Cardiovascular health benefits of physical activity: aerobic, muscle-strengthening, and combined exercise modalities

Regular physical activity (PA) has been demonstrated as one of the simplest ways to reduce the risk of incident cardiovascular disease (CVD). The specific impacts of different types of PA on cardiovascular health are, however, not yet to be well understood. In this review, we systematically outline the definitions and current guideline-recommendations for different types of PA, and summarize the effects of three main types, including aerobic, muscle-strengthening, and combined aerobic and muscle-strengthening PA, on CVD and its risk factors. Additionally, this review also summarizes the potential mechanisms through which they promote cardiovascular health. By integrating current research findings, this review provides insights into the general beneficial effects of appropriate PA types, highlights the potential application of combined PA in the prevention of CVD, and offers insights for developing tailored PA recommendations to maximize CVD prevention efficacy.