Cooper institute / the american college of sports medicine: 1997 physical activity interventions conference

Abstract

Physical inactivity is recognized as a major public health problem in the United States and throughout much of the world. 1 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion: Physical activity and health: A report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta, Georgia; 1996. Google Scholar , 2 NIH Consensus Development Panel on Physical Activity and Cardiovascular HealthNIH Consensus Conference Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Health. JAMA. 1996; 276: 241-246 Crossref PubMed Google Scholar , 3 Pate R.R. Pratt M. Blair S.N. et al. Physical activity and public health A recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American College of Sports Medicine. JAMA. 1995; 273: 402-407 Crossref PubMed Scopus (5881) Google Scholar As many as one third of the deaths in the United States from coronary heart disease, colon cancer, and type-2 diabetes can be attributed to sedentary living habits. 4 Powell K.E. Blair S.N. The public health burdens of sedentary living habits Theoretical but realistic estimates. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1994; 26: 851-856 Crossref PubMed Google Scholar Hundreds, if not thousands, of well-controlled trials over the past 40 years provide evidence on the physiological adaptations to exercise training. We now have sufficient data to specifically quantify the dose of exercise that will produce these adaptations, and this work has led to the development of an exercise prescription for the development and maintenance of physiological fitness adaptations. 5 American College of Sports Medicine Position StandThe recommended quantity and quality of exercise for developing and maintaining cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness, and flexibility in healthy adults. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1998; 30: 975-991 Crossref PubMed Scopus (2556) Google Scholar This exercise prescription specifies the recommended amount of exercise in terms of: Frequency, 3 to 5 times per week; Intensity, from 40%–50% to 85% of maximal aerobic power; and Duration, 20 to 60 minutes per session. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and other groups have promoted the use of the exercise prescription model for broad applications in clinical settings, controlled exercise programs, and the general public. Unfortunately, less than 15% of adults in the United States exercise regularly at the recommended level, 1 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion: Physical activity and health: A report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta, Georgia; 1996. Google Scholar and the situation is comparable in several other countries. 6 Oja P. Descriptive epidemiology of health-related physical activity and fitness. Res Q Exerc Sport. 1995; 66: 303-312 Crossref PubMed Scopus (23) Google Scholar