PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH : EXPLORING THE BENEFITS, TIMING, AND DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
Main Article Content
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are a leading global health threat, with over 40% of cases linked to metabolic risk factors such as obesity, blood lipid abnormalities, and glucose dysregulation. Sedentary behavior (SB) is a major modifiable risk factor for CVD, with physical activity (PA) recommended to mitigate this risk. The World Health Organization’s guidelines suggest adults engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity PA weekly, but the effectiveness of PA varies with individual health conditions.This review analyzed research articles from PubMed and Google Scholar, focusing on free full-text studies published in English since January 2000. Key search terms included "Physical Activity AND Cardiovascular Disease" and "Sedentary Behavior AND Cardiovascular Disease." Selected studies were evaluated to determine the impact of different types, intensities, and durations of PA on CVD risk.Evidence indicates that sedentary time exacerbates CVD risk in inactive individuals, whereas high levels of PA can counteract these risks. Activities like walking, running, and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) provide significant cardiovascular benefits. Evening exercise may improve glycemic control and lipid metabolism, while the benefits of PA vary with age, gender, and race/ethnic background. The dose-response relationship suggests that moderate PA reduces coronary heart disease (CHD) risk by 20-25%, with high PA reducing risk by 30-35%.Regular PA is crucial for reducing CVD risk and improving health outcomes. Various forms of PA offer distinct cardiovascular benefits, and the timing of exercise can influence its effectiveness. The review highlights the need for personalized PA recommendations and further research on dose-response relationships, population-specific impacts, and the role of physical fitness.