Physical Activity Health Benefits

“In adults, physical activity contributes to prevention
and management of noncommunicable diseases such as
cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes and…”.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: Overview 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 or domestic activities”.2

Health Benefits

What is the association between health benefits and physical activity?

In Physical Activity: Key Facts the WHO explain:

  • “In adults, physical activity contributes to prevention and management of noncommunicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes and reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety, enhances brain health, and can improve overall well-being”.3

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

Physical Activity Health Benefits“People who do regular physical activity have a 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, including Alzheimer’s Disease

Research also shows that physical activity can boost self-esteem, mood, sleep quality and energy, as well as reducing your risk of stress”.4

In Physical Activity: Benefits of Staying Active the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) explain:

“Regular exercise has many benefits. For example, it can help to:

  • Reduce your risk of physical health conditions (e.g. heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers)
  • Reduce your risk of falls
  • Reduce your stress and anxiety
  • Improve your sleep
  • Improve your concentration
  • Make you feel more energetic
  • Build social connections”.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 physical activity. Just 30 minutes a day of walking can boost your 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

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”.9

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”.10

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

Where may I find Links related to Physical Activity and Health Benefits?

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Links

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Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Physical Activity: Key Facts. 26 June 2024. World Health Organization https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/physical-activity Accessed: 25 March 2025
  2. Physical Activity: Overview. 26 June 2024. World Health Organization https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/physical-activity Accessed: 25 March 2025
  3. Physical Activity: Key Facts. 26 June 2024. World Health Organization https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/physical-activity Accessed: 25 March 2025
  4. Exercise: Benefits of Exercise: Health Benefits. Page Last Reviewed: 15 August 2024. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/exercise-health-benefits/#health-benefits Accessed: 25 March 2025
  5. Physical Activity: Benefits of Staying Active. Last Updated: 11 May 2024 | Last Revised: 02 February 2024. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/healthy-ageing/physical-activity Accessed: 25 March 2025
  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: 25 March 2025
  7. Depression: How Can I Take Care of Myself? Revised: 2024. National Institute of Mental Health https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression Accessed: 25 March 2025
  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: 25 March 2025
  9. Physical Activity: Information – Getting Started. Review Date: 27 April 2023. MedlinePlus https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001941.htm Accessed: 25 March 2025
  10. Fitness: In-Depth – Exercise: 7 Benefits of Regular Physical Activity – The Bottom Line on Exercise. 26 August 2023. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/exercise/art-20048389 Accessed: 25 March 2025
Topic Last Updated: 25 March 2025 – Topic Last Reviewed: 25 March 2025

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