Cited by 1,384Physical Activity and HealthCardiovascular and exercise physiologyExercise and Physiological Responses

Evidence for prescribing exercise as therapy in chronic disease

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Pedersen, B. K., Saltin, B.·2006·Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports

Abstract

Considerable knowledge has accumulated in recent decades concerning the significance of physical activity in the treatment of a number of diseases, including diseases that do not primarily manifest as disorders of the locomotive apparatus. In this review we present the evidence for prescribing exercise therapy in the treatment of metabolic syndrome‐related disorders (insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, obesity), heart and pulmonary diseases (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary heart disease, chronic heart failure, intermittent claudication), muscle, bone and joint diseases (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome) and cancer, depression, asthma and type 1 diabetes. For each disease, we review the effect of exercise therapy on disease pathogenesis, on symptoms specific to the diagnosis, on physical fitness or strength and on quality of life. The possible mechanisms of action are briefly examined and the principles for prescribing exercise therapy are discussed, focusing on the type and amount of exercise and possible contraindications.

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  • Pedersen and Saltin concluded that exercise can have a positive impact on symptoms and physical health via investigation of multiple meta-analyses about exercise and lipid profiles.

    “Pedersen and Saltin [16] concluded that exercise can have a positive impact on symptoms and physical health via investigation of multiple meta-analyses about exercise and lipid profiles.”

    From Effects of aerobic exercise on lipids and lipoproteins (2017) · cites this paper as [16]

  • Regular physical activity offers protection against, and may be useful as a treatment for, a wide variety of chronic diseases associated with low-grade inflammation.

    “Regular physical activity offers protection against, and may be useful as a treatment for a wide variety of, chronic diseases associated with low-grade inflammation [12].”

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Research works printed but not linked: 5

  1. Dietz JH. Rehabilitaion oncology. New York: Wiley, 1981.
  2. Epstein D. Aerobic activity versus group cognitive therapy: an evaluative study of contrasting interventions for the alleviation of clinical depression [dissertation]. Reno: University of Nevada, 1986.
  3. Foxx ML, Keteyian SJ. Fox's physiological basis for exercise physiology. New York: McGraw-Hill Co, 1998.
  4. MacVicar MG, Winningham ML. Promoting the functional capacity of cancer patients. Cancer Bulletin 1986: 38: 235-239.
  5. Reuter M, Mutric N, Harris DV. Running as an adjunct to counseling in the treatment of depression [dissertation]. Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania State University, 1984.

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Authors
Pedersen, B. K., & Saltin, B.
Affiliations
University of Copenhagen (DK)
Venue
Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2006-02
Volume
16
Issue
S1
Pages
3-63
ISSN
  • 0905-7188 (ISSN-L)
  • 1600-0838
OpenAlex
W2133576538
Cited by
1,384
References
794
Citations by year
2026: 21 · 2025: 45 · 2024: 34 · 2023: 48 · 2022: 55 · 2021: 60 · 2020: 71 · 2019: 66 · 2018: 71 · 2017: 73 · 2016: 93 · 2015: 92 · 2014: 96 · 2013: 109 · 2012: 87
FWCI
7.33
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Research Foundation
  • Danmarks Grundforskningsfond (# 02-512-55)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Rehabilitation › Exercise and Physiological Responses
Keywords
exercise therapy, exercise prescription, chronic disease, physical activity, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, obesity, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary artery disease, chronic heart failure, intermittent claudication, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, cancer, depression, asthma, type 1 diabetes, mechanism of action, quality of life, physical fitness, exercise contraindications
MeSH terms
Asthma, Cardiovascular Diseases, Depression, Humans, Metabolic Diseases, Motivation, Musculoskeletal Diseases, Neoplasms, Physical Fitness, Exercise, Exercise Tolerance, Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive

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