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Cited by 8,007Physical Activity and HealthCardiovascular and exercise physiologySports and Physical Education Studies

Health benefits of physical activity: the evidence

Open access
Warburton, D. E.R.·2006·Canadian Medical Association Journal
DOI 10.1503/cmaj.051351PMC PMC1402378
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Abstract

The primary purpose of this narrative review was to evaluate the current literature and to provide further insight into the role physical inactivity plays in the development of chronic disease and premature death. We confirm that there is irrefutable evidence of the effectiveness of regular physical activity in the primary and secondary prevention of several chronic diseases (e.g., cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, hypertension, obesity, depression and osteoporosis) and premature death. We also reveal that the current Health Canada physical activity guidelines are sufficient to elicit health benefits, especially in previously sedentary people. There appears to be a linear relation between physical activity and health status, such that a further increase in physical activity and fitness will lead to additional improvements in health status.

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174 of 174 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • It is well documented that physical activity has considerable beneficial effects on overall health, protecting against individual physical morbidities and improving psychological well-being by reducing stress, anxiety, and depression.

    “It is well documented that physical activity has considerable beneficial ef­ fects on overall health, protecting against individual physical morbid­ ities and improving psychological well-being by reducing stress, anxiety, and depression (Warburton et al., 2006).”

    From Psychosocial risk and protective factors associated with burnout in police officers: A systematic review (2023) · cites this paper as Warburton et al., 2006

  • Physical fitness, which is related to total physical activity levels, is generally regarded as the single best predictor of all-cause mortality, independent of disease state.

    “Thus, it is unsurprising that physical fitness, which ultimately is related to total PA levels, is generally regarded as the single best predictor of all-cause mortality, independent of disease state.12”

    From Reduced physical activity in young and older adults: Metabolic and musculoskeletal implications (2019) · cites this paper as [12]

  • Regular physical activity and/or exercise tailored to improve cardiorespiratory fitness has significant health benefits such as reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity.

    “Regular physical activity and/or exercise that is tailored to improve cardiorespiratory fitness, such as walking, dancing, or cycling, has significant health benefits such as reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity (28).”

    From Exercise Intervention in PTSD: A Narrative Review and Rationale for Implementation (2019) · cites this paper as [28]

  • Aerobic exercise is a low-cost, widely accessible activity known to provide multiple health benefits, including cardiovascular health and musculoskeletal health, as well as reduced rates of co-morbidity and mortality.

    “Aerobic exercise is a low-cost, widely accessible activity known to provide multiple health benefits, including cardiovascular health and musculoskeletal health, as well as reduced rates of co-morbidity and mortality”

    From Exercise Intervention in PTSD: A Narrative Review and Rationale for Implementation (2019) · cites this paper as [28]

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Research works printed but not linked: 5

  1. [72]72. Courneya KS, Jones LW, Fairey AS, et al. Physical activity in cancer survivors: impli- cations for recurrence and mortality. Cancer Therapy 2004;2:1-12.
  2. [75]75. Cunningham AJ, Edmonds CV, Jenkins GP, et al. A randomized controlled trial of the effects of group psychological therapy on survival in women with metastatic breast cancer. Psychooncology 1998;7:508-17.
  3. [112]112. Brown JP, Josse RG. 2002 clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and man- agement of osteoporosis in Canada [published errata in CMAJ 2003;168(4):400, 2003;168(6):676 and 2003;168(5):544]. CMAJ 2002;167(10 Suppl):S1-34.
  4. [137]137. Warburton DER, Gledhill N, Jamnik V, et al. Induced hypervolemia, cardiac func- tion, VO 2max and performance of elite cyclists. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1999;31:800-8.
  5. [145]145. Ferreira I, Twisk JW, Stehouwer CD, et al. Longitudinal changes in VO 2max : associa- tions with carotid IMT and arterial stiffness. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2003;35:1670-8.

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Authors
Warburton, D. E. R.
Affiliations
University of British Columbia (CA)
Corresponding author
Warburton, D. E.R.
ORCID
Warburton, D. E.R.
Venue
Canadian Medical Association Journal
Publisher
CMA Joule Inc.
Published
2006-03-14
Volume
174
Issue
6
Pages
801-809
ISSN
  • 0820-3946 (ISSN-L)
  • 1488-2329
DOI
10.1503/cmaj.051351
PMC
PMC1402378
OpenAlex
W2128621051
Cited by
8,007
References
174
Citations by year
2026: 275 · 2025: 437 · 2024: 486 · 2023: 479 · 2022: 482 · 2021: 623 · 2020: 539 · 2019: 566 · 2018: 575 · 2017: 487 · 2016: 510 · 2015: 473 · 2014: 414 · 2013: 411 · 2012: 319
FWCI
15.21
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Canadian Medical Association Journal (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Michael Smith Health Research BC
  • Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
  • Social Sciences › Life-span and Life-course Studies › Sports and Physical Education Studies
Keywords
physical activity, physical inactivity, chronic disease prevention, premature mortality, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, cancer, hypertension, obesity, depression, osteoporosis, physical activity guidelines, sedentary individuals, dose-response relationship, health benefits
MeSH terms
Cardiovascular Diseases, Chronic Disease, Diabetes Mellitus, Health Status, Humans, Life Expectancy, Neoplasms, Physical Fitness, Health Behavior, Exercise

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