Development of Public Policy and Physical Activity Initiatives Internationally

Abstract

Epidemiological, pathological, clinical, and experimental studies over the past 40 years convincingly show that physical inactivity and low physical fitness contribute substantially to the major chronic diseases prevalent in industrialised societies. Several industrialised countries around the world report increases in physical activity participation among adults in recent years, but the prevalence of inactivity remains high. These increases in voluntary exercise are at least partially offset by decreasing daily energy demands due to increased mechanisation at home, at work and during leisure-time. In developing countries, physical inactivity is becoming a prevalent lifestyle due to rapid social and economic changes. Clinical interventions and mass appeals to be more physically active are limited in effectiveness against the background of increasingly sedentary lifestyles. Exercise scientists and public health officials need to turn attention to public policy and legislative initiatives to restructure physical and social environments to encourage more physical activity and discourage sedentary habits.

Effects of a short-term differently dosed aerobic exercise on maximum aerobic capacity in breast cancer survivors: A pilot study

“…The greatest difference in mortality due to cardiovascular disease and some types of cancer recorded between categories of sedentary (little or no physically active persons) and the first following categories of physically active, or when sedentary people become moderately physically active 39 . To improve overall health status it is enough to reach and maintain the average level of aerobic capacity 32 .…”

“…Epidemiological studies in the second half of the 20th century confirmed a dose dependent link between physical activity and physical fitness [37][38][39][40] . The greatest difference in mortality due to cardiovascular disease and some types of cancer recorded between categories of sedentary (little or no physically active persons) and the first following categories of physically active, or when sedentary people become moderately physically active 39 .…”

Variables independently associated with self-reported obesity in the European Union

“…However, the contents of health promotion activities could vary according to the differences related to age, gender and other socioeconomic and cultural variables of the targeted populations 51,56 . In any case, prescribing exercise for health by physicians and other health professionals may be beneficial in primary care 57,58 , while scientists and public health officials need to turn attention to public policy and legislative initiatives to restructure social environments to encourage more physical activity and discourage sedentary and other unhealthy habits 2,7,[59][60][61] .…”

Perfil fisiológico de uma aula de body step

“…Muitos estudos têm revelado que a realização de atividade física diária é essencial para a melhora da saúde e da qualidade de vida do indivíduo, pois o sedentarismo está associado ao aparecimento de algumas enfermidades, principalmente as doenças cardiovasculares (BLAIR et al, 1996;MATSUDO et al, 2002). Nessa perspectiva, a melhoria da aptidão cardiorrespiratória, o aumento da massa muscular magra, a promoção da saúde, o bemestar e as questões estéticas têm sido os fatores apontados como os responsáveis por levar as pessoas a aderirem a um programa de exercício físico (MATSUDO et al, 2002).…”