Let Us Talk About Moving: Reframing the Exercise and Physical Activity Discussion

An Update on the Role of Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Structured Exercise and Lifestyle Physical Activity in Preventing Cardiovascular Disease and Health Risk

“…Unfortunately, compliance with these recommendations remain low 42,43 and the associated perceptions of an "all or nothing" concept may discourage participation in any form/quantity of ET in those that do not believe they are capable of meeting recommendation thresholds. These data, however, also demonstrated that performing regular, long-term exercise below PA recommendations provided significantly lower prevalence of CVD (0.55, 95% CI, 0.36-0.82) and CVD risk factors (0.57, 95% CI, 0.44-0.72) compared to non-exercisers, thus reinforcing the notion that any PA accumulated above sedentary levels is beneficial for reducing CVD risk 44,45 .…”

“…Although the health benefits of structured ET performed at recommended levels are clear and broadly promoted, many individuals find it difficult to comply. A wealth of data associating positive health outcomes with leisure time PA (LTPA -i.e., housework, gardening, sports, nonmotor transportation) has reinforced the notion that all forms of physical exertion benefits health 45,72,73 . The effects of LTPA also extend to individuals with CVD risk factors, such as obesity, as those that report meeting PA guidelines through moderate (3 to 5.9 METs) and vigorous (≥6 METs) LTPA have been reported to not be at an increased risk (HR 1.25; 95% CI, 0.50-3.12) for CVD mortality compared to non-obese individuals meeting PA guidelines 74 .…”

Getting patients with cardiovascular disease to move more: cardiac rehabilitation and beyond

“…One subject who led an inactive lifestyle reported 'walking her dog was a barrier to being active, which implied that she did not believe dog-walking counted as valid physical activity' [18]. These perceptions do not align with the body of evidence indicating the type or amount of physical movement needed to improve health trajectory [2]. In this context, clinicians should consider how we assess physical activity and counsel all patients move more every day.…”

“…We are rapidly gaining an appreciation of the fact that movement in general, beyond the movement derived from structured exercise training during CR, portends significant health benefits [2]. Decreasing sitting or screen viewing time and taking more steps per day are both independently associated with improved health outcomes.…”

“…Exercise is a vital medicine that every individual should be taking, from apparently healthy individuals to those diagnosed with one or more chronic conditions [1]. In fact, expanding on this paradigm, we are gaining an appreciation that all forms of physical movement are medicine [2,3]. For those diagnosed with cardiovascular disease (CVD), cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is considered a standard of care [4].…”