American Society for Preventive Cardiology – Clinical Practice Statement

The American Journal of Preventive Cardiology published on October 13, 2022 – Physical Activity, Cardio-respiratory Fitness and Cardiovascular Health: A clinical practice statement of the American Society for Preventive Cardiology: Physical Activity, cardio-respiratory fitness, minimum and goal intensities for exercise training, prescriptive methods, and special patient populations

This “State-of-the-Art Review” included citations of supportive published research findings and conclusions from 167 published studies in acknowledged, reputable, medical and exercise physiology scientific journals.

The purpose and recommendation of the “clinical practice statement” was summarized in the introductory comments as follows:

- The prescription of exercise for individuals with and without cardiovascular disease (CVD) should be scientifically-based yet adapted to the patient. This scientific statement reviews the clinical and physiologic basis for the prescription of exercise, with specific reference to the volume of physical activity (PA) and level of cardio-respiratory fitness (CRF) that confer significant and optimal cardio-protective benefits.
- The volume of regular physical activity (PA) and measured level of cardio-respiratory fitness (CRF) of an individual reduces their risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Accordingly, low levels of physical activity or habitual physical inactivity and corresponding low levels of measured cardio-respiratory fitness (CRF) increase the individual’s risk of CHD.

The following conclusions were offered:

- Although physical inactivity represents a leading cause of death worldwide, the beneficial effects of structured exercise and/or increased lifestyle physical activity (PA) are often underestimated by many clinicians and the public at large.
- Consequently, the health burden of physical inactivity continues to grow with technological advances, suboptimal community landscape planning and inadequate emphasis during most clinical encounters. The latter represents missed opportunities to counsel individuals using proven behavioral interventions to combat our increasingly hypokinetic (i.e. too little regular/ habitual movement or activity by individuals) environment.
- Clinicians and allied health professionals play a trusted and influential role in counseling their patients to be more physically active. These efforts should be complemented by making self-responsibility of the patient (i.e. meeting certain incentivized health metrics such as regular “moderate and vigorous physical activity“) a greater priority in the evolving health care coverage environment.
- The prescription of exercise has become increasingly scientific. Guidelines are available regarding the appropriate intensity, frequency and duration of exercise…… However, the key beneficiary is often overlooked – the patient. Consequently, maintaining the commitment (of the patient) can be challenging, leading to a decline in exercise adherence and effectiveness (by the patient).
- Accordingly, for the vast majority of patients who are not physically active, the prescription ( of achievable and safe regular and habitual “physical activity” ) remains unfilled.

This Clinical Practice Statement can be viewed at the link, below.

Amer-Journ-Prevent-Cardio-101322

This “State-of-the-Art Review” included citations of supportive published research findings and conclusions from 167 published studies in acknowledged, reputable, medical and exercise physiology scientific journals.

The purpose and recommendation of the “clinical practice statement” was summarized in the introductory comments as follows:

The following conclusions were offered:

Although physical inactivity represents a leading cause of death worldwide, the beneficial effects of structured exercise and/or increased lifestyle physical activity (PA) are often underestimated by many clinicians and the public at large.

Accordingly, for the vast majority of patients who are not physically active, the prescription ( of achievable and safe regular and habitual “physical activity” ) remains unfilled.