Physical_Activity_Guidelines

The Health Benefits of Physical Activity
Research demonstrates that participating in regular moderate-to-vigorous physical activity provides many
health benefits. These benefits are summarized in Table 2-1. Some benefits of physical activity can be achieved
immediately, such as reduced feelings of anxiety, reduced blood pressure, and improvements in sleep, some
aspects of cognitive function, and insulin sensitivity. Other benefits, such as increased cardiorespiratory fitness,
increased muscular strength, decreases in depressive symptoms, and sustained reduction in blood pressure,
require a few weeks or months of participation in physical activity. Physical activity can also slow or delay the
progression of chronic diseases, such as hypertension and type 2 diabetes. Benefits persist with continued
physical activity.
The health benefits of physical activity are seen in children and adolescents, young and middle-aged adults,
older adults, women and men, people of different races and ethnicities, and people with chronic conditions
or disabilities. The health benefits of physical activity are generally independent of body weight. Adults of
all sizes and shapes gain health and fitness benefits by being habitually physically active. The benefits of
physical activity also outweigh the risk of injury and heart attacks, two concerns that may prevent people
from becoming physically active.
Chapter 2. Physical Activity and Health 31