Physical inactivity is one of the most prevalent major health risk factors, with 8
in 10 US adults not meeting aerobic and muscle-strengthening guidelines, and is associated
with a high burden of cardiovascular disease. Improving and maintaining recommended
levels of physical activity leads to reductions in metabolic, hemodynamic, functional,
body composition, and epigenetic risk factors for noncommunicable chronic diseases.
Physical activity also has a significant role, in many cases comparable or superior
to drug interventions, in the prevention and management of >40 conditions such as
diabetes mellitus, cancer, cardiovascular disease, obesity, depression, Alzheimer
disease, and arthritis. Whereas most of the modifiable cardiovascular disease risk
factors included in the American Heart Association's My Life Check - Life's Simple
7 are evaluated routinely in clinical practice (glucose and lipid profiles, blood
pressure, obesity, and smoking), physical activity is typically not assessed. The
purpose of this statement is to provide a comprehensive review of the evidence on
the feasibility, validity, and effectiveness of assessing and promoting physical activity
in healthcare settings for adult patients. It also adds concrete recommendations for
healthcare systems, clinical and community care providers, fitness professionals,
the technology industry, and other stakeholders in order to catalyze increased adoption
of physical activity assessment and promotion in healthcare settings and to contribute
to meeting the American Heart Association's 2020 Impact Goals.