Key result
Regular physical activity yields graded CVD reductions, though benefits attenuate at extreme volumes.
Why the study?
Appropriate volume and intensity are essential to maximize cardiovascular benefits from exercise, motivating a summary of evidence on dose-response relationships, exercise intensities, and excessive exercise.
Captured external expert commentary on this paper, strongest first. Original sources are linked where available.
“For moderate types of exercise, there doesn't seem to be any limit to the amount of benefit. The more you do, the more benefit you get. Now, I'm sure there is some point where the benefit plateaus off, but we can't see it from the studies. You can't see it from the studies because not everybody walks all day.”
“They tested whether super-fit individuals had a different mortality risk compared to the general population, but it could be that people with less extreme exercise regimens have different or even better outcomes.”
Supports graded activity benefits in practice; leaves open extreme-volume thresholds for prospective trials.
Habitual physical activity and regular exercise training improve cardiovascular health and longevity. A physically active lifestyle is, therefore, a key aspect of primary and secondary prevention strategies. An appropriate volume and intensity are essential to maximally benefit from exercise interventions. This document summarizes available evidence on the relationship between the exercise volume and risk reductions in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, the risks and benefits of moderate- versus high-intensity exercise interventions are compared. Findings are presented for the general population and cardiac patients eligible for cardiac rehabilitation. Finally, the controversy of excessive volumes of exercise in the athletic population is discussed.
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Eijsvogels et al. (2016) conducted a review in Cardiovascular disease. Physical activity and exercise training vs. Sedentary lifestyle or lower exercise volume was evaluated. Habitual physical activity and regular exercise training provide a graded risk reduction in cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality, though benefits may attenuate at extreme volumes.
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