Document Type

Article

Abstract

It is well established that exercise improves cardiovascular and all-cause mortality, although an ideal dose of exercise is not known. The physical activity guidelines currently recommend 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity. Most individuals do not engage in adequate exercise, although a safe upper limit does not exist and a too much exercise hypothesis has recently emerged. This review of the literature analyzes studies that have evaluated exercise dose response on all-cause and cardiovascular mortality for the purpose of determining safe and effective exercise prescriptions. Searches were performed in PubMed and CINAHL between 2010 and 2018 to identify six studies that met inclusion criteria. Moderate-intensity exercise reduced all-cause mortality in five of six studies, whereas low-dose exercise most effectively improved all-cause mortality in three studies, and cardiovascular mortality in one study. Vigorous-intensity exercise or extreme doses demonstrated variable outcomes and remain controversial; two studies found vigorous-intensity exercise beneficial to improve health, two studies discouraged vigorous exercise, and two studies had less conclusive outcomes. It is not surprising that any amount of exercise improves health compared with none at all, with the greatest benefits observed when sedentary individuals began exercising. Low-dose exercise should be recommended to everyone with a goal of meeting the minimal requirements according to guidelines for decreased all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Additional research to more thoroughly understand exercise dose response and motivate individuals to improve exercise engagement is currently warranted.

DOI

10.1177/1084822319831929

Publication Date

2-25-2019

Original Citation

Moxley, E. and Habtzghi, D. (2019). A comparison of exercise dose response: A systematic review. Home Health Care Management & Practice. Published online February 25, 2019. DOI:10.1177/1084822319831929

Legacy Department

School of Nursing and Health Studies

Language

eng

Publisher

Home Health Care Management & Practice

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Share

COinS
 
 

To view the content in your browser, please download Adobe Reader or, alternately,
you may Download the file to your hard drive.

NOTE: The latest versions of Adobe Reader do not support viewing PDF files within Firefox on Mac OS and if you are using a modern (Intel) Mac, there is no official plugin for viewing PDF files within the browser window.