: regular physical activity promotes glycemic control and insulin action, this improves blood glucose, lipids, blood pressure control abnormalities and weight loss/maintenance

Benefits of physical activity and chronic disease#8

Physical activity and obesity: physical activity is associated with weight loss and or the prevention of weight gain

Benefits of physical activity and chronic disease #9

Physical activity and disabilities/aging: Physical activity is recommended to all persons, including the aging population and to those with disabilities

federal initiatives to promote physical activity

exercise is medicine, step it up initiative, lets move campaign