Physical Activity, Fitness, and Health: The Current Consensus

The process of the 1992 consensus conference that examined relationships among physical activity, fitness, and health variables is described. Potential sources of physical activity include not only deliberate exercise but also occupational tasks, household chores, and incidental activity such as walking. It is still unclear whether the process (physical activity) or the outcome (physical fitness) is the most appropriate value to measure. Current evidence strongly supports the value of regular physical activity in preventing and treating coronary heart disease, hypertension, end-stage renal disease, Type II diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis, certain forms of cancer, surgical trauma, depression, and anxiety. There is also suggestive evidence of benefit in peripheral vascular disease, mild obesity, the chronic phases of rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, and chronic obstructive lung disease. In other conditions—including cerebrovascular accidents, Type I diabetes, low back problems, bladder problems, immune disorders, neuromuscular disorders, and substance abuse—evidence of benefit is equivocal.