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Table 2 Summary of strong evidence for health effects of physical activity and sedentary behaviour

From: The 2017 Dutch Physical Activity Guidelines

Health effects of physical activity

Population group

Cohort research

Physical activity is associated with a lower risk of:

RCTs

Physical activity has a beneficial effect on:

Adults

 Convincing

Depressive symptoms

Depressive symptoms

Cardiovascular disease

Blood pressure

Fat mass

Abdominal circumference

Diabetes

Weight

Insulin sensitivity

Diabetes (1 study)

 Plausible

Breast cancer

Colorectal cancer

Premature mortality

Older adults

 Convincing

Fractures, especially hip fractures

Fractures

Muscle strength

Fat-free mass

Walking speed

 Plausible

Dementia, cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease

 

Disability

Children

 Convincing

Depressive symptoms

Depressive symptoms

Cardiorespiratory fitness

Muscle strength

Insulin sensitivity

Weight and fat mass in children with overweight or obesity

Bone quality

Health effects of sedentary behaviour

Population group

Cohort research

Sedentary behaviour is associated with an increased risk of:

Adults

 Plausible

Death from cardiovascular disease

Premature mortality