ABSTRACT
Physical activity The health benets of physical activity far outweigh possible harmful effects. Muscular and skeletal injuries are the most common complications, which fortunately can be avoided with proper safety and warmup techniques. Less common, although more serious, are cardiac events, including sudden cardiac death and myocardial infarction, both more commonly associated with vigorous physical activity. However, the overall risk of sudden cardiac death is quite low, occurring in less than one per million episodes of vigorous exertion and even less frequently in those who are physically t and who engage in regular vigorous physical activity.1 Myocardial infarction, although a more common event, also occurs less frequently in physically t people and in those who regularly engage in vigorous physical activity. Unfortunately, society has progressively become more sedentary, a problem of particular concern in adolescents.2 This lifestyle may be responsible for as many as one-third of deaths due to coronary heart disease.3
