Focus on: Promotion of Cardiovascular Health (IV)Physical Exercise and HealthEjercicio físico y salud
Section snippets
INTRODUCTION
The human body, and particularly the cardiovascular system, is the result of an evolutionary process aimed at increasing resistance to the environment. Current understanding of the physiology of different species indicates that humans developed their systems evolutionarily, compared with reptiles, amphibians, and even other mammals, to become more resistant to a lack of food or water and prolonged physical activity.1 However, the progressive increase in life expectancy and certain lifestyle and
EPIDEMIOLOGY
A sedentary lifestyle is defined as one that does not comply with the recommendations for the practice of physical activity of moderate intensity for a minimum of 30 min 5 days a week or of high intensity for a minimum of 20 min 3 days a week.9 In recent decades, the prevalence of sedentary individuals has slightly decreased; although somewhat contrasting data have been reported, between 20% and 40% of the population can be considered sedentary.10, 11, 12, 13 Moreover, although knowledge of
PROTECTIVE MECHANISMS OF SPORT
Physical exercise is defined as any body movements produced by the locomotor system to contract and relax muscles that involve energy consumption. This movement generally increases oxygen and nutrient use by the muscles. Muscle adaptation to exercise is the basis of exercise training, and is measured both by the adaptation and development of muscle fibers and by changes in their metabolism, chiefly in mitochondria.17 Muscle adaptation is a complex and poorly understood process that involves
SAFETY IN SPORT
Improved reporting and awareness of sports-related deaths and cardiac arrests have generated a growing concern over safety during physical activity. Sudden death is the most serious event that can occur during physical activity and poses the greatest preventive challenge for professionals who recommend physical exercise and who supervise athletes. A suggested representative diagram of the relationship between the amount of exercise and the risk of cardiovascular disease or serious
CONCLUSIONS
Sport has a wide variety of beneficial effects on health, many of which are related to protection against cardiovascular diseases.
CONFLICTS OF INTERESTS
None declared.
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