Health benefits of physical activity: the evidence

The primary purpose of this narrative review was to evaluate the current literature and to provide further insight into the role physical inactivity plays in the development of chronic disease and premature death. We confirm that there is irrefutable evidence of the effectiveness of regular physical...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Canadian Medical Association journal 2006-03, Vol.174 (6), p.801-809
Main Authors: Warburton, Darren E.R, Nicol, Crystal Whitney, Bredin, Shannon S.D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cardiovascular Diseases - prevention & control
Care and treatment
Chronic Disease
Chronic diseases
Chronic illnesses
Diabetes Mellitus - prevention & control
Disease prevention
Exercise
Guidelines
Health aspects
Health Behavior
Health Status
Humans
Life Expectancy
Neoplasms - prevention & control
Physical Fitness
Review
Statistical data
Citations: Items that cite this one
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Summary:The primary purpose of this narrative review was to evaluate the current literature and to provide further insight into the role physical inactivity plays in the development of chronic disease and premature death. We confirm that there is irrefutable evidence of the effectiveness of regular physical activity in the primary and secondary prevention of several chronic diseases (e.g., cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, hypertension, obesity, depression and osteoporosis) and premature death. We also reveal that the current Health Canada physical activity guidelines are sufficient to elicit health benefits, especially in previously sedentary people. There appears to be a linear relation between physical activity and health status, such that a further increase in physical activity and fitness will lead to additional improvements in health status.
ISSN:0008-4409
0820-3946
1488-2329
DOI:10.1503/cmaj.051351