ABSTRACT
Regular physical activity and exercise are linked to improved physical and psychological health through all human developmental stages in both normal and disordered populations. Experimental studies demonstrate that regular exercise improves risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as physical fitness, blood lipids, blood pressure, and body composition in children, adolescents, and middle-aged and older adults (Cauley et al., 1986; Jennings et al., 1986; Wood, Stefanick, Williams, & Haskell, 1991). Furthermore, exercise has an important role in the treatment of CHD, hypertension, non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), depression, and anxiety. The preponderance of research has examined the relation between physical activity and cardiovascular disease and because of the strength of these studies, the American Heart Association issued a statement in 1992 recognizing physical inactivity as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (Fletcher et al., 1992). Although not as extensive as the evidence for prevention of cardiovascular disease, regular physical activity is correlated with the prevention and treatment of other diseases including some cancers, obesity, osteoporosis, and depression (Bouchard, Shephard, & Stephens, 1994).
