Physical activity, exercise and adverse cardiovascular outcomes in individuals with pre-existing cardiovascular disease: a narrative review

Figures & data

Table 1. Classification of physical activity intensity.

	Light-intensity	Moderate intensity	Vigorous-intensity
METs	1.1–2.9	3.0–5.9	≥6
Examples	Walking <4.7 km/hr, bicycling < 5 mph, stretching, light weight training, dancing slowly, light yard and housework	Walking at moderate or brisk pace (4.16.5 km/h), slow cycling (15 km/h), painting/decorating, vacuuming, gardening (mowing lawn), golf (pulling clubs in trolley), tennis (doubles), ballroom dancing, water aerobics, weight training	Race-walking, jogging, or running, cycling >15 km/h, heavy gardening (continuous digging or hoeing), swimming laps, tennis (singles), squash or racquetball, rowing, cross-country skiing

Metabolic equivalents (METs) is estimated as the energy cost of a given activity divided by resting energy expenditure: 1 MET = 3.5 3.5 ml of oxygen uptake per kilogram of body weight per minute for the average adult.

Figure 1. Proposed mechanistic pathways underlying the associations between regular physical activity and reduced risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes.

HDL-C, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; LDL-C, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; TC, total cholesterol.