Physical Activity, Fitness, and Survival

Both physical activity and physical fitness have been shown to have an inverse association with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in a dose-response fashion. Previous recommendations for achieving benefit from physical activity focused on levels of activity necessary to produce improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness, but accumulating evidence supports the case for a regular program of moderate-intensity activity. Physical activity in moderate doses has been shown not only to have health benefits, but also to reduce the risk of mortality from cardiovascular disease and from all causes. The risk of moderate intensity activity is very low and is far outweighed by the long-term benefits. Conflicting data exist regarding the intensity of physical activity that is required to produce gain, but many reports show improvements with activity of less vigorous intensity. Consequently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health, American Heart Association, and American College of Sports Medicine have endorsed a regular pattern of activity of moderate intensity that can be accumulated throughout the day. For the many Americans who are currently inactive, even modest increases in the level of physical activity will have substantial benefits to improve health and reduce mortality.