Health benefits of physical activity: Why should we be active?
Physical activity
The health benefits of physical activity are numerous, significant, and well
documented. People who are regularly physically active have better health and a
lower risk of developing a variety of chronic diseases than people who are inactive.
More active adults have lower rates of all-cause mortality, coronary artery
disease, high blood pressure, stroke, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, colon
cancer, breast cancer, and depression. Additionally, compared with less active
people, physically active adults have higher levels of cardiorespiratory (aerobic)
and muscular fitness, more favorable body composition and body mass, better
quality sleep, and better health-related quality of life for older adults; regular
physical activity is also associated with higher levels of functional health, lower
risk of falls, and improved cognitive function. In children and youth, regular
participation in physical activity is associated with better cardiorespiratory
and muscular fitness, bone health, and body mass and composition (Physical
Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee Report, 2008).
People who are the least active have the highest risk for a number of
negative health outcomes, and evidence suggests that as little as one hour per
week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity can reduce risk of all-cause
mortality and coronary artery disease (Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory
Committee Report, 2008).
This chapter sets out the benefits of walking, presents national physical
activity guidelines and recommendations from several countries, discusses
physical activity prevalence, costs associated with inactivity, cost savings of
regular physical activity, the relevance of dog walking in these contexts, and
how dog walking may motivate walking as a physical activity.