Clinical Applications for Exercise

Abstract

In brief: The body adapts to regular exercise by making central and peripheral physiologic adjustments. Although exercise doesn't reverse pathologic changes, it may play a significant role in the management of certain diseases. Thus physicians can prescribe exercise as therapy. For example, exercise increases calorie consumption but conserves lean body mass, which is an important consideration in the management of obesity. Exercise also has been shown to lower blood pressure—a desirable outcome for patients with hypertension. Similarly, diabetic patients may benefit from regular exercise because it improves glucose tolerance. The author discusses these and other interactions between physiology and exercise and their application to treatment of specific diseases.