Abstract
Physical inactivity is a primary cause of most chronic noncommunicable diseases. Sufficient daily physical activity (PA) in childhood, in adulthood and in advanced age is associated with aerobic fitness.
Better-than-average VO2 max could mean that fitness age is younger than calendar age in years. Reported increased levels of PA and fitness were found reducing in relative risk of death.
Important question is - how much physical activity do adults need? Adults need at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity and muscle- strengthening activities work of all major muscle groups on 2 or more days a week. For additional health benefits, adults should increase their moderate-intensity aerobic PA to 300 minutes per week, or engage in 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic PA per week, or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity.
Elderly subjects should include exercises to enhance balance. When older adults cannot do the recommended amounts of PA due to health conditions, they shouldbe as physically active as their abilities allow.
In some subjects the incorporation of high intensity interval training (HIIT) into a general conditioning program will optimize the development of cardiorespiratory fitness.