Physical Activity Health Benefits

“The evidence is clear—physical activity can make you feel better, function better, and sleep better. Even one session of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity reduces…”.1

Umbrella
What may the Physical Activity Health Benefits Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Active Living
  • Exercise
  • Fitness
  • Health
  • Health Benefits
  • Physical Activity

Definition

What is physical activity?

DotS the definition of physical activity may vary. In Physical Activity: What Is Physical Activity? the World Health Organization’s (WHO) definition is:

“WHO defines physical activity as any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure. Physical activity refers to all movement including during leisure time, for transport to get to and from places, or as part of a person’s work. Both moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity improve health”.2

Health Benefits

Is there an association between health benefits and physical activity?

In Physical Activity the WHO elaborate on:

“Regular physical activity is proven to help prevent and manage noncommunicable diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and several cancers. It also helps prevent hypertension, maintain healthy body weight and can improve mental health, quality of life and well-being”.3

In Physical Activity: Physical Activity Basics – How Much Physical Activity Do You Need? the (United States) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention elaborate on:

“The evidence is clear—physical activity can make you feel better, function better, and sleep better. Even one session of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity reduces anxiety, and even short bouts of physical activity are beneficial. Being physically active also fosters normal growth and development, improves overall health, can reduce the risk of various chronic diseases”.4

In Exercise: Benefits of Exercise: Health Benefits the (United Kingdom) NHS elaborate on:

Physical Activity Health Benefits“It’s medically proven that people who do regular physical activity have lower risk of:

  • Coronary heart disease and stroke
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Bowel cancer
  • Breast cancer in women
  • Early death
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Hip fracture
  • Falls (among older adults)
  • Depression
  • Dementia”.5

Breast Cancer

Is there an association between breast cancer and physical activity?

In Physical Activity and Cancer: What Is Known About the Relationship Between Physical Activity and Cancer Risk? the (United States) National Cancer Institute elaborate on:

  • “Breast cancer: Many studies have shown that physically active women have a lower risk of breast cancer than inactive women. In a 2016 meta-analysis that included 38 cohort studies, the most physically active women had a 12–21% lower risk of breast cancer than those who were least physically active. Physical activity has been associated with similar reductions in risk of breast cancer among both premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Women who increase their physical activity after menopause may also have a lower risk of breast cancer than women who do not”.6

Mood

Is there an association between mood and physical activity?

In Depression: How Can I Take Care of Myself? the (United States) National Institute of Mental Health note:

  • “Try to get some physical activity. Just 30 minutes a day of walking can boost mood”.7

On page 56 in Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd Edition: Chapter 4. Active Adults – Key Guidelines for Adults the (United States) Department of Health and Human Services explain:

“Regular moderate-to-vigorous physical activity also reduces feelings of anxiety and depression and improves sleep and quality of life. Even a single episode of physical activity provides temporary improvements in cognitive function and state anxiety”.8

Never Too Late To Start

Is it never too late to start physical activity?

In Physical Activity & Exercise the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) explain:

“It’s never too late to become more physically active. Beginning or resuming exercise at any age will benefit your health.

Activity for 30 minutes on most days of the week will provide you with sustainable health benefits”.9

Health Care Provider

What if I am going to start doing physical activity?

If you are going to start doing physical activity, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this.

In Physical Activity: Information – Getting Started the (United States) MedlinePlus note:

“IMPORTANT NOTE: Talk with your health care provider before starting an exercise program if:

  • You have diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, or another long-term illness
  • You have obesity
  • You have not been very active lately
  • You get chest pains or shortness of breath when you are active”.10

In Fitness: In-Depth – Exercise: 7 Benefits of Regular Physical Activity – The Bottom Line on Exercise the (United States) Mayo Clinic caution:

“Remember to check with a health care professional before starting a new exercise program, especially if you have any concerns about your fitness or haven’t exercised for a long time. Also check with a health care professional if you have chronic health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes or arthritis”.11

In Physical Activity & Exercise: Starting An Exercise Program – Exercise Physiologists the JH caution:

“If you have a medical condition, are overweight, are pregnant, over 40 years of age or have not exercised regularly for a long time, see a health professional for medical advice before increasing your activity. They can refer you to an accredited exercise physiologist who can help you design an activity plan that is safe and helpful to your individual needs”.12

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Physical Activity Health Benefits?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

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Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Physical Activity: Physical Activity Basics – How Much Physical Activity Do You Need? Last Reviewed: 16 October 2023. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/index.htm Accessed: 30 October 2023
  2. Physical Activity. What Is Physical Activity? 05 October 2022. World Health Organization https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/physical-activity Accessed: 30 October 2023
  3. Physical Activity. What Is Physical Activity? 05 October 2022. World Health Organization https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/physical-activity Accessed: 30 October 2023
  4. Physical Activity: Physical Activity Basics – How Much Physical Activity Do You Need? Last Reviewed: 16 October 2023 2022. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/index.htm Accessed: 30 October 2023
  5. Exercise: Benefits of Exercise: Health Benefits. Page Last Reviewed: 04 August 2021. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/exercise-health-benefits/#health-benefits Accessed: 30 October 2023
  6. Physical Activity and Cancer: What Is Known About the Relationship Between Physical Activity and Cancer Risk? Reviewed: 10 February 2020. National Cancer Institute https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/obesity/physical-activity-fact-sheet#q2 Accessed: 30 October 2023
  7. Depression: How Can I Take Care of Myself? Revised: 2021. National Institute of Mental Health https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression Accessed: 30 October 2023
  8. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd Edition: Chapter 4. Active Adults – Key Guidelines for Adults. 2018:56. Department of Health and Human Services https://health.gov/paguidelines/second-edition/pdf/Physical_Activity_Guidelines_2nd_edition.pdf#page=55 Accessed: 30 October 2023
  9. Physical Activity & Exercise. Last Updated: 26 August 2023 | Last Revised: 17 February 2014. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/healthy-living/physical-activity-exercise/ Accessed: 30 October 2023
  10. Physical Activity: Information – Getting Started. Review Date: 27 April 2023. MedlinePlus https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001941.htm Accessed: 30 October 2023
  11. Fitness: In-Depth – Exercise: 7 Benefits of Regular Physical Activity – The Bottom Line on Exercise. 08 October 2021. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/exercise/art-20048389 Accessed: 30 October 2023
  12. Physical Activity & Exercise: Starting An Exercise Program – Exercise Physiologists. Last Updated: 26 August 2023 | Last Revised: 17 February 2014. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/healthy-living/physical-activity-exercise/ Accessed: 30 October 2023
Topic Last Updated: 17 April 2024 – Topic Last Reviewed: 30 October 2023

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