Exercise Influences Physiological Function and Disease Risk

Sedentary behavior has emerged as a potential risk factor for cardiometabolic health, chronic disease, and mortality. While exercise has a range of benefits, from bone and muscle health to improved mood, cognition, and weight management, it may not be enough to combat the effects of a predominantly sedentary lifestyle. Therefore, optimizing a patient's lifestyle factors becomes a "big picture" approach. Short bursts of low-impact, low-interval exercise is a great starting point for engaging patients in daily movement. Combined with better nutrition and improved sleep quality, consistent exercise, no matter the duration, can positively influence a patient's health outcomes.

Only half of US adults meet the guidelines for aerobic physical activity.¹ Only 1 in 4 adults and 1 in 5 adolescents meet the guidelines for both aerobic and muscle-strengthening activity.^1,2

An estimated 110,000 deaths per year could be prevented if US adults aged 40 and older increased their moderate-to-vigorous physical activity by a small amount. Even 10 minutes more a day would make a difference.³

People who engage in sufficient levels of aerobic activity are about 30% less likely to die from any cause. The lowest risk of dying occurs in those who have between 150 and 300 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity.⁴

Vigorously active men and women lived 6.3 years longer in good health and 2.9 years longer without chronic diseases between ages 50 and 75 compared to inactive individuals.⁵

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