Physical Activity and Health Guidelines

Riva L. Rahl, MD, is medical director of the Cooper Wellness Program at the Cooper Aerobics Center in Dallas, Texas, where she counsels patients and clients regarding appropriate physical activity programs. Board certified in both internal and emergency medicine, Rahl is a staff physician at the Cooper Clinic in Dallas and was previously chief resident in emergency medicine at the University of Texas Southwestern (Parkland) Hospital. She is a member of the American College of Sports Medicine, the American College of Physicians, and USA Track and Field. She received her medical doctorate from the University of California at San Francisco in 1999. Now a competitive marathoner, Rahl was a four-year varsity athlete in cross country and track and field at Rice University (Division I), where she studied biochemistry and exercise science. She has won several races, including the Dallas White Rock Marathon in 2000 and the Fort Worth Cowtown Marathon in 2000, 2002, and 2008. Rahl and her husband, Brian, and two young sons reside in Dallas. Rahl enjoys training for race day, caring for her children, and traveling internationally.

Part I: General Health and Fitness Guidelines Chapter 1: Exploring the Relationship Between Physical Activity and Health History and Development of Physical Activity Guidelines Basic Concepts and Definitions Changes and Benefits Resulting From Physical Activity Risks of Physical Activity Patterns in Physical Activity Participation Summary Chapter 2: Exercise Guidelines for Physical Fitness and Health Most Recent National Guidelines in the United States Significant Historical Guidelines Specialized Guidelines State and International Guidelines Summary Chapter 3: Guidelines for Personal Exercise Programs Basic Definitions and the FITT Principle Components of Physical Fitness Guidelines for Individualized Exercise Prescription Summary Part II: Physical Activity Guidelines by Population Chapter 4: Infants and Toddlers Guidelines From the American Academy of Pediatrics Guidelines From Other Organizations Guidelines for Prevention of Obesity and Chronic Disease Physical Activity as Play and Nutritional Goals for Children Summary Chapter 5: School-Aged Children Basic Facts About Physical Activity and Health in Children Establishment of the Earliest Guidelines for Children Landmark Guidelines School and Community Health Guidelines Guidelines Outside of the School Environment International and State Guidelines Guidelines Focused on Specific Health Goals Summary Chapter 6: Pregnant and Postpartum Women Encouraging Pregnant Women to Be Physically Active Benefits and Risks of Physical Activity for Pregnant Women Primary Concerns of Exercise and Physical Activity During Pregnancy Guidelines for General Exercise Prescription Important National and International Guidelines Benefits and Risks of Physical Activity During the Postpartum Period Summary Chapter 7: Older Adults Benefits of Physical Activity for Older Adults Major National Guidelines Other National Guidelines International and State Guidelines Guidelines for Adults Who Are Frail or at Risk for Falling Contraindications to Exercise Summary Part III: Physical Activity Guidelines by Disease States Chapter 8: Cancer Prevention and Optimal Cardiometabolic Health How Exercise Reduces the Risks of Cancer General Cancer Prevention Guidelines Guidelines for Specific Types of Cancer Metabolic Syndrome Type 2 Diabetes Summary Chapter 9: Cancer Benefits of Physical Activity American Cancer Society Guidelines Other Notable Guidelines Guidelines for Specific Cancers Side Effects of Cancer Affecting Physical Activity Summary Chapter 10: Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease Benefits of Exercise for Hypertension American College of Sports Medicine Guidelines International Guidelines Guidelines for Coronary Artery Disease Summary Chapter 11: Arthritis and Osteoporosis Rheumatoid Arthritis Osteoarthritis General Arthritis Guidelines Osteoarthritis Guidelines Osteoporosis Guidelines for Prevention of Osteoporosis Guidelines for Individuals With Osteoporosis Summary Chapter 12: Diabetes Benefits of Physical Activity for Preventing and Managing Diabetes Potential Concerns Regarding Physical Activity Guidelines for Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes Guidelines for Individuals With Type 1 Diabetes Summary Chapter 13: Neuromuscular Disorders Benefits of Physical Activity General Recommendations From Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans Guidelines for Cerebral Palsy Guidelines for Parkinson's Disease Guidelines for Muscular Dystrophy Guidelines for Multiple Sclerosis Guidelines for Spinal Cord Injury and Disability Guidelines for Stroke and Brain Injury Summary Chapter 14: Asthma Exercise-Induced Asthma General Guidelines for People With Asthma Guidelines for Children With Asthma Summary Part IV: Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription and Beyond Chapter 15: Exercise Testing and Prescription Standards for Exercise Testing in Adults Benefits of Exercise Testing for Children Summary Chapter 16: Cardiac Exercise Testing and Prescription Candidates for Testing Utility of Information Acquired From Exercise Testing Protocols for Exercise Testing Exercise Testing Procedures Other Methods of Cardiac Testing Summary Chapter 17: Dietary and Weight Management Guidelines Basic Facts About Body Weight Dietary Guidelines From National Organizations International Dietary Guidelines Hydration, Energy, and Supplementation During Activity Dietary Guidelines for Special Populations Dietary Guidelines for Various Diseases Summary Chapter 18: Exercise Equipment and Facilities Aerobic Exercise Machines Weights Tools for Monitoring Physical Activity Exercising at Home Exercising in a Workout Facility Summary