Physical_Activity_Guidelines

The evidence that habitual moderate-to-vigorous physical activity reduces the risk of excessive weight gain, an
important risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea, suggests that physical activity could have a favorable impact
on the incidence of obstructive sleep apnea.
The number of hours before bedtime at which the activity is performed does not matter. Benefits are similar
for physical activity performed more than 8 hours before bedtime, 3 to 8 hours before, and less than 3 hours
before bedtime.
Cancer
Physically active adults have a significantly lower risk of developing several commonly occurring cancers, as
well as lower risk of several other cancers. Research shows that adults who participate in greater amounts
of physical activity have reduced risks of developing cancers of the:
• Bladder;
• Breast;
• Colon (proximal and distal);
• Endometrium;
• Esophagus (adenocarcinoma);
• Kidney;
• Lung; and
• Stomach (cardia and non-cardia adenocarcinoma).
These effects appear to apply to both men and women, regardless of weight status. Benefits for cancer
survivors are shown in Table 2-4.
People With Chronic Health Conditions and Disabilities
Regular physical activity provides important health benefits for adults with chronic health conditions. As seen
in Table 2-4, benefits exist for cancer survivors and people with osteoarthritis, hypertension, type 2 diabetes,
dementia, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, and other cognitive disorders.
42 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans