Does everyone benefit equally from physical activity?

Regular physical activity is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer, and with longevity.¹ Studies on physical activity and health have initially been based on observational studies with small sample sizes.² Nowadays, the study quality has improved and includes laboratory-based studies with controlled interventions, albeit with limited external validity, as well as longitudinal studies with hard outcomes such as cardiovascular morbidity. Global recommendations for regular physical activity have been developed based on self-reported exercise levels. Such recommendations typically include the same advice for everyone (ie, 150 min per week of moderate intensity exercise).³