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<p><a class="leftNavOff" href="exercise_pract.asp">Practitioner Statement</a></p>
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Exercise — History & Philosophy</p>
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<p>The benefits of physical activity have been recognized throughout western history, but it was not until the second half of the 20th century that scientific evidence supporting these beliefs began to accumulate. By the 1970s, enough information was available about the beneficial effects of vigorous exercise on cardiorespiratory fitness that the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the American Heart Association (AHA), and other national organizations began issuing physical activity recommendations to the public. These recommendations generally focused on cardiorespiratory endurance and specified sustained periods of vigorous physical activity involving large muscle groups lasting at least 20 minutes three or more days per week. </p>
<p>With more research, an emerging consensus evolved that physical activity does not have to be vigorous for it to improve health. Health benefits appear to be proportional to the amount of activity, with each increase in activity adding some benefit. Emphasizing the amount rather than the intensity of physical activity makes incorporating these activities into daily life much easier for most people. Studies show that cardiorespiratory fitness gains are similar when physical activity occurs in several short sessions (e.g., 10 minutes) as when the same total amount and intensity of activity occurs in one longer session (e.g., 30 minutes). Government and health society guidelines now recommend regular, moderate-intensity physical activity as a viable option for those who get little or no exercise. Accumulating physical activity over the course of the day has been included in recent recommendations from government and sports medicine organizations such as the CDC and ACSM, as well as from the NIH Consensus Development Conference on Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Health. </p>
<p>Underpinning such recommendations is a growing understanding of how physical activity affects physiologic function. The body responds to physical activity in ways that have important positive effects on musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, and endocrine systems. These changes are consistent with a number of health benefits, including a reduced risk of premature mortality and reduced risks of coronary heart disease, hypertension, colon cancer, and diabetes mellitus. Regular participation in physical activity also appears to reduce depression and anxiety, improve mood, and enhance ability to perform daily tasks throughout the life span. </p>
<p>Physical activity is a first-line therapy and protects against many chronic health conditions by improving glucose uptake and insulin sensitivity, improving blood lipid profiles, lowering blood pressure, improving the health of blood vessels, and protecting against obesity.</p>
<p>Scientific data now indicate indisputably that individuals who perform even minimal physical activity have important reductions in chronic disease. </p>
<p>Research on physical activity continues to evolve. It remains to be determined how the interrelated characteristics of amount, intensity, duration, frequency, type, and pattern of physical activity are related to specific health or disease outcomes.</p>
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<p class="timestamp">Content last modified on Sep 23, 2003</p>
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