Recent Statements and Initiatives on Physical Activity and Health

Abstract

Official pronouncements on the health implications of physical activity have been issued by several prestigious scientific and medical societies in recent years. This paper reviews the background that has led to the issuance of these statements and summarizes several of the statements. Statements issued by the American Heart Association and the American College of Sports Medicine during the 1970s focused on guidelines for the use of exercise in cardiac rehabilitation and fitness program settings. More recent statements issued by these organizations and others have addressed the role of physical activity in preventing disease and promoting the public health. As such, emphasis has shifted from endorsement of structured exercise to support of public health interventions to promote physical activity through environmental, policy, and personal lifestyle modifications.