Physical Fitness, Physical Activity and Longevity

Overview

Physical inactivity has been shown as an independent risk factor, whose consequences can bemanifested in several chronic disease. In the WHO study Global Burden of Disease it holds theseventh place of ten main risk factors of human mortality and disability. Conversely physicalactivity and physical fitness is inversely associated with all-cause mortality and morbidity fromseveral chronic diseases. As predictor of all-cause mortality physical fitness, expressed asmaximal oxygen uptake, or physical activity as energy output can be used. But there is notagreement on the form, intensity, frequency of recommended optimal physical activity. Suggestionsoscillate between low leisure time activity such as family walking, golf or gardening toexact by calculated prescriptions expressed in physical units. From a large number of epidemiologicalstudies it could be established, that physical activity, which can really influence themorbidity, must be long-term and of certain known intensity and quantityAs the most prevalent recommendation the following can be mentioned: Aerobic exercise ata level of 50-70% of the maximal heart rate, intensity of 5-6 METs with 1500 kcal energy outputper week. This quantity of work represents a 24km walk at a speed of 5-6 km/h. Long-termobservation studies calculate the survival benefits of about two years in initially healthy menwho expended 2000 kcal per week and 1-6 years in those with a 1500 kcal expenditure.

Key words:
physical fitness - physical activity - prediction of all-cause mortality.