Physical activity linked to prevention of 26 chronic diseases

Regular physical activity has been linked to the management and prevention of 26 chronic conditions. Research summarized by Danish scientists Bente Klarlund Pedersen and Bengt Saltin indicates that movement can assist in treating or reducing the risk of ailments ranging from hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and osteoporosis to depression, Parkinson’s disease, and various oncological diseases.

Physiologist Eva Piatriková notes that aerobic activity provides robust benefits for the cardiovascular system by lowering blood pressure and improving cholesterol profiles. Furthermore, muscle contraction helps regulate blood glucose levels by improving insulin sensitivity, which is critical for managing type 2 diabetes.

In addition to general exercise, a large-scale analysis of data from over 450,000 individuals conducted by researchers from the University of East Anglia and Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital highlights the specific benefits of climbing stairs. The study suggests that regular stair climbing is associated with a 24% lower risk of death from any cause and a 39% lower risk of death from cardiovascular diseases compared to those who use stairs less frequently.