Prevention

Physical Activity

2.1 Introduction

Physical activity is a fundamental component for the prevention of chronic disease and to promote longevity. Individuals who engage in regular moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity experience a 20–30% reduction in all-cause mortality, regardless of other lifestyle factors (Reiner et al., 2013; Samitz et al., 2011). Sedentary behaviour is on the rise and is an under-recognised, independent risk factor for chronic disease.

The World Health Organization’s guidelines, based on such large-scale evidence, recommend a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week for adults, given the strong associations with lower risks of cardiovascular disease, stroke, mental health, musculoskeletal health, and many cancers (World Health Organization, 2010).

As well as its role in prevention, physical activity also plays a pivotal role in the management of established chronic conditions. Structured exercise interventions improve glycaemic control in people with type 2 diabetes (Umpierre et al., 2011), reduce blood pressure in individuals with hypertension (Cornelissen 2013), enhance quality of life in those with cardiovascular disease, improves time to recovery from surgery (NHS England, 2024) and is a first line treatment for anxiety and depression (National Institute For Health and Care Excellence, 2022). Importantly, even modest increases in physical activity among previously inactive adults are associated with significant health benefits (Ekelund et al., 2019).

Emerging evidence has shed light on the powerful impact of physical activity on lifespan in addition to healthspan. Engaging in the recommended 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week is associated with an increase in life expectancy of approximately 3 to 4 years compared to sedentary individuals (Reiner et al., 2013; Samitz et al., 2011). Notably, even adults performing just 75 minutes of brisk walking per week—half the recommended minimum—may gain up to 1.8 years of additional life (Ekelund et al., 2019).

 

 

Yet the proportion of people meeting exercise guidelines remains very low, UK data show:

  • Over one-third of adults do not meet the WHO guidelines on physical activity
  • Less than half of adults meet the guidelines on muscle-strengthening activity for older adults
  • Over a quarter of the adult population are classified as inactive
  • Almost one-third of children and young people are inactive, doing less than 30 minutes of activity per day.

There is a strong economic argument for societies being more physically active. Physically inactivity leads to a reduced ability to participate in society socially and economically. In the UK alone, physical activity’s role in preventing physical and mental health conditions provided over £9.5 billion to the economy in 2019 (Social and Economic Value of Community Sport and Physical Activity in England), of which:

  • £5.2 billion was in healthcare savings
  • £3.6 billion was solely from diabetes prevention
  • £3.5 billion was solely from dementia prevention
  • £450 million was saved from prevention of GP visits
  • £1.7 billion was in social care savings
  1. 2.1 Introduction
  2. 2.2 A strategy for physical activity
    1. 2.2.1 Considerations by generational group
  3. 2.3 Policy
    1. 2.3.1 Key policy interventions
  4. 2.4 Private sector
    1. 2.4.1 Workplace interventions
    2. 2.4.2 Educational environments
    3. 2.4.3 The wider environment
    4. 2.4.4 Technology and physical activity
    5. 2.4.5 Personalisation of physical activity