Abstract
The burden of chronic disease and the cost of treatment and management has skyrocketed. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 17.9 million people died from cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in 2016 making it the leading cause of death. Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally and was responsible for an estimated 9.6 million deaths in 2018, there are other chronic diseases which include obesity, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Most chronic diseases can be caused and aggravated by physical inactivity amongst other factors. However, physical activity and exercise when properly implemented demonstrate tremendous effect in the prevention and management of several chronic diseases and health related conditions. This review focuses on the role of exercise in prevention and management of chronic diseases and the biochemical mechanism underlying it.
Highlights
Chronic diseases are diseases that are not infectious, slowly progressing, prolonged and usually caused by genetics, environmental factors and poor lifestyle [1]
Physical inactivity is a modifiable risk factor that increases the risk of developing chronic diseases [5]
Lack of physical activity and poor dietary routine is associated to development of conditions such as obesity [21] and progressiveness of several lifethreatening chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, neurological diseases, metabolic diseases and immune related disorders [22]
Summary
Chronic diseases are diseases that are not infectious, slowly progressing, prolonged and usually caused by genetics, environmental factors and poor lifestyle [1]. Physical activity and exercise will both help to ameliorate and prevent chronic disease conditions. Aerobic or endurance exercise is an exercise that causes the body to use more oxygen improving cardiovascular endurance, examples include running, swimming, brisk walking, skipping rope, dancing. Regular exercise prevents condition like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and obesity, though humans exhibit varying degree of responses to exercises due to genetic differences [10]. 3. Exercise and Physical Activity in Prevention and Management of Chronic Diseases Studies have shown the efficacy of physical activities and a lifestyle of continuous exercise. Lack of physical activity and poor dietary routine is associated to development of conditions such as obesity [21] and progressiveness of several lifethreatening chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, neurological diseases, metabolic diseases and immune related disorders [22]. Some common diseases and the effect of exercise in their prevention and management are highlighted as follows
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
