Health promotion: Physical fitness and exercise.

The American lifestyle is still relatively sedentary. The proportion of adults aged 18 to 65 regularly exercising has been estimated at just over 35 percent, with children participating in daily physical education programs at 33 percent, and 36 percent of adults over 65 taking regular walks. Though the past decade has exhibited a resurgence of interest in physical fitness and exercise, there is much need for improvement. Awareness of the benefits of regular exercise and what is considered to be appropriate physical activity (e.g., aerobic for cardiovascular conditioning) is limited. Most people do not exercise in the manner necessary to achieve maximum benefits. Further, exercise as a therapeutic regimen has also been largely ignored by health professionals. Although the health benefits accrued from exercise have not been fully assessed, continuing research has suggested that appropriate physical activity can enhance approaches to the treatment and prevention of heart disease, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, musculoskeletal problems, stress, anxiety, and depression. Health and economic benefits are achievable, but there is need for cooperative efforts in the public and private sectors to support research and increase the public's awareness of and participation in regular physical fitness and exercise activities.